The Irish standard., 1890-05-10

He's nobody, don't y know.
Il George Horton, in Chicago Herald
55HH5E4 -------------...= t5= A4 IT
EDWIN FORREST.
Jehferson's "reminiscences Of the
Unrivaled Tragedian.
An Unlucky Nights Episode-The Trouble
Began with the Blunders Of the Prop
. erty Man and Only Ended When
the Curtain Went Down.
Joseph Jeferson's recollections OF Ed
win Forrest forming part OF s'The.
Autobiography of Joseph Jefferson') is
one of the entertaining features OF the
midwinter number of the Century Mag,
azine.
Mr.. Jefferson describes Forrest as .
handsome fellow, with the form OF an
Apollo and strength OF Hercules; his
deep, musical voice under perfect con-
troll, and, in pathetic scenes, full OF
tears.
During my long professional life l
met him frequently" adds Mr.. Jeffer-
son, ''and should say that much OF his
unhappiness-for he was very unhap-
Nv man-came from an irritable temper,
under little control"
From this article we quote the follow
ing-an amusing illustration of Forests
ungovernable temper:
,"At the conclusion of the Richmond
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 state of intense
irritation during the rehearsal and per-
Torrance of this drama. Irregularities
that he would have overlooked under
ordinary circumstances were now mag
nifed 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
cross his path. The copper-coAored
LIQUID with which he stained his cheeks
might literally have been called war
paint.
cat the rehearsal the poor property
man, old Jake Search, got into dread
full state of 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 mlshap oc-
CURED. In the midst of this dreadful
confusion principally brought about by
his own ill humor, Forrest turned on
ma, saving that he would not act that
night, and strobe out of the theater. l
hurried through the front of the house
and heading him off in the alley adj
dressed HIM, as nearly as can remem-
Dor, in the following words:
"'Mr. Forrest, before you decide upon
this stop let me state an important fact,
that perhaps has not crossed your
mind He saw I was in earnest, and
stopped short to listen as resumed.
Mr.. Ford, the manager, is absent, SO l
must take his responsibility to the pub
lie on myself. The plumbers on the
stage this morning have been unfort-
unate, 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 the
theater is taken for tonight; the audi
ence will crowd the house in expecta-
ton of a great dramatic treat, to which
thew have been looking forward for
some time.
"tIf YOU decline to act, and so break
your contract with the public, what
course is left for me? Why, only this:
I must wait for the vast concourso OF
people to assemble, and then go before
them and explain the reason OF your
mona ppearance. shall have to make
a 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 disappointm failing to
see the reason as clearly as you may
| have done. Nov, consider for mo-
| lnent Under these circumstances will
! it not be more magnanimous in you to
overlook the shortcomings and 60 on
| with tho rehearsal?'
ssHc paused for moment and said: i
will not go back to the rehearsal. am
100 much excited, and my presence on
tho stage now will only make matters
worse: but if you will see that details
are attended to, will act tonight
81 promised to do 80, and we parted.
was only too glad to get rid Of him on
those terms, in his then incorporate
| state OF mind. I went back to the stage
and dismissed the rehearsal, cautionine
! tho actors to do what they could Il
conder the nights performance
creditable. I now began to hunt ur
| the delinquent and frightene property
man, Jake Search an appropriate name
for fellow who needed 30 much look.
| ing aftos and discovered him hiding
under q pilo Of old scenery. IL he
gone? said Searoh. 'Yes,''Y5 i answered.
but he Will return tonight; % zee thai