Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-15

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States and Siam drawn closely together
by mercantile interests, u condition tina
that country WAS heartily disposed il
in favor Of.
"N"NHA"'T AHH Aisr. THE DRAMA
How the Eccentric Actress Led an Au
thor Dance Across the Atlantic.
The gifted Sarah is, as most dramatic
authors arc aware, o most difficult lady t.
have to deal with. Her great reputation
causes her to be extremely capricious Of
to any new character, and, as may be ex
pected, she pays the penalty of fame II
receiving host Of manuscripts which
of course, she never looks at. If she
did, she would soon be in the same con
dition as the unhappy gentleman de
scrbed by Mr.. Toole ut the Thcatrica
Fund dinner, who became lunatit
through the perusal of his wife's dramat
ic pieces. Sometimes when she has be-
wildered n young author in this way, the
drnmatist will go to n friend for advice
Such was the case with youthful genius
who got hold OF Theodore De Banville
that bright witted scribbler who delight.
ed "to take the nonsense ont Of any as
pirnnt for the stage" One day young
man was introduced to HIM hoping that
De Banville would help him.
De Banvllle is n wonderfully patient
fellow, with all his satire. "Sit down,
my friend" said he, politely, "and let me
see what you have under your arm."
"a tragedy said the tyro timidly.
De Banville took the manuscript with O
face as calm ns an Egyptian Sphinx. He
read several pages
what do you think of it?" at length
inquired the author.
1T is capital poetry
"Ah, l thought yol would understand
me. You are poet yourself"
DE Banville looked at the young men
with compassion i'll his eye.
II will tell you n story" said he sol
Emile Bergerat, and his difficulties in the
line Of dramatist so that you may sec
that you are not the only person who i.
in the same predicament
Emile Bergcrat took drama to the
Gymnase and he was very confident ol
success, not without good reason. The
piece wns clever, original, effective. Vic
tor Koning read it, and was charmed.
My dear Bergerat,' said Koning
this is far too good drama to be throw
away upon an average actress; you re-
quire genius, impulse, passion, originali
ty. In short-you require Sarah Bern
hardt.
"'But can she be got?' asked Berger
at.
"'Why not? Sarah--if once you cal
persuade her to look at the part-will SET
immediately what sensation is in store
for her and interest herself.
Forthwith started Emile Bergerat Il
find the gifted Sarah. He followed he,
from town to town, generally coming toe
late or too early to see her.
Madame Bernhardt is too fatigued, -
he would be told. Come in the morn
ing No sooner lad Bergerat swallowed
his breakfast than he would be at hei
hotel.
"'Not awake yet. Come at noon.
Midday came md Madame Bernhardi
had gone to rehearsal.
'Bergerat sometimes waited through {
performance in hope Of speaking to the
great actress on her way back to the ho
tel, but somehow he always missed her.
Frequently it happened that he wen
quietly to bed thinking he would be Ger
tain to catch her ere she started in the
morning alas for his hopes More Of
ten than not Madame Bernhardt Travelled
all night after leaving the theatre, ant
slept-if she sleeps-in the carriage, the
train, steamer or diligence.
SAT last the persevering dramatist
caught her. 1t was past in the morn
ing. Sarah had stopped for chat will
her manager. The great nctress is mo-
ill-natured. She felt that Bergerat hat
the right to an interview after the troubl,
he had taken.
Give me your manuscript she said
'or better, come and read it to me- 'Yo,
are fatigued Mile. will come in tn,
morning In the morning / shall b,
one hundred leagues from here, said thu
actress. Come, will listen while 1 sup.
"The author could not resist. HI
joined her at the hotel, and the manu-
J script, torn md crumpled with constan
travel, looked dingy enough. Bergera
: went through it. Dawn peeped into tn,
apartment as he finished. He apologize,
, and he could not and would not trespas
longer on her time, but would call mex
day. He did Sarah had started for AL
giers. .Bergerat's time was his own. II,
: would 60 to Algiers also. They met a
the landing place. 'Ah, my friend, sait
the actress, Your first act is master
piece. we must nave talK ABOUT IT.
oh, thanks, Mile. Meanwhile -'bu
) Mile. Bernhardt had gone. When mex
! they met it was on board ship. Not tn
same snip. The vessels passed in tn,
Atlantic. A message came to hin
through a speaking trumpet Good day
Bergerat; We must settle about you
| play soon !!
another time they actually met on tn,
same vessel, we might try it here, sal,
Sarah. 1T would be good iden, re
sponded the author, and then If yo,
have any alteration to propose ! coul,
make them for your return to Paris.
But alas for Bergerat! The vessel wa
, injured by an iceberg, and the passen
gers were taken On board other ships
There was no room for the dramatic au
! thor in the first they met, and he los
sight OF Sarah for 4 year. When mex
they met it was on Broadway. New York
"A dress Of delicate rose tint will b.
: best for the fourth act, cried voice il
) his ear. He turned. 1t WAS Sarah. Sh
was in an open carriage going to the thea
tire. He followed, was delighted. Wen
to her hotel. Maledictionl Sarah ha,
started three minutes after the curtail
fell for San Francisco.
; "Weary and respondent Beraerat cav