Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-11-29
ALEXANDEk DUMAS.

The first lay OF Dumas ever present
eel at the Theatre Fraucai~, say Paris
ruTr,-uuudvuJ, was called "thri>tinC,'
which h:Id for IL eliminating point of
interest, Jh" murder of Nuualdc,chi by
Queen Chri~tiana. At tine lir~l reading
Of the piece Dumas WAS asked 10 r"ad
two scents twice. Then, ~ the end,
Fimuiu. Ih" Successor 90 Ialmn. said &"
Dumas that thu committee Wa> greatly
embarrassed.
"Why 81. asked the author.
"Hrcau~r the committee cannot de
eide whether the pirc' = classic or
romantic.
That matters MOI - long a. it ia
good play
"Wru, sir. the truth OF the matter i
the committee cannot tell that either.
Il was then agreed that Dumas should
20 with F'irmin To visit certain VI.
Picard, an old critic whose judgement
was supposed L. be infaliiblr. Picard
took pinch of snuff and the mauu-
script. and told his visitors to call again
i'm a week. At the time appointed the
actor and the author presented them
selves before the critic.
".Nh!" said the jUdgr, Il expected
YOU"
well, " said Firmin.
well" repeated Dumas.
"Havc YOU any means of living apart
from literature" asked the mighty
critic, ~ ne took pinch of snuff.
Il have, sir, Il position under the Dur
TOrleaus which brings me i'm l,jDJ
frames - year" was the reply.
..ri'I,.,, l,a.l- In N,lIr nn.t " -giI
Picard. handing him the manuscript,
YOU will never do for literary work. "
VI. Dumas, like Daniel Webster, was
q poor hand TAT paying hiSper>onal debts.
Notwithstanding his facility for work,
hc generally had out more promises
than hr could keep. Once upon time
hr t;,d received for Il novel an advance,
with tie promise of more on delivery,
from "nv "t the great Paris publishers.
The time came, Tut the work was not
Yet commenced. II promise You faith
FULLY that You shall have itin five days, ="
aid hr To the publisher. lie wen, out
for walk and met Paul Boragr.
Have YOU need Of any money" ask
I'll Dumas.
"Oh. YES" was the reply; my rent
i due and the devil of landlord
threatens 10 turn me oUU il | dpn't.pay
him"
Then go home and bring me- in tour
DAYS the first volume of y romance.
Paul worked hari, finished the novel.
and called on Dumas. II Wa, T. clock,
hut the great writer was still ia bed.
How unfortunate" >ajd he, YOU have
arrived too late The money Ms there,
i'm lhat drawer kept il r,iigiou>ly Tor
YOU. But last might ! had Il visitor.
Poor child, she knew not whvr" else to
20. Mile. \. OF The Gymug>r, Nnl
know her. Shcwrntaway 1u hour ago.
first helping hcr>rltt, what was in the
drawer. Parh1u, ~hr iil not lr':y.' "a,
me- -uu.
"Bur my remit" exclaimed Br'IGr.
Il shall -. tU!nrd GA; =. inpr-.'
TAX. this ~ vuuv crU"l-h"aJGi laud-
loryi." said Dumas, handing his visitor
q earl ON which was written: Eight
DAYS after date will pay u M pn,i"ur
the landlord OF my friend, Paul BprtE =,
E-rO." and his signature. The descent
daulS ofrhi> Landlords Nfiil pD>,.'~> this
aut.urtph.c caIri, for, - ! have ~J.d
Dumas never paid anything when tie
could help il. STAY, one mdidCDt - tn
contrary HIS iNf'li iIll4lt4''lAN'As " ~
livm. at his country seat NJ Monte
triSto, near ~. Germain. On" lay ~"
of the garronS Of the Pavilion Henri IN.
asked for IN ice, at Il time when ices
were very rare and quite costly, ami the
matte dhDtcj would not iS>ur them II
any one except those whom H. knew.
He refused the garcOn.
But i, is FOR NJ. Dumas" Slid the
waiter
For Dumas" Hum. l. that trU':
YES, sir, perfectly 80"
VERY wen. then;take il "a hint" But,
when the garrOn had got his ice cream,
ne laid down the money for it, where
upon the landlord exclaimed:
"yyhat. You are paying for it, >
"HeS," was the reply.
And you said ii was for NJ. Dumas.
Certainly"
Then you have not told methe truth