Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-20
"AS YOU LIKE IT."
An Incident of Its Recent Outdoor
Performance,
SHAKESPEARE AND SMELLS.
Actors splendidly Treated, but Not Allowed
to Mix With the Guests-Fritz Emmett and
"Sweet violets"-A Prima Donna's Panic
Over . Cross Eyed Man.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

got" The speaker was one Of the company
which, on Tuesday afternoon, played "As You
Like IT, out doors at Hoboken. One downfall
that he referred to sudden storm that
scattered the spectators and ended the play in
the middle of the last act and the other is ex-
planned by him as follows:
You know already that the Stevens family is
one of the wealthiest in the country. The prin-
cipal son and heir inherited outright larger
fortune than any American had ever done, the
enormous heritages of William H. yanderbilts
sons having occurred later. It is that same
young Stevens who, suffering from deform-
ing growth in his neck, had it removed by sur
geons who were to get s1OO,O 900 in case Of sue
cess and nothing in case they killed him. The
Stevens are no end of swells and they got up
this afternoon performance ostensibly in aid of
a charity fund, but really to aggrandize them
selves. For n representation of AS You Like
1t on their tree-shaded grounds they readily
enlisted a volunteer cast from among the most
eminent in our profession; but you have read
all about that as well as tho storm that spoiled
the last half OF the performance. and what set
out to tell you is about the luncheon which was
given to us before the play. Ithsd been quietly
yet effectively conveyed to us that we were to
lunch at the Stevens mansion, and We supposed
that we were to eat and drink in company with
incentive with me, confess, to go into the
| affair and L presume il had weight with the
others in the cast. Say what you WILL we
player folks like to mix occasionally in high
| society, and here seemed TO be a fine oppor-
tunity opened M. Well, we got the luncheon
and IL was an immensely fine banquet spread
in a dining room of the Stevens villa. but not
a soul in society did we meet at the table. We
were served by the most attentive walters, with
all manner OF dainty viands and toothsome
hlN h,,% Ia, hpty
of any Of the swells. We tried to be very
merry over the meal. but really all our ardor
was dampened BY the treatment TO which We
were subjected. 1t was as though a lot
OF inferior hirelings had been fed in
careful separation from their betters. l
am told that several leading dramatic
critics. foreseeing that some such affront might
ba put upon them, also declined to attend the
affair. assigning instead to reporters from their
several newspapers. After the performance
was over line of very elegant carriages was
found to be ready for us, and by these vehicles
we were switched away to our homes very com
fortably, but in manner to make the impress
sion upon that all the arrangements had
been made to keep us quite clear Of any con-
Eliminating association with the Stevens swells.
We came away feeling IS though we had obeyed
summons to perform before some monarch
and his court
NO WONDER ACTORS ARE BoHEMIANs.
1t isn't much wonder that the average actor
remains in Bohemia and rarely ventures into
places wherein he is in danger of encountering
the snubs Of pretentiols society people. So we
find him, at this hot and idle season of the
year, lounging in the bibulous resorts of New
York. Some queer things characterize these
resorts of his. In one of hose exquisite grog-
geries On upper Broadway neatly printed sign
over the bar reads: I'VE break our slate on June
l. Pay at the 1esk."
1'W1y Junp 1sf W aake1 an oil fipylor
who had stopped in for mint iulep.
Because" replied the polite young man be-
hind the bar, 'the dry season in theatricals
comes in at that time you see'
'Ah the festive Thespian il liable to be a
little uncertain in his accounts after that date
Is that itt'' asked the man over the green .op
of the julep.
Exactly" responded the barkeeper. "The
loss in trusting man during the winter months
is very slight compared to what il would be
now. In the first place all these actors
are twice as thirsty as they are in cold
weather. and favor high-priced fancy drinks
Then they are likely to go off fishing and get
drowned, or engage for ten years in the west
and never show up here again. Here comes
one of them now. He hasn't seen the sign yet
Watch him."
The newcomer, n small, bright-faced man,
| who looked as though he might do cockney
| servants with some skill, advanced blithely to
| the bar and started in on a swapping talk that
How do, Jimmie" he said. rather warm
out. but seasonable. Lord, but how nice it is
| in here, and you looking like snowflake
Jimmie. All, the bar business is where you
can do the elegant. eh, Jimmie, me boy? You
have to polish yourself up to match the glasses
don't you? Has Al been in yet? No? He and
1 are going to the races this afternoon. Got q
| sure winner. Can't beat us. Stand to win
three hundred. Give me a sour, Jimmie and
put a dash of absinthe in it. Signed for six
faa,. liza frat has,
Jimmie. Only week stands for the first ten
! and a good circuit the other six Got nv
! price, too. That's the way. Stiffen on 'em
and they'll think the more of you. Never
mind the strawberry, Jimmie Just float
layer OF claret on top, won't you? Thanks
If Al comes in tell him to wait, will you?
Here's your good health, me boy. Drinks
All. your hand is cunninger than any of em,
Jimmie. That's great sour just tally it up
| for me- will you? En- What's that?''
The barkeeper has not spoken, but turns and
| points to the sign behind the bar.
Il know, said the actor, but l owe you
| five or six dollars already. You can add this
drink.
Jimmie shook his head and nodded in the
direction Of the cashier. The actor sighed
hunted through his clothes and after a long
struggle tished out enough small change to
| settle for the drink.
We'll. don't know what you're going to do
| for trade, Jimmie.' he said sadly, as he tossed
down the money; ''you simply freeze the pro-
fession out OF the place. It's little hard on
| US, think a little hard
| And as the actor went out he cast long and
admiring look upon the handsome julep, feel
ing perhaps that If he had gone into some
| other profession than the dramatic when he
| began TO fight for his bread he might now be
enabled to indulge in such ornamental beyer.
ages during the hot months, and not get trusted
| for them.
| JOE EMMET's DEATH.
Among the deaths of more eminent PLAYERS.
considered for their artistic value, that of Joe
Emmett seems to have struck deeper into the
public heart. Drunkard as he was, and no
toriously faithless in his family, he still re-
NAMED high in the regard Of the pop alace.
Aud he knew how to please his public. He
believed that a big dog was o strong appeal to
| audiences and he paid 5000 for monstrous
st. Bernard. He relied upon the presence of
children in his plays as q taking feature and
paid large salaries to the parents Of pretty
youngsters to be used for that purpose. Above
all he held pretty songs in high esteem, and
| know OF one case in which he paid IS, 900 for a
| captivating ballad under these circumstances
| Emmett. as everybody knows, was responsible
for the long life and remarkable popularity of
''Sweet Violets," ballad that was once called
pretty, but il now referred to in ribald Jest.
But Emmett, contrary to general belief, did
not originate the song. 1t was first introduced
In very bad play called "Quartz Valley,
which was written for the late Barney
| McAuley. There was an insane girl in the
piece, who lived in mine with her father and