Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-02
A BEHIND THE SCENES.
Famous Actors When OF the
Stage.
The Fsvorites of the Sapernu-
meraries and How They Con-
duet Themselves Behind the
&C. sessa.a Smiles
and JanausckeIk's Dignity :
Gossip from Humble Quarters.

O.O~s sssss-S
and Janausckek's Dignity -
Gossip from Humble Quarters.
Philadelphia Times
Those awkward-looking supernu-
meraries.know a good deal about actors
and actresses and have their favorits,
just as the public does, though their
likes and dislikes are apt TO have
nothing to do with art, but rest
wholly upon personal grounds. It
does not matter a straw to them
whether one be exalted in the king
dom Of Thespis or not; if one kind and
social-or say, rather patroniging-
that is all they ask in return for their
infinite good will and their cheering
applause when on off nights they are
passed up front. Now, there is Lolita.
She is just as great a favoritc behind
the scenes as in front. She comes in
with a nod and smile for everyone.
She isn't assuming in the least, and
returns a kind thank you for every
little service. OF course all this is
quite irresistible to the boys, who are
only toe happy to servo her, and some
soft but cunning fellows get in her
way Just TO be asked TO move aside.
The '.supes' Of the Walnut used to be
head over ears In love with her. They
presented her with that elegant banjo
rosewood, inluid with pearl, aud
said TO have cost a hunered dollars
that she uses in her plays. She was
the recipient also of many beautiful
devices in Towers at their hands. All
these marks of devotion Lolita Of
course reoiprocatod. All the old fell
lows are gone from the Walnut now,
so she doesn't receive such tokens any
more. She is accompanied every
where by her mother, and she doesn't
require any further protection. Her
mamma is quite a match for the aver
age man. Petite, ever more SO than
Lolita herself, black-eyed, gray haired
aud quick in her movements, she looks
like an older edition Of the popular
little comedienne. She is methodical
and business-like and has decided
opinions upon certain subjects, partic-
ularly upon the irreproachability Of
her daughters character. Lolita spent
some time in a French convent per-
fecting her education and she speaks
French Aucntly, though with an i'm
perfect accent.
IN FEAR OF JANAUsCUEK.
In striking contrast to the rollicking
little Lolita is the digrifed and mas
sive queen of tragedy, Madame Jan
auschek. Now, the ''supersP don't
like her at all. She is kind hearted.
generous, always ready to help others
but she has such a temperi The
stage manager, the scene shifters and
everybody else about The stage are in
dread of her. She does not fear any
body. She puts her whole soul into
her work, and wishes everything to be
exactly so. During the progress Of
the play she demands silence behind
the scenes, and any noise while she is
on irritates her extremely. Yet off
the stage he is charming. Highly
cultured, gifted and generous, she is
run down with visitors and pestered
with letters. She aids those whom
she believes worthy Of aid, and a
frank, honest end original latter to
Madame is quite sure to meet with a
courteous response.
Raymond's a jolly good fellow. M
airs; not a bit. They say his real
name is 0'Brien. He was quite polr
till he met with the "Gilded Age
golden age to him. lie is a great iav
orite in the West. The s1pers like
him because he has not forgotten that
he was not always SO prosperous. 1t.
makes a greatdiference whether ones
memory be good in that respect or not
NOT only with supernumeraries, but
with everybody.
BOOTHS QUIET DIGNITY.
Booth, Edwin Booth, nearing ffty
years old, stopped, with thoughtful
face and deep black eyes and hair dark
as night, but touched with silver His
distinguishing characteristic is quiet
dignity. There have been many sor
rows in his life and many triunphs.
He looks much like ones ideal cler
gyman. He doesn't have much to say.
Not because he can't. Oh, no He.
too, has a little bit of a temper way
down somewhere, but he is too lofty
TO talk much.
What a nam Clara Norris could
make for herself had she but good
health. She is very pleasant, too, to
those behind the scenes. She was
still quite strong in the days Of which
we write and full o! life. She used to
romp about and laugh and sing and
dance like a little girl. Her nature is
a strange compound. From the JOLT
est romp she would 20 out upon the
stage and play the saddest of parts.
move her audience to tears and then
come off completely exhausted. Now
she is always sick-an interesting in
valid-and takes medicine even upon
the stage.
AJOLLY PAIR,
The FloEences are a Jolly pair. He
is full Of life and fun. He makes a
great deal of money, which be does
not hold very tightly. She is a sister
to Mrs Barney Williams, and an &C
complished lady, speaking several
languages and skilled in music. Like
many other well known dramatic
stars, they are Catholics, and Mrs.
Florence takes special interest in St.
Agnes, New York, which she helped
much to build. The late Barney
Williams, her brother-in-law be-
queathed 5000 to the Fifth Avenue
Cathedral and presented a valuable
painting TO the church of st. Cecilia.
There is always a little gossip float
ing about in the ''supes'" room and
the fellows who 90 TO make up crowds
and armies and Roman Senators at
twenty five cents each performance,
with first nights salary off for the
captain, know a good deal more about
the real elements Of dramatic stars
than the folks who see them through
theater telescopes ever learn.
Muchly Married.
jackson Tribune'an SUM-
A queer practical joke was perpe-
49, -