The morning call., 1893-02-19
PLAYING "The Ghost" in Black.


Ify are in betting mood and disposed
toIwager that there is any man in this city
with more personal dramatic "reminiscences
at his command than Lew Rather, you
would lose your money. For the matter of
that. his recolections embrace the whole
line of the show businesS-dramatc, oper-
ate. minstrelsy (he was a famous professor
of burnt cork in his time), variety, sa wdust
and what not. He knows it all, particularly
in so far as this State is concerned, from
book l. chapter l. and Is. withal, most
agreeable raconteur. To hear Rattler relate
the many funny incidents that have lain IN
the way OF his professional experience Is 10
laugh till your eyelids are wet.
One experience, for example. comes 10
mind that is worth putting into print 1t
happened many years ago when Harry
Jackson and W. H. Smith--now both passed
anywhere managing the Alhambra.
known al present as the Bush-street The
ater
There was sort of mixed entertainment
running at the time. principally minstrelsy.
and Rather was 4 star IN the crescent as
we'll as in the interludes.
The squirting Of his then young histrionic
ambition Induced Mr.. George NJ. Ciprieo to
apply 10 Messrs Smith and Jackson for the
privilege of introducing the ghost scene
from Hamlet" into this entertainment.
And thereby hangs the tale.
Being a deyout student of Shakespeare
George thought, and thinks so STILL that if
there was any part he could play it is
Hamlet.
The privilege was granted by the mana
gers When the evening for the performance
came a difficulty arose about the ghost. All
the principal mem berS of the minstrel COM
pany were corked for the evenings wOrk.
but as Rather was Known to have a fond
ness for Shakespeare and straight text"
lie was asked to make up for the part.
The actor-minstrel demurred.
1t is too much trouble" said he. There
are other people about who can read the
lines for you. In fact, Clprico. l won't
have time TO change"
Cipric0 pleaded, and said he would refer
the matter to the managers.
NOW. NV ambitious young gentleman"
continued Rather. Il may as well tell you
that if they insist on my taking the part Of
your fathers shadow. by the genius of the
divine William, FL play him with a black
face"
"Oh, you won't queer me like that, Lew?"
demonstrated CiDTico
He entreated the aid Of the managers,
but Rather refused 10 take the trouble Of
washng-up. Jackson. who had a keen
scent for the ridiculous, did not demonstrate
very earnestly, but CipricO felt satisfied
when be left the conference that all would
be ght
He made up faultlessly in the orthodox
Hamlet fashion and was ready on the plat
form behind the EIsinore battlemeuts
awaiting the ghosts arrival IN the fourth
of HA I'd
Look. my lord! II comesl
On came Rather, with thin robe over
his impToYlsed arm0T. tTuncheOn in hand,
and. as be had threatened, with a shining
black face. He had found no props ready Tor
him when he rushed 10 his dressing
ard made truncheon by breaking a broom
stick 10 two, ana threw on a catch minstrel
helmet without visor or course, he ad
time to take off the burnt cork from his
face, if he had wished to do so.
The house was full and the rOaTs of
laughter that greeted the black ghost shook
the rsf;eTs. John Mccullough and Law
renee Barrett both were present to witness
Mr.. Ciprico's debut They were cOnYulsed.
The unfortunate Hamlet, after glance
at tie ghost, stood, during ali this tempest
Of merriment as if he were rooted TO the
spot. When il luIled. he commenced the
apostr0phe. the first lines Of which, under
the circumstances, had a double signifi-
canoe:
Angels and ministers Of grace defend usl
IN a voice full of surprise. modification
and even horror-for 1t was a horrible stu
alton 10 play Hamlet with a negro minstrel
as an opposite; but all his lines were ac-
centuated by Tipples Of laughter. Still he
kept bravey On. Rather also read the lines
OF the ghost WELL but when ne came to To g
one,
The audience again became uncomfortable
and laughed and shouted themselves hOarse.
When the scene had nearly finished, and
the ghost took his leave with,
Adieu! Adieui Hamlet. remember mel
Mr.. Ciprico could scarcely muster courage
90 begin the speech, in which he would have
been more than justified in giving extra
emphasis 10 the first line,
OaIy you host OF heaven! o Earthi What else?
But, 10 desperate misery at the ridiculous
ness Of the situation, be came down front
and apOlOgiZed TO the audience. There were
tears of modification IN his eyes as be
spoke:
Ladies and entlemen: hope you will
not accuse me of lending myself Willingly
TO the scene you have witnessed this even
Ing. Mr.. Rather has amused you, but it
was not with my cOnnlvance. 1t was
practical joke of his own when he played
the CHEST Of my father in tile play as a
negro. Hamlet had no black blood In his
veins. and I'm certain l have none. When
this peculiar apparition parted from NE 1t
was unnecessary to BID me remember him.
l shall never forget Mr.. Lewis Rattlers
ghost as long as live"
Ciprico has to this day a lively recollec-
ton Of the amusing affair, and it was many
years before be forgaye Rather for his part
in it