Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-19
"FRITZv AT HOME AGAIN.
A Talk with J. H. Emmef-HOw
He Liked His European Trip.


1t was at the Sturtevant House last
evening that a Tribune reporter
chatted with J. X. Emmet. the actor.
The genial Fritz" said: 81 cannot
understand how the impression got
around here that did not play while
in England, because | met with very
decided success pecuniarily, acting
nine weeks out Of eleven Shat | had
made engagements for"
How did you chance to 60 over?"
well, the idea struck me that /
would like a trip. My friends ad-
vised me not to go. They said the
prejudice against American actors was
very great, that several stars had
made failures, and that | was doing
well enough here. But / went to
Canada, and said to myself now this
will decide whether l shall go over.
The theater at my opening in Mon
treal was well filled, and the people
roared with laughter.
so | decided to go over, because
knew the English character was much
the same as that of the people of Mon
treal. Well, | went, but did not make
any arrangements beforehand. So
found it very difficult to get an open.
ing"
What manager did you see?"
"0nly ChattertOn.
"WhV was thatp'
Because [ had set my heart on ap.
pearing at the Adelphi. So | went tC
him; but he said he had never hearC
of my Fritz That was a damper
After told him | had played Fritz
o ger a thousand times in America, b,
| gruffiy told me to come back in ;
fortnight.
Il did go back every fortnight unit
got tired. then told him | wa
going on the continent, and if b
wanted me to telegraph and | woul,
return. Well, / travelled over tn
continent for Eve months, and neve
heard from him. On my return say
him again, and then went to Brighton
81 had been down there for some lit
| tie time, when one day while in bath
| ing a telegraph boy called to me say
| ing: "Ello ere, is Mr.. II H'emmet ere
| | stuck my head up out of the sui
and replied, Yes | am Mr.. Emmett
he replied, We'll, you just stop divin
for pennies; 'ercS a telegr-a-rme tC
you"
ibid it offer an opening?'
"Yes, one Of two weeks. Well,
went to rehearsal. One of the assist
ants came to me and said: Act
little, Chatterson's shaky. Act a
rehearsal I l said, why | never di
such a thing in my life Well, the
bothered me to act at rehearsal unit
| got mad and asked for my manu-
script, and said | would go back
| America.
Then | got over my mad an
opened to packed house. Before til
performance was over | thought tn
theater would fall, the people laughe
so. OF course the manager was elated
and after that | played to $1,000
week, and only lost two weeks out Q
the eleven. At Birmingham an
Manchester the people laughed so tina
we bad to stop playing"
Have you new play?"
"Yes, one fer which | paid $1,000
But Fritz has changed very much
| have also with me an Irish come
dian that | used to watch from tn
scenes myself, just to see him kick
He is wonderfully quick, and man
can take liberties with in the dia
logue."
ANY other new people2"
"Yes, a little child five years O
age. Not a great wonder, but dear
cute little thing that just suits.
DO you mean to appear this sea
son?"
"Yes. open in st. Louis on th
10Th. My dates are all filed, becaus,
| am entirely done with liquor.
have not touched drop for a year.
never drank convivially, but alway
| by myself, brooding over my troubles
But | am done now.
Whisky nauseates me, and tn
public will find that l keep my engage
ments. But do you know that it wa
not always whisky that made me breal
my engagements. Sometimes wheI
waiting to go on l would have givel
| SlO00 IN cot ont nf IL "
do you intend to finish your hOusr
in Albany"
Yes, indeed, | do. The work i
going ahead nicely, and l expect t,
have nice place. l have spent owe
$1,000 on the grounds alone"
OntInws ON the Ramnage.