Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-03-15
TWO COMEDIANS.

20 make his first appearance on the
stage in "Chatterton - The piece,
which, though not forgotten, had drop
led out of sight and for some years had
&ilIed a narrower sphere in the quiet APP
probation of home reading, now excit-
cd, on It's first night. almost the interest
sbat great novelty might Those who
were familiar with it without having
seen it played were curious to assist at
ATS Interpretations process in which
ertain beauties of q work, especially
she most subtle points, disappear are
scattered volatilized as one may say,
IN the heat Of the footlights, while 9th
,5rs burst UNEXPECTEDLY into view through
the medium of voice and gesture.
Those who had been present at former
performances of the piece were happy
to bring back again two hours of their
youth and to glow once more with the
warmth of their first artistic emotion.
IN a word, the old play, reappearing as
it did in the midst of the commonplace
Sriviaities Of the day, rejuvenated the
whole audience and aroused it to Gu
thusiasm.
1t must be admitted that it would be
impossible to conceive of a more perfect
Ghatterton than young Bloncourt made.
Son and grandson of comedians, the
youth had the blood of true artist in
ais veins, aud he was evidently bent OIL
proving it to us that evening.
In the tumult and excitement of the
applause, in the midst of rhe hundreds
OF pairs of eyes and hands that were ex-
clusively concerning themselves with
the stage, | caught glimpse from time
to time of handsome face which look
ca out pale and set, from the darkness
at the back of the house. 1t was Blon-
court, the father who had come to be
present at the triumph of his son. Evil
IDENTIFY deeply moved, he frequently
changed his place and appeared in all
the different parts of the theater, some
times III the midst of the brilliant dis
play in the boxes and at other moments
was almost lost in the crowded CALLER
lies. 1t was as though he wished to
measure Oh every side this splendid sue.
cess, i'll which. he also had share. The
audience recognized him and pointed
him out to each other. Look at Papa
Bloncourt. Isn't he happy tonight,
thought" And some of them while ap-
plauding turned i'll his direction, as
though to include the great artist in the
triumph of his child and pupil.
1t is fact that no fame is so short
lived as that of comedian. Once he
drops out Of The public gaze it is all
over with him. No one gives him a
further thought. His is the fate of the
spoken word, which, however beauti-
full is carried of in air; of the musical
chord that yanishes as soon as the notes
are struck But in this case, thanks to
his son, BlorCourt could escape the ter
Eible destiny that awaits comedians.
He W as welcoming a new glory which
was rising at the fading of his own and
would merge his artistic career in an
other full of hope and promise. So the
poor mans emotion was deep and
strong. I could see that his lips occa-
siunally trembled, and his limbs witch
ed with nervousness. Between each act
he roamed about in the Hobbies, draw
ing near the different groups to over
hear what was being said. and when
hand clasps and fluctuations were press
ed upon him he blushed and shrank
away with the awkwardness and en-
barrassment of diffident youth.
Passing close by him at one of these
moments, could not restrain the sym
pathetic impulse which drew me toward
Ihis deep, silent JOY. "You ought to be
a very happy man, said, shaking his
hand. ITS an immense success.
The hand | took in mine was cold
and moist. aid it drew itself sharply,
almost angrily. away. Its possessor
smiled grimly as he looked at me.
$50 you compliment too, do you:
Isn't there q single soul to understand
what am suffering? All, come. | am
snffocating Let us get out of here. y
And he dragged me with him out into
the street An icy wind was whistlinG
round the corners, but the old comedian
did not appear to notice its rigor.
''Ah. that is good goodl' he exclaim
ed. drinking i'll the cold air with de
light. II thought should go crazy in
side there For two hours have endur
ed their appiauding and their stupiC
congratulations, which are mockery
TO me. You are astonished that say
this to you: Well, it is so. am jeal
Gus. ! am jealous of my own child
fairly greer with envy of him. That il
a frightful thing to say, isn't it? Blu
why did he take my part away from
me? 1t was mine. | was to have played
1t. 1t is exactly in my line, and Vign.
himself promised it to me. A week he
fore he died ne said to me, 'Bloncourt
when they put on "Chatterton" again
count ON You to play it, and | wa
waiting with such impotence for then
10 bring il ont. Paris was beginning T.
forget me in the long period had bcel
anactlye. and hoped this creation
would confer a second youth upon mt
"A renewal Ot past successes. l studies
hard night and day Finally wa
ready.
'One morning the boy comes runnin
TO me and throws his arms around IN
meek; oh. father, bow happy | ami
am going to play Chatterton. He kne'
AS we'll as any one the promise that ha