Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-10-02
PIayerS' Franks.


stage fright" said veteran &C
tor, "often causes some funny effects
Edwin Forests tremendous voice and
fierce manner used TO alarm the utility
people and supers, and many are the
stories told of him. One of the best is
of O super who had to do little bit OF
business and couldn't manage it to the
stars satisfaction. Forrest did it for
him once or twice in the desired way,
and then growled out, Why can't you
do it as | do? Because, answered the
super, if / could / should be getting
your salary instead of twenty-five cents
nightv Forrest was once about to
play Metamora, and at particular
point desired to turn and ind a utility
man standing close beside him. The
cue for the utility man was to be the
tomahawk of the red man is buried at
the white mans hearthstone' Several
times the cue was given, but the poor
man never got there in time He gave
assurance, however. that it would be
all right at night The moment ar
rived, and Forrest Murdered the speech
with all his might. Then he turned,
but the man was missing When For
rest was in the dressing room after the
act the face of the culprit appeared
through an opening just wide enough
to admit it. L am very sorry, Mr..
Forrest, but / really didn't hear you
give the cue Any other excuse would
have drawn from Forrest torrent of
abuse, but this astounded him. Taking
out five-dollar bill he gave it to the
man, with the words, Didn't hear me
Well, go and see an ear doctor in the
morning.
when eating has to be done on the
stage there is great temptation to play
tricks with the food. During the run
of Henry " at Booths. Bishop, as
Pistol, had to eat leek overy night
1t was made from an apple. But
once Thorne, who was Fluellen,
gave him a real onion, and he had to
struggle with it though the tears
coursed down his fat cheeks. When
Sellers has the dish of turnips brought
In there are always two peeled apples
on the dish. Raymond can't bear
turnip. 1t is poison to him. An actor
removed the apples one night and
Raymond had to struggle with the real
thing. You can bet there was war af.
ter the curtain fell. Matt Snyder, now
stage manager for Robson & Crane, is
an lnveterate practical joker. He was
sitting one day at matinee perform
ance of Uncle Tom Fosberg, who il
exceedingly tall, was playing George
Harris. When he came to the speech
IN which he declares that at the worst
he can earn six feet of free soil, Snyder
arose and said very politely, Excuse
me, Mr.. Fosberg, seven Thank YOU.
Mr. Snyder, seyen,' returned Fosberg.
and went on gravely with his lines.
The boys got even with Snyder last
season when he was playing in 40 with
Rankin. Snyder acted the bibulous
general who has to take three or four
drinks of whisky during the last act.
Cold tea was the substitute all along.
but at the end of the season the bows
got some awful Jersey lightning and
handed three stiff drinks to him. SNYDER
smelt them, but had to drink. The
cruelest part of the joke was that af-
ter drinking the whisky, water is offered
HIM, and he has to refuse it with dis
gust. That night he would have given
50 to cool his throat, but Rankin was
him, and he had to do the
regular business. When people get up
and go out during a scene it is,
Of course, very annoying. A variety
man said to party of young men who
were moving rather noisily from their
seats recently: Pray, don't get up; I'll
have the drinks sent to you.' They
didn't go. Pistols that have been for
gotten, or that have refused to go off.
have caused innumerable trouble to ac-
tors. This year, in Chicago, Bouci-
cault forgot the pistol which he has to
lire from behind the barrel in the last
act of the 'Shaugllraun. Arte O'Neal
and korry Kinchilla engaged in their
desperate struggle, but no pistol came
TO the relief of the virtuous maiden in |
distress. Those spectators nearest the |
'front.' heard this whispered dialogue:
Where's the p;stolY
I've forgot it,
What shall we do?'
Hit him, and he must fall
"Arte raised her pretty little hand |
Ind knocked out the villain with one
blow. But the actor who had to come |
IN and feel the wounded man was not |
for the change, and his refer
,nce to the supposed bullet brought
Town the house. "-NeC York Sun.