Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-05-01
EDWIN FORREST.
JeEerson's Pe.ain:scences of the
Unriva1-d Tragedian.

JeEersons Pe.cain.scences Of the
Unriva1-d Tragedian.
An Unlucky Night E!,iscdc-The Trouble
Besan with t;.e i.an.e-s o. the Prop
erty Man an; Only Eade:. When
tho Curtain Went Duwp.
Joseph Jefferson's recollections of Ed
win Forrest (for.aing u part of ''The
Autobiography OF Joseph Jefferson') is
one of the entertaining fca tures Of tho
midwinter number of the Century Mag
azine.
Mr.. jefferson describes Forrest as
handsome fellow, with the form of an
Apollo and strength of a Hercules; his
deep, musical voice under perfect con-
troll, and, in pathetic scenes, full Of
tears.
During my long professional life
met him frequently" adds Mr.. Jeffer-
son, land should say that much OF his
unhappiness--for he was very unhap-
py man-came from an irritable temper,
under little control"
From this article we quote the follow
.ng-an amusing illustration of Forests
ungovernable temper:
engagement" writes Mr.. Jefferson, ''the
company journeyed to Washington,
where we were to open with Forrest as
Metamora-a character that he detest-
ed and one that the public admired.
Forrest was always in a state of intense
irritation during the t. aearsal and por-
Torrance of this drama. Irregularities
that he would have overlooked under
NJ or
nifled to an enormous size, so that when
he donned the buckskin shirt and stuck
the hunting-knife of the American saw
age in his wampum belt he was ready to
scalp any offending actor who dared to
aross his path. The. copper-colored
liquid with which he stained his checks
might literally have been called war
paint
"At the rehearsal the poor property
man, old Jake Search, got into dread
full state of nervousness and every thing
went wrong. The tragedian naturally
held me, as stage manager, responsible
for these accidents, particularly as the
unlucky Jake would conceal himself be-
hind set pieces, or mysteriously disap-
pear through traps as each mishap oc-
buried. In the midst Of this dreadful
confusion principally brought about by
his own i'll humor, Forrest turned on
me, saying that he would not act that
night, and strobe out of tho theater.
hurried through the front Of the house
and heading him off in the alley adj
tressed 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 | was in earnest, and
stopped short to listen as I resumed.
| Mr.. Ford, the manager, is absent, SO
must take his responsibility to the pub
lie on myself. The blunders ON the
stage this morning have been Qnfort-
innate, 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 about
this disorder. Be that as it may, there
is another and still more important
matter TO consider. Every seat in tho
theater is taken for tonight; the audi
ence will crowd the house in cxpecta-
| ton of great dramatic treat, to which
they have been looking forward for
some time,
| est you decline to act, and SO break
your contract with the public, what
course is left for me? Why, only this:
/ must wait for the vast concourse of
people to 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 to 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 disappoin tment, failing to
see the reason as clearly as you may
have done. Nov, consider for mo-
ment. Under these circumstances will
it not be more magnanimous in you to
overlook the shortcomings and go on
with the rehearsal"
HE paused for moment and said: u
will not GO back to the rehearsal. am
too much excited, and my presence on
the stage now will only make matters
worse; but II you will see that details
are attended to, will act tonight
~ promised to do so, and we parted.
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, cautionine
the actors to do what they could K
render the nights performance
ereditable. now began to hunt ur
the delinquent and frightened property
man, Jake Search--an appropriate name
for fellow who needed 80 much look
ing after-and discovered him hiding
under pile Of old scenery. rs ht
gomez said Search. Yes answered
but he will return tonight; 90 see thai
Seeds, Cut Flowers, Funeral Design