The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-28
RECOLLECTIONS OF STETSON.
No Blankety Blank Scene Shifter Could
Run His Theater.

writer TO the New York Sun says:
have read with interest your article on the
late John Stetsop. and thought perhaps The
Suns readers might be interested in few
personal anecdotes Of this really strange man.
for be was more than this. He was, as Gil.
bert has IN, 'an animated eaoRlion OF irrecon
cilable antagonsms." Ore never knew how
he would act under varying conditions. In
close business connection OF il years as treas
urer and assistant treasurer of the Globe
Theater. / can truthfuly say that never
knew him 10 do or say KIND word or act
where one was expected Of him, but under
reversed conditions he would be lavish ia his
Kindness. He was iliterate TO degree not
generally known. for he made IA good showing
before strangers. and one had to know him.
well to find him out.
The late BARLEY Campbell never laughed so
heartily ps when telling the story OF poor
Charley Tborno's quarrel with Stetsoo.
Tborne Mt that time was leading mar OF Shook
g. Palmer's ola Union Square company, en-
bracing Sara Jewett Stoddard. Stuart Robson,
>. IL. Parsellr. and others of equal note. The
paF was The Bankers Daughter" Hart
Jackson. stage manager for Shook a. Palmer.
called rehearsal on the morning OF the
opening night at the Globe. 1t had not pro-
gressed far when ThoI ne and jackson (alasi
both dead now disagreed on the pronunoia-
iion OF the word depot. The members of the
company sided witlbrxb horne. but Jackson was
obdurate, and bish words were passed which.
Stetson hearing he came in a jiffy to the stage
and endeavored TO settle il. tie would first
chat with jackson and then move over 10
Thorne, speaking low and locking sageiy, as
though this sort OF thing was right in bis
line. Finally, seeing no chance os a settle
ment. he proposed compromise TO Thorne,
who Indignantly refused. saying at the time:
webster is my authority, SIR" Tnis was
enough. Stetson took half a dozen ponderous
steps up the stage. looked up in the flies and
shouted: "Webster. you blankety blank -
- rascal, come down ou. of there and
escape from this theater in 30 seconds. I'll
show any blankety blank scene shifter who
runs nv theater. and teach you not 20 make
trouble iE my house." The poor stage hand
was unfortunately named after the great
Noah Webster, and it was a week before any
body dared tell John OF his error.
On another occasion Stetson came TO New
York. AT that time the j. roads did not run
on Sunday. Stetson took walk with Jack
Haverly on this dny, and was disgruntled
because he could not take q ride on the road.
Happening to the letters NJ L. Il. r.,
which believe stood for metropolitan Flo
waited Il. r., Haverley asked .iobn what they
meant damn IL know" replied John:
"MethoGir Episcopal K. r.. guess
stetson was intensely proud of his wife.
beautiful woman and good wife, Ee liked
TO tell of the circumstances under which he
met nud determined TO marry her. sho was
Miss Stokes, Katie Stokes. bareback rider
OF renown. While riding for the late W. e.
Coup the show wss in Chicago. exhibiting on
the lake front, where the Illinois Central
tracse now are. Stetson bad comic opera
company playing the "AIikado'' in Chicago.
and received nm invitation from Coup TO look
over his Prussian horses. Arrived at the tent
they found Katie practicing on one of the
finest and best of the horses. with fussy
little French rincmsster making unnecessary
use OF his ring whip on the animal. Finally.
with wicked sunp of his lash, he cut the
horses skin and drew blood. This was too,
much for Katie, who ~ once jumped on and
walked up TO the unsuspec ing Frcnchman
and gave him resounding slap foil on the
mouth. lie ran, and Sieison at once re-
ouested an introdu uction, and In less han four
months was a benedict. l could tell you
many more things OF this remarkable man,
Int will not presume too much on your pa
tiprcp. A. a.