The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-08-20
ACTORS PUCNkCITY.
Anecdotes of Edwin Forrest, JuniGs ISru
tus Booth, Sr. and Edwin Booth.

Edwin Forrest was Il fighter, and had
the very worst kind of temper, saws
the San Francisco Examiner. Here
are a couple OF stories about him told
by one who knew him well. The
doors had just been opened and tie
audience was just beginning to come
in. The stage was empty and dark.
The visitor stood talking with the the
alter official who had conducted HIM
there. when they were startled by a
woman's shrek. followed by a hoarse,
inarticulate growl that swelled into a
roar, aud as they turned to the direc-
ton whence the sounds emanated they
saw a woman in white fairly fly across
the stage closely pursued by a big
man. who limped as he ran and was
swearing big oaths with every breath.
"Oh." said the manager in reply to his
hurried question. lit is only Forrest
having quarrel with his leading
lady" and he added, apologetically,
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 engage
ment; he suffered frightfully from govt
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, aud
bore monogram, and it was addressed
in what appeared TO be lady's hand
writing. One shoe was on when For
rest opened and read the note The
aristocratic-lo looking missive read some
thing like this: The writer had been
at the theater the previous evening
and noticed with a great deal of SYM
patty that Forrest limpcd. He hoped
the tragedian would not permit him.
self to suffer long, as by coming to the
writer's address the troublesome corns
would be removed without pain, and
on accou..t of the writer's admiration
for the actors genius no charge would
be made. The instant Forrest grasped
the full import of the letter he let out
a howl and jumped up with sudden
ness which overturned the dresser, he
began tramping around the room,
throwing his arms around like a mad
man, and repeating again and again,
as lie clutched the air with nervous
fingers: ''Oh, if / only had that man
here! Oh, if l only had that man
here"
Edwin Booth, who always threw the
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 Edwins lam
guage: My last experience of his
yagarics was at our final parting on
the ship that bore him forever from
me. He asked a sailor on deck to take
his luggage 10 the cabin. The fellow
replied: I'm no llunky.' What are
you, sir? demanded my father. I'm
Il thief, responded the brute. H.
stantly my father put on his tiercest
scowl, struck an attitude, and said:
Your hand, comrade; I'm pirater"
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 a 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 it 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.
If YOU think you're gong 10 correct
any money from me. said Ardup. dog
gedly. as he handed back the bill,
you're away off. You can't draw
blood from a turnip." Maybe not"
replied the man with the bill. peeling
off his coat. but I'm going to see if
can't pound little out of dead beat. !"
--fh;rgan Tribune.