Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-17
BoULANGER AND ADA hEuAN.
An Attempt to Embrace tho Actress Be-
hind tho Scenes ut Days.
New York Sum

New York Sun.
In the fall of 1881, Mr.. Blaine, then
Secretary of State in the cabinet of
President Arthur, sent for Creighton
Webb and urged him to act as escort for
the representatives of the French GOV
eminent at the Yorktown celebration.
II was just such function as Creighton
Webb delighted in, and Mr.. Blaine
knew it, and when he turned the French
officers over to Mr. Webb he assured
them that they would be well cared for.
Mr.. Webb really outdid himself, and he
is host who has few equals and no
superiors in this city. He struck up a
cordial intimacy with Boulanger, and
although he soon saw that Boulanger
was forever acting, yet his antics highly
amused MIR. Webb, so that he thought
that there was more delight in the
society of Boulanger than there would
have been in looking at comedy upon
the stage.
One day 1t occurred to Mr.. Webb that
the French officers would be entertained
by visit to Days Theatre, and an in
tlmation to that effect sent to Mr.. DAILY
brought speedy reply in the shape Of
Mi. Days compliments and his assur-
ance that he would be highly Lonored
II the party would accept couple of
boxes. The party made quite distin-
guished appearance when it was gath
cred in the boxes, and when between
two of the acts it was suggested that
perhaps Bouanger and his friends
would be glad to meet the actors and
actresses behind the scenes, Boulanger
became quite excited. He was going to
suggest that thing himself. He would
be charmed to meet such delightful per
sons. so they were escorted behind
the scenes and introduced to some Of
the leading members of MIR. Days
company.
When Boulanger was presented to
Miss Ada Rehan he manifested A little
100 conspicuous delight. He chatted
Win her politely enough for few
moments, but was so demonstratlve that
she was anxious to escape him. AT
last, as she turned TO leave him, Boulan-
ger allowed his ardor to got the better Of
nm, He. seized Miss Rehan by the
manu- and attempted 10 embrace her.
and when she resented this familiarity
with an anger which was not simu-
lated, he seemed to think that ii
was merely the custom, and he grew
much more vehement. At last he
was violent, and Miss Rehan, now
thoroughly alarmed, called for help, and
~ an instant there was scene. Some
OF the male members of Mr.. Dalys com
pany laid violent hands on Bouanger,
and one OF them would have thrown
HIM to the floor had he not been re-
strained. IL looked for an instant as
though there surely would be fight
there. In the confusion Miss Rehan
and the other women escaped, and the
men were left standing face TO face
ready TO give and take punishment. The
tact OF Mr.. Webb however, saved Mr.
Days stage from scene of actual and
not mimic personal encounter. MIR.
Webb assured the company that Boulan-
ger, having been accustomed to life be-
hlnd the scenes IN the French theatres,
aid not realize that such things as were
permitted in Paris were not tolerated
mere. lie also explained to General
boulanger that the conventionalities did
mol permit On such a stage us Mr.. DAYS
any dlnerent mannerisms behind the
scenes than would occur in parlor.
botllanger was very angry, and he
glared most fiercely at the actor who
had laid the heavy hand upon him.
Nevertheless, he perceived that what he
mad done was regarded as an insult, and
he was assured that Miss Rehan was
deeply offended, and was in tears, so
that 1t was a matter of some doubt
whether she could go on with the part.
Tie, therefore, rather sullcnly lifted his
cap, begged some one to convey his re.
grets to Miss Isehan, and quilted the
theatre.
Mr.. Webb in speaking of the matter
afterward to few friends, said that he
was never SO Mortified in all his life, and
Tor weeks afterward the cold sweat
started rs he realized how near they
came to having battle on Days stage.