Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-02-02

During my long professional life l met
him frequently" adds Mr.. jefferson, ''and |
should say that much Of his unhappiness-for
he was a very unhappy man-came from an
irritable temper, under little control"
From advance sheets Of this article we
quote the follow1ng-an am using illustration
Of FORESTS ungovernable temper;
"At the conclusion of the Richmond en-
gagenent,n writes Mr.. jefferson, "the COM
pany journeyei TO Washington. where we
were TO open with Forrest as Metamora-a
character that he detested, and one that the
public admired. Forrest was always in a
state OF intense irritation during the rehear-
sal and performance Of this drama. Irregu-
larities that ne would ave overlooked under
ordinary circumstances were now magnihed
TO an enormous size, so that when he donned
the buckskin shirt aud stuck the hunting
knife Of the American savage in his wam-
pun belt he was ready TO scalp any offending
actor who dared TO cross his path. The cop
psr colorei liquid with which he stained his
cheeks might literally have been called war
paint
AT the rehearsal the poor property man,
old Jake Search, got into a dreadful state of
ne~r vousness, and everything went wrong.
The traseiian naturally held rue, as stage
manager, responsible for these accidents. par
ticularly as the unlucky Jake wouli conceal
himself behind set pieces, or mysteriously dis
appear through traps as each mishap &C.
CURED. la the midst Of this dreadful con-
fusion, principally brought about by his own
I'll humor, Forrest turned on me, saying that
be would not act that night, and strobe out
Of the theatre. hurried through the front
of the house, and heading HIM of in the alley
addressed him, As nearly as | can remember,
in the following words:
"'Mr. Forrest, before you decide upon this
step let me state an important fact, that per-
haps has not crossed your mind He saw |
was in earnest, and stopped short 10 listen, rs
/ resumed: Mr.. Ford, the manager, is alb
sent, SO | must take his responsibility TO the
puDlic on myself. The blunders on the stage
this morning have been unfortunate, perhaps
eulpable, but you must pardon me for saying
thai your excited manner and somewhat uD
reasonable demands have contributed not a
little 10 confuse the company and bring about
this disorder. But be that as It may, there
is another and still more important matter 10
consider. Every seat in the theatre Is taken
fer tonight; the audience will crswd the
house ia expectation Of a great dramatic
treat, TO which they have been looking for
ward for some tine.
"If you decline TO act, and 30 break your
contract with the public, what course is left
for me, Why, only this: | must wait for the
vast concourse VI people 10 assemble, and
then 20 before them and explain the reason
OF your non-appearance. shall have TO
make a clear statement Of the case, and say
that you ave refused 10 act because there
were some slight discrepancies and IRREGULAR
ties in the rehearsal. The public are, you
know, quite unreasonable when their diver
sion il checked, and it Is likely that they will
be indignant at the disappointment, falling
to see the reason as clearly as you may have
done. Now, consider for O moment. Undsr
these circumstances will it not be more mag
unanimous in you TO overlook the shortcom.
ings and 20 on with the rehearsal
He paused for a moment and said; L will
not 60 back 10 the rehearsal ] nm too much
excited, and my presence on the stage now
will only make matters worse; but II you viii
sse that details are attended TO, | will act to-
night
81 promised 10 do 80, and we parted II was
only too glad 10 get rid Of him on those
ltsrms, In his then i~ntemperate state Of mind.
4 went back 10 the stage and dismissed the
rehearsal, cautioning the actors 10 do what
they could 10 render the nights performance
lcrsditable. | now began 10 hunt up the de-
Clinquent and frightened property man, Jake
FSesrch-an appropriate name for a fellow
who needed 80 much looking after-and dis.
covered him hiding under a pile Of old scenery.
is he gomez said Search. Yes | an
swered, but he will return tonight; 80 se
that your properties are In good condition,
or be will be the death Of you
"The night came and matters progressed "a
vorably until the council scene. One Of the
lchsracters here, being overcome with nerv-
-ousness. reversed his questions TO Metamora,
giving the wrong lines, and Of course receiv'
ing an absurd answer. Tbs audience, recog.
hiring the confusion OF the dialogue, began
70 laugh, and OF course this made matters
worse. The act terminates with The Indians