The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-11-03

and that Newgag's admission Is false TO
life, Not 40; am writing not about come.
dians In general, but about Newgag
That he had come TO 10 exceptional con-
cession marked the depth OF his despair. ]
tried TO cheer him,
Nonsense, my boyl They i've YOU bad
parts. Goout Of comic opera ty tragedy"
had spoken innocently 4 sincerely.
But Newgag thought was jesting. In
stead OF his usual attempt at lofty callous
ness, however, he smiled that dismal mar
ionette like smile Of his. That gave me an
idea, OF which said nothing at the time
Several months afterward, manager
who Is friend Of mine, was suddenly
plunged In distress because OF the serious
illness OF an actor who was to gil part 10
new American comedy that the manager
was to produce on the next night.
What on earth shall dos" he asked.
"Play the part yourself, as lloyt does in
such an emergency--or get Newgag."
Whose Newgag'"
Hes friend Of mine out OF u position.
met him today very much frayed."
Bring him TO me-"
Newgag was overwhelmed when told
him Of the opportunity.
II never acted in straight comedy" he
said, II can't doit. ! might rs well try to
play Juliet"
"lle wants you only to speak the lines,
that'sall You're quick study, you know.
Come onl"
had almost 10 drag the man to the
/ manager. He allowed himself, in semi
stupcfed condition, to be engaged. He took
the part, vat up all night in his boarding
house room and learned it, went to rehear-
sal almost letter perfect in the morning,
and nervously prepared to face the ordeal
Of the evening.
AtG O'Clock he wished to 90 to the man
ager and give up the part.
~ can never do il, he walled to me. II
haven't had time 10 form conception OF it
and get up byplay You see, it's an eccen-
trie character part-a man from the country
whom everybody takes for fool but who
shows up strongly at the last. ! CAN'T
"ohl don't act it. You're only engaged
in the emergency, you know. Simply go
on and sag your lines and come of
That's all ! can do" be said with a du-
bious shake Of the head. III only I'd had
time to study III"
American plays have taken foothold and
this premier Of new one, by an author Of
two previous successes. drew n typical
first night audience" Newgag. having
abandoned adj idea Of making hit or OF
acting the part any further than the mere
delivery Of the speeches went, was no longer
inordinately nervous. When he first en-
tered be was tri1e frightened and his un-
ayoidable lack Of prepared stage business
made him awkward and embarrassed for
time. The awkwardness remained, but
the embarrassment eventually passed
away. He spoke in his natural voice and
retained his actual manner. When the &C
tion required him to laugh, be did SO, ex.
hibiting his characteristic perfunctory
smile
He received special call before the cur.
tain after the third act. He had no thought
that il was meant for him until the stage
manager pushed him out from the wings
He came back looking distressed.
"Are they guying meS" be asked the
stage manager.
The papers agreed next day that one oi
the hits Of the performance WAS made by
Newgag ''in an odd part which he had con
ceived in strikingly original way and i'm
persouated with wonderful finish and sub
tie drollery."
what does 1t mean" he gasped.
enlightened him;
my boy, you simply played yourself
Did-it never occur to you that in your owl
person you're unconsciously one Of tn
drollest men you ever sawf"
But didn't M:t"
"You didn't. And take my advice
don'tlp
And he doesn't Upon the reputation 0
his success in that comedy he arranget
with another manager to appear in pla,
written especially for him. lie is pros
porous star now. Whatever his play 0
part be always presents the same person
ality on the stage; and he has made tina
personality dear TO many theater goers
He does not appear too frequently or to
long in ANY one place; hence he is warml
welcomed wherever and whenever he N
turns. He is classed among leading actor,
and the ordinary person does not sto
sufficiently long to observe that he is n
actor at all.
"This isn't exactly art" he said to IN
the other night, with tinge OF self rebuk,
"but it's suecessp
| nd thu hiutnry ~ Newuau Ia tho hiatOr