Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-08-08
pUeNAcIous ACTORS.

Famous HiAtrions Who Have Resorted to
 the Use of Their Fists.
 Edwin Forrest was a fighter, and had the very worst kind of temper. Here are couple of stories about him told by one who knew him we'll The doors had just been opened and the audience was just beginning to come in. The stage was empty and dark. The vis- ttor stood talking with the theater of fcial who had conducted him there, when they were startled by woman's shriek, followed by hoarse, inarticu- late growl that swelled into a roar. and as they turned to the direction whence the sound emanated they saw woman in white fairly fly across the stage closely pursued by a big man, who imped as he ran and was swearing big oaths at every breath. "Oh," said the manager in reply to his hurried qucs- tion, 'it is only Forrest having a quar- rel with his leading lady," and he add ed, apologe tically, 'they do not get along together very we'll" The famous tragedian was playing at the Globe theater in this city what proved to be his last engagement; he suffered fright fully from gout in his feet, and it was a task his dresser greatly dreaded to put on his shoes. One evening, when his feet were very much swollen, the dresser was having his customary bad quarter hour, when a note was passed in the door. The envelope was large and square, and bore monogram, and it was addressed in what appeared to be lady's handwriting. One shoe was on when Forrest opened and read the note. The aristocratic-looking missive read something to this effect: The writer had been to the theater the previous evening and noticed with a greal deal of sympathy that Forrest limped He hoped the tragedian 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 admira- tion for the actors genius no charge would be made. The instant Forrest grasped the full import of the letter he let out howl, and jumping up with a suddenness which overturned the dresser, he began tramping around the room, throwing his arms around like a madman and repeating again and again as he clutched the air with nervous fingers: "Oh, if I only had that man here"
 A4o"lH bOOIu, WHO uAWbyS JHTeW buo mantle of charity over the weaknesses of his father, tells many stories of the great actors testiness and pugnacity. Here is one of them In Edwin's lan- guage: My last experience of his vagaries was at our final parting on the ship that bore him forever from me. He asked 0 sailor on deck to take his luggage to the cabin. The fellow re- piled: I'm no f1unkey.' What are you, Sir? demanded my father. I'm a thief, responded the brute. Instantly my father put on his fercost scowl, struck an attitude and said: Your hand, comrade, I'm piraten" Edwin Booth himself will fight when occasion demands Once discharged member of his company went to his dressing room and began to bully him. Picking up sword from the corner Booth roared out Down on your knees, you scoundrel, and pray for mercy, for I'm going to cut your heart out and eat ii
 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 Boott
 was only acting. Francisco Ex | aminer