The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-02-25
BEHIND THE SCENES:
BY PROF. ONYX.

BY PROF.. ONYX,
The impersonalion of Othelo had ended.
AS the curtain slowly tell, cheer after cheer,
each rising in enthusiasm, rang from great
audience that had accorded the entire repre-
sentalion the heartiest applause.
Esteemed rs | was among the Oldest and
dearest frienus of the distinguished actor who
had assumed the leading role, fastened at
the conclusion of the performance TO his dress
ing room, 10 express my congratulations, as
well as my admiration for his wonderful gen
us
Contrary to his wonted smiling demeanor, |
found him silent and absorbed IN what were
evidently painful recollecllons. dark cloud
of gloom had dispelled from his face the sun,
shine of his smiles and he was so abstracfed
IN his reflections that he did not notice me as
| opened the door
Although greatly interested in the real cause
of his sorrow, | nevertheless d,d not wish to
force myself into his confidence, and I was
about to silently withdraw and leave him I'M
disturbed, when he suddenly turned, and no
ticIng me, at once greeted me with the utmost
cordially, apologlzng with most fervent pro,
testalions for his absent. mlndodness
you must really forgive me" was his
greeting; "my manner must indeed have seem
ed strange to you; but you must not forget
that we actors are "A peculiar people. Our best
friends know little or nothing of our inner
lives We must often laugh when the heart
would break, and salute the audience as did
the Roman gladiators:
Ave Caesar moriuntur salutamus.'
Behind the scenes the grotesque comedian
IS often thinking of a sick child at home, the
heavy villain of dying wife, and the gallant
hero of the night Is anXlously lodging his
most importunatc creditors Nay, more-to
show you how often We enact our own lives
on the stage, and repeat almost word for word
our own thoughts, let me tell you an incident
from my own career OF which | was just
thinking as you entered, and which will better
| illustrate The truth.
After spending the better part Of my youth
(he continued) in the life Of an lshmaelite, |
finally secured u permanent engagement in
ono Of our leading cities. The company was
one ot unusual strength, and it WAS indeed a
pleasure to participate in dramatic representa-
IONS of such thorough artistic excellence.
| The zeal which every member felt in its sue
cess was naturally rewarded with splendid au
dicnces and handsome receipts.
"In this little dramatic circle lived happy
and contented, busy only with my profession
and enjoying for the first time in my tempest
uous career the happiness OF permanent and
| lucrative employment. To the dust-stained
traveller in Sahara, the oasis, with It's grassy
lawn, waving palms and bubbling spring was
never more welcome than was this hteoasls
to me. .#..I .....
! Possessed of happiness of which | haC
not dreamed, my content was such that
would not have changed my lot for that of any
CrGsus And yet even greater happiness Wa
destined To be my lot.
| sour manager ever DESTROYS of improving
the company to the tall extent of his resources
lone day announced TO US that he had just en-
gagged young actress, who, In An lncredibl,
short space of time, had earned great repu
ltatlon, and who was to honor our company b.
becoming It's leading lady.
| 81 met her for the first time at a rehearsal
and confess to you that the impression ther
made upon my heart was no light or transitor,
one United with the greatest beauty Flor
ence had the most charming manners and &C
accomplishments of unusual brilliancy, Will
her disposition was such that all hearts wer
won by IT. sweetness and aifabiiity. There wa
not one of US, from the old manager himsel
ldown ~ the latest 'supe,' or the little call boy
who would have thought any sacrifice to-
lgreat 10 please her,
| "IIer first appearance was an event in TIA
lannals of our theatre; and the audience, whicl
lagain and again recalled her before the curtain
lpacked our auditorium to the very doors
And I-snl loved the genial artistic wit
al the Intensity of my nature-ior in her
had at last found my ideal.
AS | ALWAYS played with her IN the sam
plays, my opportunities for paying my &C
ir,ssrs were not lew. Nor vas alone in m
addresses to our fair debutdnte.
Bartleish Wilson, who played the villai
lparts In our representations, was likewise mo.