Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-09-12
HANDY WITH THE FISTS.
Actors Who Could Hold Their Own
In a Fight.

Actors Who Could Hold Their Own
In Fight.
Edwin Forrest was fighter, and
had the very worst kind OF temper.
Here are a couple OF stories about
him told by one who knew him well,
The doors had Just been opened and
the audience was just beginning TO
come in. The stage was empty aud
dark. The visitor stood talking with
the theater official who had conduct.
ed him there, when they we're startled
by woman's shrek, followed by a
hoarse, inarticulate growl that swell.
ed into a roar, and as they turned TO
the direction whence the sounds en-.
anated they saw woman in white
fairly fly across the stage closely
pursued by big man, who limped ns
he ran and was swearing big oaths
with every breath. ooh, said the
manager in reply to his hurried qucs.
ton. 1T is only Forrest having n
quarrel with his leading lady, and he
added, apologeticaly, they do not
geb along together very well, " The
famous tragedian was playing
at the Globe Theater in this
city what proved to be his last
engagement; he suffered frightiully
from govt in his feet, and il was u
task his dresser greatly dreaded to
put on his shoes One evening when
his feet were very much swollen, the
dresser was having hiscustomary bad
quarter-hour, when anote was passed
IN the door. The envelope was large
and square, and bore a monogram,
and it was addressed in what appear.
ed to be a lady's handwriting One
shoe was on when Forrest opened and
read the note The aristocratic-look.
ing missive read something to this
effect: The writer had been at the
theater the previous evening and
noticed with a great deal OF sympathy
TINT Forrest limped. He hoped the
tragedlan would not permit himself
to suffer long, as by coming to the
writer's address the troublesome corns
would be removed without pain, and
on account OF the writer's admiration
for the actors genius no charge would
be made. The instant Forrest grasp
ed the full import of the letter he let
out a howl, and jumping up with a
suddenness which overturned the
dresser, he began tramping around the
room, throwing his arms around like
mailman and repeating again and
again as he clutched the air with
nervous fingers: '"Oh, il only had
that man herel Oh, il / only had
that man here!"
:. Edwin Booth, who always throw
the mantle Of charity over the weak.
hesses OF his father, tells many stories
OF the great actors testiness and pup.
nacity. Here Is one in Edwin's Ian
gnage: ''My last experience of his vap.
aries was at our final parting on the
ship that bore him forever from me.
He asked sailor on deck to take his
luggage to the cabin. The fellow re-
piled; I'm no turnkey What are
you, sir' demanded my father. I'm
o thief, responded the brute. Instant
ly my father put on his liercest scowl.
struck an attitude and said, Your
hand, comrade, Pm n piratepb Ed.
win Booth himself will fight when oc-
casion demands. Once a discharged
member OF his company went to his
droesing-room and began to bully him.
Picking up a sword from the corner
Booth roared out, "Down on your
knees, you scoundre!, and pray for
mercy, for Pm going to cut yourheart
out and eat 1t before your eyes" The
terrible nature Of the threat frightened
the man into a nervous fit that lasted
some time, and yet he must have
known that Booth was only acting.