The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-14
ACTORS In SUMMER.
The Period When Their Isolation Is
Most Apparent.
Rich Ones Go TO Europe. and the Poor
Try Farming.

Europe and those who are wearily walk
ing the New York Rislto. The first class
is composed OF prudent and prosperous
players; the second is made up OF the
unthrifly or unfortunate. Inasmuch as
the thestr cal season brought little good
luck to any body, most of the performers
have decided TO stay at home this sum-
mer. Les miserables remains In New York
until tho booking season is over, after
which they rusticate in rural places. The
more enterprlsing OF them frequently
open actors boarding houses in New
Jersey and Staten Island and take in or
are taken In by their comrades in the
profession. Il he fare at these establish
mcnts is generally hard, but the land
lords experiences are commonly harder.
Thore Is fine Micawberish disposition
In the majority OF actors, which enables
them TO view debts with tquanimity.
player who regularly pays his board, his
bills and his wife's alimony Is so rare
person as 10 be distinguished among his
fellows. kor this reason a thrifty actor
who wants TO turn penny during the
dull season by opening boarding house
has more reason to be content with the
promise than the performance. His guests
are eloquent in assurances that they will
settle their bills when salary day comes
around again. But the landlord who
lives on this hope must have stout bank
account " he would avoid visit from
the sheriff before the summer is ended.
1t Is in his rural holiday that the actors
isolation from society Is most apparent.
The manager, the orchestra leader and
the box Office man generally quit all
theatrical association and mingle with
professional people during vacation
time. But actors almost invariably are
gregarious. and take their holidays to-
gether. They do not care for ordinary
people, and ordinary people care as little
for them. The arrival at quiet but
fashionable hotel, frequented by city fam
lilies, OF famous leading man would
cause something like stampede among
the regular guests. On one occasion
some years ago Richard Mansfield went
to the Catskills for his holidays, and inn
meaiately chill fell over the house.
Mothers Of handsome daughters have
vague idea that all actors are Williams,
and these young women themselves are
as much terrified of a theatrical perfomer
In the country as they are fascinated by
him in the city. We remember meeting
Robert Manteli at Shelter Island hotel
some years ago, and although the house
was crowded, the player was practically
isolated. At that time Mantell had just
finished his brilliant engagement with
Fanny Davenport, and was entering his
stellar career amid universal applause as
the handsomest man on the stage. But
the maids who sighed over his beauty IN
New York. remained wholly Indifferent
to 1t on Shelter Island, ana the actor
hshed, drove, sailed, went a-swimming,
and so far as was possible. took his meats
alone. On one occasion a young woman,
venturing further than her strength
justified, was almost drowned. Mantell.
who Is North OF Ireland man. and there
for ntat rtoIx In fAI
into the bay and rescued the exhausted
swimmer. 1t Is a question whether the
parents were more delighted over the res
cue of their daughter or mortified by the
fact that she was carried ashore in the
arms of an actor. They thanked Mantell
stifiiy for his sevices, but thereafter never
to the CatsISills his songs and funny
stories brought the children OF the hotel
into quick friendship with him. But
their sisters, their cousins and their aunts
saw only thin air when the actor APP
preached them, and presently Mr.. Mans
field, feeling this position to be uncom-
Portable, left the hotel
During his summer vacation the actor
amuses himself In various ways. Tie Is
generally amply provided with novels and
IL an omniverous reader. lie has schemes
for the writing OF plays ano in hts fancy
constructs plots that will enable HIM to
become the American Sardou. He takes
the dramatic papers snd talks shop
from spring until autumn. lie is great
letter writer and maintains steady cor
respondence with all the actresses whom
he expects TO marry. His conversation Is
literally enlivened with scorn for the
managers, wrath against the importation
of Irving and Bernhardt and contempt
for the public which has not yet recogIiz-
ed his abilities. These matters ended, the
actor is usually possessed by a vehement
desire to abandon the world and Its van
tiles and TO adopt the peaceful career of
turner. In this phase OF his rusticating
character the actor is most Interesting.
lie always has theories OF his own ahont
the laws of nature and he knows beyond
peradventure that fruits and vegetables
planted in his way must realize large
income of profit. Thus you may see an
emotional and beautiful hero standing on
top of a ladder clipping all the leaves off
young vine with tho confident argu-
mcut that the grapes will ripen better IL
thcrc Is no foliage to hide them from the
hot kiss OF the sun; or find leading ac-
tress denying her chickens the usual
poultry privilege OF eating gravel, be-
cause, in her opinion, gravel interferes
with the laying Of eggs. Last summer
villain of high repute in melodrama spent
his entire fortune on vegetable farm. In
due season the potato bugs arrived and
SET themselves 10 MS eScuient uHlntles
with such appetite that he Immediately
cast about for remedies TO check their in
roads. Ordinary insect poisons would not
satisfy him. lie must needs invent po-
ison OF his own, which he did with such
success that II killed his vegetables and
the bugs together. An actor on farm
is often more interesting that an actor on
the stage.
Tho rich players or the players OF for
eign birth generally 60 TO Europe. Th ere
are various reasons for this summer exo-
dus. The actor can replenish his stage
wardrobe very cheaply I'm London, and
he Is sure OF getting the latest styles.
When Major Mckinley comes into his
own he must keep a sharp eye on our
homecoming players, for each of them
has a tailor's shop In his trunks, besides
hats innumerable and gloves galore. John
Drew and r. ii. Sothern would not order
clothes from our tailors in any circum-
stances. They must 40 TO London, con-
suit the Prince OF Wales about what he
inten DIS TO wear throughout the winter
and buy their wardrobe under his diroc-
tions. Prima donnas and leaoing women
are due In Paris next month, and the
modistes and millipers OF the Rue dc In
fIix all have dates with them. GeorC ia