Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-24

observable. One night he was in a Broadway
theater where Booth was the OCCUPANT of n
proscenium box. The taciturn tragedian was
the central and silent figure in a group of
sycophantic, hero-worshiping acquaintance as
usual, and many observers wondered whether
ne was suffering from their obsequious atteu-
mons as keenly as he seemed to be- or whether
ne secretly enjoyed the adulation. That cues
tion Is puzzle to persons close to Booth and
conyersant with the eccentricities of his penius
de has never publicly spoken or written a word
OF theory or opinion regarding the drama; he
cannot be led into conversation with casual
acquaintances on the subject, and if ever he
utter MS views on topic of the stage it is
9Ille eonndentlaliy to very intimate friends
The writer once went to him with a request to
contribute an article to periodical published
at falr held by the famous Seventh regiment
score OF the most eminent men in the coun-
try had consented, but Boath firmly declined.
81, down there, he san. pointing politely
to chair beside a table on the verand. of his
summer villa. and help me with the beer and
tobacco. He was smoking clay pipe and he
began to fill another froI3 a canister Of tobacco
that stood on the table. Il can't offer you a
cigar, because l haven't one l like a pipe
better. And this pitcher contains ale that q
been bottled. Iprefer it that way
NO most OF a stranger was ever more gracious
But he would not talk at all on theatrical TOPICS
he chatted and listened when other things
were under discussion but as to the errapd Of
theories OF acting, and couldn't express them
Interestingly if he had them. Now. how does
ne hnd any satisfaction In the society of the
men WHO hIled that theater box. and his cars
WIN conversation about theatricals?
BOOTH AND SULLIVAN AS TEAM
1t was on his way out Of the theater that
Booth encountered Billy O'Brien. The actor
was leaning heavily on cane as he walked,
and his decreptitude was painfully manifest
billy joined him In the passageway and bluntly
yet politely said: '.Ir. Booth. I m Billy Brien.
the sporting man. I've handled some of the
pest men III the prize ring. What you want to
do Is to get to work"
1t Is q fact that Booth, although compelled
by bad health 10 abandon the stage at the very
Time n4ed upon for long New York city
engagement, is better when acting; and 80 the
proposition commanded his attention He
hobbled along beside the impairment sport
and gave ear 10 him.
I've. I've got D scheme, and I'll give it to you
straight, Billy went on earnestly. You want
10 double up with John l.. Sullivan
Here the traSedian calculated 'sEh?" en-
courasingly, for he thought that Some plan
ior penen s exercise was in view. Billy con-
Orlando in AS You Like Ii and sullivan hell
play the wrestler. See?''
what the great actor saw may have been a
Vision OF himself in a wrestling match with tine
erea' siugSer. and, aside from any purely ar
doubling up with John L., the probability
OF more material harm may have arisen Wv
iciy TO his mind. He glanced at Billy uer-
piexedly and passed on. The demerted snort
ing nan died with the scheme Of a Booth-Sulli-
van combination IN his muddied mad.
THE cARMENcIrA FAD.
The case of this Spanish dancer. Carmenci.a
Is illustrative Of the fact that the unexpected is
what usually happens in the show business.
She was a ballet dancer in the theaters Of Spain
at wages Of never more than $40 week that
being lair remuneration in that country of gar
he and brunets- During the Paris exposition
she Inquired among the Spanish adjuncts as an
exhioH OF the peasant dances Of her country.
and her pay was doubled. American mana
gers were on the lookout for novelties to bring
across the ocean, and two Of them decided that
CerEencita would prove a profitable import
They bid against each other, until one of them
offered slO0 week for a term Of four months
In spectacular piece here in New York her
eontortive dancing did not please the specta-
tors much, and she engaged another manager at
the hundred dollar salary. having signed n con-
tract for year. Then the strange thing hap
pened An artist, desiring TO amuse a gathering
OF friends IN his studio, hired Carmencita to
dance before them Paul Dana of the Sun saw
the performance and was so struck by its nov
city that he ordered the publication of a long
Illustrated article about Il. That started the
Carmencita boom. Other Journals followed
with depletion. IL became a fad for parties of
iashionable ladies to I'LL the boxes. The Wander
oilts and the Astors had Carmencita dancing at
their receptions. Other Spanish dancers, real
anc imitation. but nearly all of them quite as
excellent as Carmencita, were EMPLOYED in the
traveiinS farces and burlesques, until now all
American cities have had all they want Of them
Carmencita Is famous, and she can 60 back to