The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-15

usually attentive to the play, and Peggy
was permitted to walk in the lobby until
she arrived Mt the door of the stage-box,
when gentleman handed her in, with
out Withdrawing his eyes from the cele-
brated performer, and her beau, coun-
try boy, was obliged to remain in the lob
by. Miss Peggy stared about for a
moment, rs ii doubling whether she WAS
in her proper place, till casting her eyes
on the stage, she observed several chairs
unoccupied. 1t is probable this circum-
stance alone would not have induced her
to take the step she did, but she observed
the people on the stage appeared more at
their ease than those among whom she
was standing, and withal much more So
ciable, and as fate would have it, Just at
that moment, Othello, looking nearly
towards the place where she was situated,
exclaimed:
Here comes the lady.
"The senators half rose, in expectation
of seeing the gentle Desdemona,' when
10! the maiden from the country stepped
from the box plump on the stage, and sd-
vanced towards the expecting Moor. 1t
is impossible to give any idea of the con-
fusion that followed; the audience
clapped and cheered-the duke and sena-
tors forgot their dignity-the girl was
ready to sink with consternation-even
Cooper himself could not help joining in
the general mirth. The uproar lasted for
several minutes, until the gentleman who
had handed her into the box, helped the
blushing girl out Of her unpleasant situa-
ton. IT was agreed by all present that a
lady never made her debut on any stage
with more eclat than Miss Peggy"
Cincinnati at that period was the
Athens of the drama beyond the Blue
Ridge, but unlike Athens Of old, she gave
her Thespians something better than a
wagon for their exhibition.
4 :: x X
Such was the state Of the drama in the
West when Edwin Forrest started from
Philadelphia, in the year 1922 to Join a
theatrical company in Cincinnati.
when young with sanguine cheer and strcamers
We cut our csble-launch into the world,
And fondly dream each wind and star our friend"
On his way he met with a few obsta-
Giles, which his youth naturally incurred
These, however, he soon oyercane. On
the route to Pittsburg, at one of the stop
ping places two gentlemen got on the
stage; they were evidently of the better
class, in whose conversation Forrest be-
came much interested, and listened with
much attention. One of the gentlemen
was called by the other General. After
listening some time chance gave him an
opportunity of putting in word, which
he did, and to some purpose, for his two
travelling companions became in their
turn interested. Boy-like, Forrest told
his simple story Of how he made his first
appearance on the stage, and hisambition
to become great actor. "And So" said
the younger of the two, ''you are Master
Forreste am glad to meet you, young
sir, as have heard..you surpassed Master
Payne in Young Norval. But you have
undertaken great task, and at your age
there are so many temptations in your
path that it will require the strength of
manhood to resist
But ! will resist, sir and if live
will carve for myself a name"
''That you will if you maintain the
cl ar .cter you have already, and study
with an eye to that object" observed the
elder traveller.
Mr.. Forrest, in relating this little in
cident to us, laughed heartily while do
ing SO, "for," says he, although but six
teen, / really thought myself second
Cooper, and vain enough to think | was
capable of holding conversation and
maintaining an argument with any one "
One Of these conference.-the younger of
thu. two alluded to-wasSimon Cameron,
and when Mr. Forrest met him in after
years the fulfillnent of his ambitious
youthful aspirations was the subject of
a very pleasing conversation.
In the fall of 1922 Messrs. Collins and
Jones opened the Cincinnati Theater, the
company consisting of Messrs. Collins,
Jones, Scott, Edwin Forrest, Davis,
Ilberle, Henderson, Groshon, Mrs. Pelbv,
Mrs. Riddle, Miss Riddle, Miss Henton
and Miss Eliza Riddle. The opening play
WAS the Soldiers Daughter. Young Nal
fort by Edwin Forrest.
During the season Mr.. PeTby acted as a
star, Forrest playing Titus to his Brutus,
and Julius to his Virginius. 1t will be
perceived that he made hattering be-
ginning, and everything looked bright
before him. With varied success the
company played for short season, and
then proceeded to Louisville. Some diff
Guilty arising between the managers and
a portion of the company, induced few
of the latter to return to Cincinnati and
open the Globe Theater Oh Main street.
At this house Forrest played Othello and
other characters with much success, "but
rather imperfect says An old friend,
with scarcely a knowledge Of the text"
The success lie rather in his appearance
and voice. Mr.. Forrest played Richard
III for his benefit. The same critic said,
after seeing his Richard, 'that he would
in time become Il great actor" In con-
versation with Mr. Forrest in relation to
these early scenes Of his life, he said
"The salary ] got was SO small that was
unable to appear on the street, in decent
dress-boots, particularly gave me the
most trouble, for was compelled to wear
! -, Lo> +,