The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-18
THE COUNTS HARD EXPERIENCE.

FIDDLE-TREATED WITH BoIsrERoUs RUDE
ROCHELLE
Count Joannes had more than ordinary expert
ence on his appearance Thursday evening before
audience in New Rochelle. 1t appears the Count had
been several days in the village seeking and
Taxation after his long sustained and powerful his
trionic efforts the Metropolitan boards. His
presence soon became known, and a deputation of
citizens waited upon the distinguished actor to re-
quest that he would give some illustrations of
Shakespeare in the Town Hall. The Count was only
too happy to oblge, and he looked forward to
cason that would prove in happy contrast to the
perience he too painfully remembered of New York
audiences. In his minds eye he saw the elite of
New Rochelle. with looks Of wondering admira-
ton. listening in breathless interest to the
music of his voice. All the boys Of the
village were shortly Of the Counts in
tentions, and they prepared to give him as warm
reception as they knew how. They were encouraged
in this by several Of those who waited the Count
and pretended an exalted homage for his genius
an actor but winked their eye in another direction.
The Count has heretofore acted in regular theatres
or rectcd on platforms where there gallery
behind his back and directly his head to
modate his tantalizng foes. The Town Hall of New
Rochelle has low stage platform and gallery
above and behind 1T. On the occasion in question
this gallery was almost entirely screened by national
flag. not in honor OF the Count, but for purpose
that will be presently understood
PREPARING 10 WELCOME THE COUNT.
The organization to welcome the Count was en-
tered into with great spirit It was understood that
he would recte Othellos address to the Senate and
six darkies dressed IN fantastic garb and each one
with dozen labels on him marked Senator" Were
provided and to advance to the stage when
the Count opened in that particular passage. II
also understood that he would give Richard, and
cite the famous exclamation. "A horse horsel my
fnr h.,pa will
work and. OH large scroll OF canvas attached to
roller like school map. was painted picture of
Jackass with head down and heels aloft in the
air. and bearing the inscription "the Counts
hoss.' This was rolled up and fixed at the back
at the prager %a sne 20 Dc
each with a shield as large shovel made out
of common tin, were enrolled and given Samsonian
clubs to carry The chairs and table provided for the
Counts accommodation were frail they could
be made, and when the table gave way the Count
put his hand on it, and the chair landed him upon
the carpet, the audience roared itself sick.
THE COUNT MOVES FOR
The Count was utterly innocent of all the prepare
lions that were being made for his appearance and
there was where the fun more particularly came in
When he reached the hall Thursday evening anu took
notice OF the large attendance and the eighteen po
Hcemen he was agreeably impressed. He said to the
sham captain Of the sham police. yet believing they
were the genuine village law guardians, albeit their
shields had ridiculous magnitude:-"In the words
OF King John, Captain commend me to thy valiant
care. Then the Count, accompanied by Miss Avonia
Jones Fairbanks, passed up to the dressing in
the rear of the STAGE from which he issued and
began his Grafton on the character of Shakespeare.
He wore black frock coat bound all round with two
inches OF black velvet, white vest and purple
scarf in which was stuck some foreign decoration,
probably from the Emperor of Morocco
FIERCE AND wTTaEEINa REBUKE.
He had not been long under way when voices from
the gallery in bass and treble were heard in inter
ruption; but he paid no attention to them and kept
straight on Very soon he was in the middle OF the
part of Richard and as he came to the words. "A
horse! &C., down rolled the map displaying the al
most life size picture of jackass. The roar of
laughter this created completely bewildered the
Count, who was unable to see where the laugh
ill., Presently he turned his head, and, seeing the
cause OF the merriment, put on savage expression
likeness and weep; but want you to understand
that am lion among jackasses" This
ceived with great applause, and he was allowed to
proceed without interruption for five minutes.
WAS IT DAGGER OR BUMBLEBEE
He next tackled Macbeth. and as he reached the
dagger scene a long slender pole like fishing rod
to shoot ont from the gallery above the
head of the Count From the end of it, attached to
bumblebee The Count Knocked it away from his
nose several times without paying any attention to
it. thinking it was fly or spider peculiar to New
dagger see before mel" the thing dropped di-
rectiy under his nose This was the supreme mo-
ment. He grabbed at it with both his hands, but it
| jumped away from him, while the audience went
into commissions. Looking upward he perceived the
SO UNNECESSARILY disguised that he hurriedly
left the stage. While absent the engineer
of the sport was heard to ask of his assistants ii
the cats were ready. string of live cats to be
dropped from the gallery the stage at particular
iuncture. but now that the Count showed signs of
breaking his engagement 1t was resolved to leave
that feature over indefinitely The Count stayed
away but few minutes and was soon into the middle
OF Otheo's speech to the Senate. As lie progressed
he turned around and his eyes rested the six fam
tastic darkes labelled senators standing in row
below the stage Ho folded his his
breast. paused and darted look ut the trembling
coons in front OF him that terrible to behold.
Then he turned away and finished the Grafton.
FEATHER APPEARS
Romeo and Juliet followed. with Miss Avonia Fair
banks as Juliet: The lady was doing her very best
ana prettiest when down tumbled q feather bed be-
side her, and scene of confusion followed the Count
beating precptate retreat the table and chairs
but chivalrousy holding on and covering the fight
OF his fair protege. Now ii was thought the Count
had surely disappeared for good and the lads in the
gallery were getting miserable George Lloyd. the
CHER character OF the village, admiration for
the Count is only equalled by his devotion to the
memory of Tom Paine in state OF neftable
disgust He had intended before the performance
over to come forward and make speech thank
ing the Count for the honor he conferred on the
village. and at the same time make speech
opportunity was lost. Several citizens called on the
Count i'll his dressing and mplored him ve-
turn. but he refused unless the gallery cleared
Then the lights were turned or and the gods think
ing the fun was at an end poured down stairs and
into the street. The lights were then turned up
again. and the Count and Miss Fairbanks came for
| ward amid hearty applause.
WHAT THE COUNT DECLARED.
The Count declared that in all his experience he
had never met such treatment he received in that
hall. II am gentleman" said he. "by birth and
education, u member of the highest court i'll the
land and on an equality with the great and illus
trious of this and other nations. and am filed with
amement that in this little village of New Rochelle
1 should be withheld that distinction which the
proudest kingdoms and individuals are only too
happy to extend" While the Count was absent the
darkies already referred to clambered tho
stage and cut up all manner of antics. hogshead,
which intended to be lowered in the grave
III Hamlet and to be made vocal by ventroquist
hid behind the gallery screen, was prematurely
thrown on the stage by somebody who felt
culinary desire to hit one of the darxics, that
arrangement for the part OF Hamlet missed fire. and
the Count went through the grave scene aud the
lloquy unInoested. Bags OF shavings and of beans.
several baskets of ancient eggs, STUFFED pillows and
many other articles were held in in the gall
lery in the Counts good nature held ont. but no
kicked 80 decidedly ia tho early stages of the
tertainmcnt that the programme not fully
carried out its authors intended desired Still
it was great night for New Rochelle, and will long
be remembered IN its annals.