Telegram-herald., 1890-02-25


nisxfaser nunbsr Of the Century Mag
szine-
Mr.. Je-srson describes Forrest IS
handsome fello~, With the form OF an
Apolio and stesngth Of Heroulesi his
dssp. musical voice under psrfees con
srol. ard, Ia pathetic scenes. f1h OF
tears.
During my long professional me
net atm frequently, adds MI Jsnsr>
son, lad should say that much OF Ms
unh.pufnszs-to hs was very unhap-
nv man-canle from an irritable temper,
ander little control
From this article ws quote tho foiiow-
fn9-An amusing illustration OF FORESTS
unzovernable temper;
AT the conclusion OF the Richmond
engagement" writes Mr.. Jefferson, ''ths
eouruany journeYed 10 Washington,
where We were 20 open with Forrest as
Mesamora-a character that he detest-
cd and one that the public admired.
Forrest Was always In a state OF intense
frrf tatiOn during the rehearsal and per
torrance Of this drama Irregularities
that ne would have overlooked under
ordinary circumstances were now mag
nifsd 70 an enormous size, so that when
he donned the backskin shirt and stuck
she hunting knife Of the American saw
axe in his wsmpum belt be was ready TO
scalp any offending actor who dared to
cross his path The ccpper-colored
Iiauid with which he stained his cheeks
might lterally have been called war
paint
AT the rehearsal the poor property
man, old Jake Search, got into dread
ful stage OF nervousness and every thing
went wrong. The tragedian naturally
held me, "a stage manager. responsible
for these accidents, particularly "a the
unlucky Jake would conceal himself be-
hind set pieces, or mysteriously disap-
pear through traps as each mtshap oc-
Cured. In The midst OF this dreadful
confusion principally brought about by
his own III huElor. Forrest turned on
me, saying that be would not act that
night. and strots Qua of the thester.
hurried through the front OF the house
and heading him of In the alley ad-
dressed him, as nearly as / can remem-
Der, in the following words;
"'Mr Forrest, before you decide upon
This step let me state an important fact.
that perhaps has not crossed your
mind He saw / vas In earnest and
stopped short 70 listen rs | resumed
Mr.. Ford, the manager. is absent, so
must take his responsibility to the pub
lilo on myself. The blunders on the
stage this morning have been unfort-
unats, perhaps culpable, but you must
pardon me for saying that your excited
manner and somewhat unreasonable de-
mands have contributed not little to
confuse the company and bring abous
this disorder Be that as-it may, there
As another and still more important
matter to consider. Every seat in the
thestsr is taken for tonight; the audi
snce will crowd the house in expecta-
ton OF a great dramatic treat, TO which
they have been looking forward for
some time
eft you decline to act, and so break
your contract with the public, what
course Is left for me7 Why, only this:
! must wait for the vast concourse Of
people 20 assemble, and then go before
them and explain the reason OF your
non-appearance. shall have to make
clear statement OF the case, and say
that you have refused 20 act because
there were some slight discrepancies
and irregularities in the rehearsal The
public are, you know. quite unreason-
able when their diversion is checked.
and it Is likely that they will be indig-
nant at the disappointment, failing TO
see the reason as clearly as you may
have done. Nov. consider for mo-
menr Under these circumstances will
IL not be more uagnanimous in you TO
overlook the shortcomings and go on
with the rehearsal
He paused FOR a moment and said: Il
will not go back 10 the rehearsal. am
100 much excited. and my presence on
the stage now viii only make matters
worse; but IL yOu will see that details
are attended to, will act tonight
Il promised % do so, and We parted. I
was only TOO glad to get rid OF him on
those terms. In his then incorporate
state OF mind. went back to the stage
and dismissed the rehearsal. cautioning
the actors 10 do what they could to
render the nights performance
creditable. now began to hunt up
the delinquent AID frightened property
mar. Jake searoh-sn appropriate name
FOR a fellow who needed so much look
ing after-and discovered him hiding
under pile Of old scenery Is he
gomez said Search. Yes. I answered,
but he viii return tonight, SO see tkat
your properties are in good condition,
or be viii b the death Of you.
The night came and matters pro
crossed favorably until the council
scene. one OF the characters here, be-
irg overcome with nervousness, re-
versed his questions To Mctamora. Civ
ing the wrong lines. and Of course re-
reivinr an absurd answer. The audi
ence. recognizing the confusion OF the
dialogue. began 70 laugh, and Of course
this made matters worse. The act
terminates with the Indians great
speech. From The east 70 the west. from
tie north - tho south. the loud cry OF
vengeance shall BE heard and here he
haris his knife into the center Of the
sage. where il 1nivers a defiance ss the
cnrtsin falls IN his anger and excite
rnens The bisde fail-d - stick IN the
stage and bounded into the orchestra,
che handle hitting The double bass
player On The TOP q his head which
vas "a innocent % hair az a billiard
ball 80 ss the curtain came down The
old fellow vas sramring about ard rnb-
a -.