The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-06
Rich Actors.


There are very few rich doctors, says
a New York letter, and fewer rich ac-
tors. John Owens was rich. He made
his money by saving, and. lost it in
speculation. Joe Jefferson made for
tune by saving. He rarely spends any
thing; vet more rarely gives. Edwin
Booth is coming money. He had much
at one time, sank it with more belong
ing to his friends, went into bankrupt
cy, to the grief of his creditors, re-be-
gan to work and save, and is now hold
ing on to every dollar with the grip of
avarice. Charles r. Thorne, through
the death of his wife's father, viii enjoy
the income of handsome estate, about
S400, 900, | hear Robson, having found
a Mascotte in the person of William IL.
Crane, has made and kept a small for
tune. Mckee Rankin and his wife have
solid foundation. Maggie Mitchell
and Lolita Crabtree are well off. The
reports of Mary Anderson's money are
exaggerated. She will have fortune
in time if she saves her cash, but she
hasn't it vet. Lester Wallack would
not cut up very fat. Now, what others
are there with money? You can't tell
them. [ certainly can not. The inn
pecuniosity of literary men is well
known, and an editor with n dozen new
shirts would be treat for sore eyes.
Actors spend their money freely and ac-
cept the stern behests of poverty cheer
fully. 1t is absurdly claimed that they
are overpaid That's nonsense. In the
first place actors don't average $50 n
week, and in the next place they get
that only in the season, which averages
thirty-eight weeks out of the fifty-twO.
They really don't get more than $50 or
$40 on an average-the best of 'em. l
think they are underpaid- But if they
are overpaid, how is it with the womenp
They get less salary and have larger
outgoes. How sSp Why, if an actor
has dress-suit and three or four ordi-
nary costumes he's we'll equipped for
season, but the women have to dress
each new part. A dress-coat is a dress
coat in one play as well as another, but
and actress can't wear ball dress, or
any other in fact, in two plays. Then,
too, mems attire costs less. Women
must dress a la mode, and, as rule,
have different costume in each act.
The average actor is a hog.
The average actress is a mule.
How SOP
The average actor looks out for him.
self and cares for no one else.
The average actress supports from
one to five people.
Little as l know, I could tell you
stories of the rudeness, incivility, and
thoughtless selfishness of actors that
would make you cape with amazement,
and / could tell you tales of the heroic
devotion of the women of the stage that
would make you silent in sympathy and
uproarious in admiration. l chanced
to meet two well-known ladies of the
stage last week. One has long been re-
cognized as bright and beautiful orna-
ment of profession and has held a lead
ing position for at least eight or ten
years. The other is younger, but equal
ly well known, bright, charming, and
full of chic! The latter | had heard was
the sole support of quite an extensive
set, but the other / had thought perfect
ly independent and well off. Chance
directed the conversation to Booths
success in London and the expression
of wish on the part of both ladies that
they had been able to spend the sum-
mer on the other side, Surely" said
/ to the elder, ''there is no reason why
YOU should not have gone. You had a
fine position and big salary all last
season. If you had cared to save any
thing you could have done So" With
out answering me directly she turned to
her companion and simply said: '.How
little he knows the truth / subse-
quently ascertained that for ten years
she had supported four adults, has
educated and clothed two growing girls,
and to-day hasn't dollar beyond the
necessities of her enforced idleness until
the season opens.