Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-01
ssSUPERS, ON TIE STAGE.
Comic Doing. of rne.. Humble rl.ye,

AesCi1Ueu DIS SeItS VI Tie stage. TOT WlOm
there is no manumission. Let them work
as hard as they will, play their parts as
we'll as they may, their merits meet scant
recognition either before or behind the
curtain. For the wages of some three.
pence an hour, they have to submit to be-
ing bullled and badgered, and put to all
manner of personal discomfort. Still,
with sense of inferiority, the super con-
siders himself an actor. He treads but
the lowest rung; but his foot is on the
theatrical ladder. The climbers above
may superciliously ignore the connection
but he feels that he, too, is an actor, and
sometimes asserts his fellowship-ike the
poverty stricken fellow who publicly hail.
ed David Garrick as his ssdear colleague, y
on the score that it was his growing that
made the ghost of buried Denmark start
like guilty thing upon a fearful sum
mons; and the less obstrusive super, who,
when told of Macready's death, exclaim-
ed.
''Ah! another of us gone!"
1t is recorded that French super,
playing an assistant footman in popular
oprea bouffe for the first time, fell down
in fit, brought on by the excitement
consequent upon his having to create a
role.' Too much zeal is always incon-
convenient At a performance not very
long since of "Richard ILL., the armies
contending at Bosworth were so carried
away by professional ardor that the
mimic tray came very near the real
thing; and one gallant archer introduced
himself to the managers notice with an
arrow through his nose. so astonishing
that gentleman that he salyed the wound
with half a sovereign. The next evening
the casualties rose to such alarming pro-
portions tina: a like treatment would have
well-nlgh exhausted the treasury.
Considering how often the super
changes his nationality, one would ex-
pect him to be too thorough cosmopoli-
tan to cherish any insular or continental
prejudices. They nevertheless have their
sympathies and antipathies.
"Shure, sir" said an Irishman who
had for some nights died a glorious
death fighting for Fatherland, sits
mighty unpleasant TO have to be a Ger
man; I'd rather play Frenchman."
He had to be contented py receiving
the managers assurance that if he con-
tinued to work up his agony we'll, he
might be permitted to change his uni
form at the end Of the month. Greater
success awaited a stalwart navy, who,
after crossing the Danube several times
at Alexandra Park, declared he must
"chuck it up" if he he could not be a
Turk. His desire was granted, and the
next afternoon he was pitching Russians
into the water with will.
Somebody-we think Mr.. Dutton
Cook--tells good story of an accessoiye
once attached to the Porte ST. Martin
Theatre. M. Fombonne had won man
agerial praise for the adroitness with
which he handed letters or cotfee-cups
upon salver, and his excellent manner
Of announcing the names of stage guests
and visitors. Naturally enough, he
thought his services might be more
liperally rewarded, and made his thought
known
monsieur Fombonne," said the man
aeer, 81 acknowledge the justice of your
application. I admire and esteem you.
You are one of the most useful members
of my company. we'll know your worth
no one better"
Glowing with pleasure at this recog-
milton Of bis merits, NJ. Fombonne, with
one of his best bows said:
II may venture than to hope"
'By all means, Monsieur Fombonne,"
interrupted the manager. Hope sus-
tains us under all our Affections. Always
hope. For my part, hope is the only
thing left to me- Business is wretched.
The treasury is empty. Icanpot possibly
raise your salary. But you are an artist
and therefore above pecuniary consider
alton. do not, I cannot offer you money
but can crafty laudable ambition.
Hitherto you have ranked only as an
access0ire; from this time you are an ac.
tor. / give you the right of entering the
green room. You are permitted to call
Monsieur Lemaitre mon comrade; to thee
and thou Mademoiselle Theodorine. I
am sure, Monsieur Fombonne, that you
will thoroughly appreciate the distinction
[ have conferred upon you"
The manager read his man rightly; the
promoted accessoi1e was more than salts
fed.
Not SO we'll pleased was the English
super who asked for rise, pleading that
he had been playing his part with the ut
most care and zeal for hundred conse
cutive nights. The manager inquired
what part he played.
sWhy, SIR" said he, 81 am in the fourth
act; have to stake twenty pounds in the
gambling scene"
VERY WE'LL" quoth the manager: "from
to night YOU shall double the stakes.
"Was it the same manager, we wonder.
to whom Mr.. Sala's small super
came crying for redress of his griev-
ance? He has been cast to play double
four" in pantominic game OF animated
dominoes; but the dresser had allotej
double four to his brother Jim, and in
sisted upon his being contented with don.
ming the tabard of 'sfour and blank"
He had protested, he had howled, he had
punched Jim's head, without effect.
sWhat am I to do2" the little pantomi
mist cried. "I'd sooner give up the pro-
fession than be took down so many pegs
without never 'avin' done nufin.''
"Never mind, my boy" replied the
amused stage-manager, "you shall play
double four; and if you behave yourself
properly till Boxing Night you shall play
double-six."
That little fellow would never have
made such mess of his Cuisines" as did