The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-12

1y conceded to have been the greatest Mer-
Quito this country has ever seen and one
of the very best Macbeths has none of the
Alterations assumed by many of the latter
day one-part actorettes, and he made no
effort to conceal his pleasure at the oppor-
tunity given him to say something about
an episode which he declares can never be
blotted from his memory. In Mr.. Levicks
own words the story of Mary Anderson's
beginning on the stage was as follows:
1t was in 1875 that some persons who
were good enough to consider me pretty
fair actor thought that, as patriotism was
in the air, owing to the fact that it was
centennial year, it might pay to take ad-
vantage of the supposed popular feeling by
starring me in a play dramatized from
Cooper's celebrated novel, The Spy 1t
waE argued that every body would flock to
the dheater to see a play SO essentially
American. There was no chance of fail
ure. and every one connected with the en-
terErise was congratulated upon his or her
good fortune. Well, I started out, and,
strange as it may appear. the people did
not dock to see me in The Spy got
to NiacAuley's theater, in Louisville, and
'Thm Spy was done again. We opened TO
a miserable house on Monday night, which
was much worse Tuesday, still worse
"Wednesday and as nearly as possible zero
Thursday. L cannot begin to tell you how
bad the business really was. The prospect
of nuy getting back to New York by the
following Monday evening to take an en-
gagBment which had been offered me at
Booths theater began to grow exceedingly
dimy and went to MaoAuley to ask what
waste be done. That good natured giant,
who, was dear friend of mine, promptly
infoHIned me that be would see that was
provided with transportation to New
YorlI, and then he said, Let me think
and he did think for i long time. At last
it, he exclaimed. There is q girl about
16 years of age in this city, who is well
connected socially and a general favorite.
She is stagestruck and has insisted upon
having several OF the most prominent stars
who have visited my theater hear her read,
among them John Mccullough. She is
constantly studying and rehearsing by
herself, and 1 know that she is up in
''Romeo and Juliet I am of the opinion
that if we could put her in that piece
on Saturday night we could mako some
money
g Has she ever acted?' asked.
g Never to my knowledge, replied Mac
Auley, but that makes no difference. L
am depending upon the curiosity to see
her rather than upon any ability she may
possess
"'An right said I, things certainly
cannot be any worse than they are. Send
for her. BY the way, what is her namef'
g Mary Anderson And SO a messenger
was dispatched to notify Miss Anderson
that the manager was anxious to see her
at once. That young lady was found upon
her return from the cathedral, and she and
her mother Immediately repaired to the
Office of Mr.. MacAuley, where Miss An
derson was asked if she could be ready to
play Juliet by Saturday night and with
only one rehearsal. She unhesitatingly re-
piled that she could, she already had
the part letter perfect 1 well remember
that it was a rainy, slushy day, but that
was a mere trifs to determined girl who
had after careful consideration como to
the conclusion that the stage was her des-
tiny.
'iMacAuley and then had another con-
sultation, and it was suggested that play
Romeo. objected on the double ground
that was not up in the part and that 1
had made some little reputation as Mercu-
ito Besides it was absolutely necessary
that I should have some character which
was killed off early in the play so that l
might be enabled to leave on the train for
Cincinnati, connecting with the other,
which would land me in New York on
Monday. Then we set about to cast the
piece, and to our dismay we found that it
was impossible to do it with the company
we had. Tt was decided to telegraph to
Mr. MacAulcy's Cincinnati theater for
few people who were supposed to be some
what familiar with Romeo and Juliet.
This done, Miss Anderson was notified
that a rehearsal would be held at O'Clock
Saturday morning.
''Some of the people were inclined, as
Miss Anderson states in her memoirs, to
look down upon the ambitious girl who at
least temporarily was to be the center of
attraction at their expense and BY their