, 1889-09-05
CRANE AT THE WIGMAKERs.
A Curious Reminder OF Old Triumphs
Found by Chance in a WigmaRer's

ShOp.
4 little distance below Fourteenth
street, on Fourth avenue, says a New
\ Iork paper there is u modest looking
little establishment occupying the base
incnt floor of one OF the old fashioned
dwelling houses now turned into stores,
which Is known To- every actor and act
ress in the theatrical profession. The
master of the place is u stout, broad
shouldered, rather good looking German,
and he has made wigs for every actor of
distinction on the stage, as well aS for
many more actors OF no distinction at
all.
The walls of his store, which is bright
and spotlcssly clean looking, despite its
humble position, are hung with photo
graphs OF all the leading people, from
John Mccullough and Edwin Booth 10
Francis Wilson and DeWolf Hopper
and across every photograph is scrawed
the more or less picturesque autograph
of the original, with word or two of
friendly dedication to the wigmaker
IL was in one of the rear rooms of this
queer little place that a broad-shouldercd
man, with the somewhat weather. beaten
countenance that belongs to the amateur
sailor, sat in u chair the other day with
u towel pinned about his shoulders. The
good-humored wigmakor was trying on
one wig after another, and Il starblng
I
with each change of hair. During il all
he chaited the artist IN hair, who, to do
him justice managed to hold his own
pretty we'll. The man in the chair was
] William III. Crane, and lie was trying on
the wigs nc is to wear during the forth
coming season.
First in order was smooth, youngish.
looking head of blonde hair, which made
him look like a lad of q or %, and
I "a fI to Ha In IA. Il e
"rhe Balloon then camo u partially
bald, but rather fOppish head OF hair,
which, with the proper application OF
/ grease paints will make Crane into the
counterfeit presentmont of the middle.
aged hero of ION Probation" while Net
another wig of gray, bushy hair, with n
distinct comedy touch in its arrange.
ment, and with the addition of pnir ui
characteristic side whiskcrs, transformed
| him into the living likeness of Papa
I ferrichon, the central figure of Labiche's IS
/ famous comedy OF "Le Voyage de NJ.
4 Perrichon."
After the wigs had all been tried on
and fitted and the necessary alterations
| pointed out and decided upon, the party,
which included one or two interested
spectators, adjourned to the front part
Of the store, and hGru the wig-makcr had
u surprise for the actor. "DO you reCog.
niZe thatP' he asked as he threw on the
counter a rather disreputable old wig,
with bald forehead and curly brown
hair at the sides Crane glanced ut 1t,
and then, with shout of amazement
exclaimed, "Why, | haven't seen that
for years." and llen he explained that
this was the original wig he wore as
Colonel Elevator in "Our Boarding
House" Perching it on top of his
head he added, "This wig helped to
bring Robson and Crane together" for
it was his portrayal of the leading part
in the "Bonrding House that gave him
his fist New York reputation and
brought about the partnership with thc
elder comedian. There was queer, pa-
thetic strain underlying his mirth as lac
handled the dingy scrap of muslin and
hair and ordered II 10 be packed curc.
| fully up and sent to his hotel, which
showed that memories of the old days
with ull their struggles and triumphs,
were evoked by its contemplation, and
thus one al least of the spectators found
II touch of sentiment where II was least
to be cxpected--in theatrical wig max.
/ orr = snnn