The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-30

Norton is very enthusiastic about his
project, and in conversation recently
with Louis Aldrich INDUCED in many
"reminiscences of his hero. One mutual
recollection which they had 1 VIII repro
duce here:
Many years ago, when Davenport was
a member of one OF the Boston stock
companies, at the close Of the season he
Joined with a number of his fellow act
ors and actresses (whos were engaged in
other organizations playing at the HUB
in what was then known as a ''snap"
company, meaning thereby a sort of Co
operative dramatic organization which
during the idle summer season Travelled
from town to town4 and divided what
ever profits might accrue. This partic-
ular company included, besides Daven-
port, such now famous people as Frank
Mayo, Agnes Perry-she IS now Mrs.
Agnes Booth and the:leading lady Of the
Justly famous Madison Square Theatre
company-Louis Aldrich and John W.
Norton. They played through the east
ern towns, but, the tour being decidedly
unsuccessful, decided to disband after
filing an engagement Of three nights in
a certain Massachusetts, town.
When they reached that city they were
quartered at hotel which adjoined the
small theatre in which they were to APP
pear, both being owned by the same man
and both being equally dirty. This hotel,
however, lured travelling players to its
embrace by the ensnaring suggestion
that they could walk directly from their
hotel apartment through q private pas
sageway into the theatre dressing room.
After the members Of the SNAP COM
pany had attempted to partalie Of their
first meal in the hotel they waited upon
the landlord in body and demanded
that they be given edible food, to which
the boniface independently responded
that if they did not Like what was fur
nished them they could go elsewhere.
Aldrich, Davenport and Norton acted
upon this delicate hint, and with carpet
sacks in hand walked down the street
to the opposition house several blocks
away.
The last night Of the Lowell engage
mert the bill comprised THE Stranger"
in which Agnes Perry took the part of
Mrs. Haller, and Frank Mayo essayed
the role OF the somber Stranger. This
was to be followed by the farcical
"Dlacll Eyed Susan" in which Louis
AldIich was cast for the Admiral, John
w. Norton for Capt. Crosstree, and Mr..
Davenport, Of course, for William. In
the latter play, as every one who has
seen it will remember, William is found
guilty Of striking Crosstree, and the Ad-
1niral sentences him to be hanged from
the yard arm, concluding with the sol
emn words, land may God have mercy
on your soul" Upon this particular oc-
casion Louis Aldrich spicd, sitting in the
front row of the theatre tle landlord Of
the hotel, accompanied by his three
buxo1n daughter all evidently pleased
with the play and with themselves.
Aldrich's soul thirsted for revenge.
When the sentence Of pooc William had
to be pronounced the words Of the play
were subjected to most remarkable
change. u sentence you," said the Ad-
miral, ''to board at the - house for
two weeks, ard may God have mercy on
YOU" Davenport at first looked stunned,
and then gave one wild, delirious shrek
Of laughter; the landlord and his daugh-
ters sprang to their feet and rushed from
the place, while the entire audience held
its sides and ached with laughter.
L. n. MEGARGEE.