The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-14
FRANK LANGLErS FATE.
Tho Hines. OF the Young Actor who Helped
MIKE Brn.." SuccessfuI

No one who has ever seen George Fawcet
Rowc's comedy. Brass" can soon forget
the picture Of the little nervous High Church
curate rs exhibited in Frank LanGlcy's iniper-
sonation Of the Rer. Hordtio Tibbeus. This hit
of character acting was one Of the hits Of the
pi zee. and did much to give it its popularity
For year and more Mr.. Langley has been lost
to the puhlic-not because he was not worthy OF
thu publlc's favor. but because he was forced TO
abandon his profession on account OF Illness.
He lies in his room in Lexington avenue
slowly wasting away with consumption but
still cheerful. hopeful. almost happy. He is
only ghost Of his former SELF. His voice Is
almost gone: he is very deaf and s thin and
pnlc. As no lay in his bed Yesterday. Mt his
elbow stood table on which were several books.
conspicuous among them being a Bible.
prayer book and the memoirs OF a celebrated
clergyman
Sir. Langley was glad to 500 his visitors He
spoke little Of his illness. hut much about his
profession
Il was in Woods Museum" he said. " for a
time. chose to go there rather than remain in
idlencss. While there played more than 40
different unrts. Speaking to Miss Clara Morris
about 1t once. said that 1t was probably good
experience for M" II is no experience at all
she answered. II il pure drudgery You have
no time to get aconception q any one part
than In simply learning thu lines. There il the
! study " the character. That taxes time ana
| thought Putting yourself in the spirit OF II
| determni what YOU would do were you
| placed in lust such circumstances rs the char
| actor is supposed 10 be in. There is not enough
| OF that done 10y American actors
Mr. Langley spoke Of his success in Brass y
| that in critical Roston tho minute shades Of ex-
| preston TINT had cost him much study. and On
/ which he prided himself had been appreciated
! 10y the rritice. He spoke kindly % his iricnds
! lHl 49, tn 10 hon ~ IL
| Harkins the actor. Chandos Fulton. DR.. Merrill.
| and Mr.. Daniel G.. Gillette.
" have known Frank Tor years. said DR.. A.
! r. Merrill. g and he IA II genuine good fol-
| Iowa gentle sensitive. cgnscientious man.
lie used g. be- clerk y the Treasury Depart
! ment in Washington :thcn he was hookkeeper
/ in Howelis Photographic ESTABLISHING NJ. and
then, Mt the suggestion OF Mr.. Joseph jefferson,
believe. he went on the stage. Jefferson ad-
! that he had talent: but II WIS uphill work for
| Trlnk had neither influence nor money His
parents are both dead, and he is ,poor. He
| has friends. though. Mrs. John j. Knox o.
Washington called recently and seemed much
was a regular attendant ut church and aworker
! IN the sunday school; He IS certainly no oril-
subscription was Circulated among the PROBES;
| sion for him. Montague took one paper and
said he would circulate il at Wallack's Instead
gave 800. aud said nothing about IT, We
never knew for long time that he didn't col
That WA" was an Iius,ra,i@on' oi his seneros.
itv. Then there was talk OF a benefit. and
Mr.. Harkins and Mr.. Fulton worked ne
lively In tho matter. but i fell through. Tnt
money that wo collected Is carly al gone
Their. ought % bee benefit for Langley Tie de-
serves H. II honesty md II love for the rrofcs
sion 20 for anytA.ng; And No hHs set NJ hear
upon 1t. too. / really believe he'd rather di'
tnan not have n heuelt, even n no ditn get
cent " money; for he thinks it would show ihn
h. IL not al absolute nonrn'ty IN the Iroirs
sion. Actors arc proyerbialy generous. ant
when they know tho circun stances of theu
brother a Tor am sure that they will come I,
his aid"
Mr. Chandcs Fulton said " Langley was borl
| in pann-vlvaria. He was Tor ttmo in u de
parime.. In Washington under Zlch Chandler
whose profanity so Disguised Frank TIM
| he resigned. He WIS educated for IN
| ministry IL first came into notice IN tho Iarl
Thcntrr whore h. played IN Sellers. III
VI Ehiv Dollar md in. Brass In the last b
/ made DO 'idcd hit. II is n curious fact iha
tue author ot TIE piece objected TO his takin
the part 90. the rurac up to the very last, and yt
part was the hit OF tho play