The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-02-27

| crty Man and Only Ended When
| the Curtain Went Down.
| Joseph Jefferson's recollections OF Ed.
win Forrest Corning part Of "The
Autobiography of Joseph Jefferson") Is
one of the entertaining features Of the
midwinter number Of the Century Mag.
axine.
Mr. Jefferson describes Forrest as q
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 I
met him frequently" adds Mr.. Jeffer-
son, "and 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 tho follow
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-
formance Of this drama. Irregularities
that he would have overlooked under
ordinary circumstances were now mag
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
cross his path. The copper-oolored
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 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 miskap oc-
Cured. 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 the theater. I
hurried through the front Of tho house
and heading him of in the alley ad-
dressed him, us nearly as I 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 / 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 unfort-
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 1t 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-
tion Of great dramatic treat, to which
they have been looking forward for
some time.
"'If 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 conoourse Of
people to assemble, and then 60 before
them and explain the reason Of your
non-appearance. shall have to make
clear statement of the case, and sag
that you have refused to act because
there were some slight discrepancies
and Irregularities In the rehearsal The
public are, you know, quito unreason-
able when their diversion Is checked,
and 1t 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 q mo-
ment. Under these circumstances will
1t not be more msgnanimous in you to
overlook the shortcomings and 90 on
with the rehearsal%
HE paused for moment and said: u
will not 60 back to the rehearsal. I 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. I will act tonight
II promised to 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, cautionin9
the actors to do what they could to
render the nights performance
creditsble. ! now began to hunt up
the delinquent and frightened property
man, Jake search--an appropriate name
tor fellow who needed 70 much look
ing sfter-and discovered him hidins
under . pile Of old scenery. IL 10 :
Gouer said Search. Yea ! answered.
but - VIII sstpsn tp-aiGat( - ~ ~