The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-22

A story OF Earlier I,nr..

man IN contact with most OF the celebritiei
OF that period, scientific, literary. political
ana ramatic. Curtis Guild of Boston. ed.
itor of the Commercial Bulletin of that city. in
giving his experiences in "A Chat About Ce.
lebrities," just published. tells the following
good story of one of John Brougham's charac.
t%eristic Jokes:
THIS HOUSE TO BE OLD"
Twas witness TO one of Brougham's dramatic
practical Jokes, which, with its sequel. is quite
amusing and worth chronicling in these pa.
pers. 1t was during Brougbam's engagement
at the Howard Athenmum that he announced
FOR his benen5 two attractive comedies. and be-
tween these the announcement was made that
q new and original production would DO
brought out, entitled This House to Be Sold. "
As usual at BrouEham's benefits, the house
was crowded.
After tho representation OF the first comedy,
ana whom the orchestra had played IN entr'-
dcte, the audience were surprised by loud
voices and an unwontcd disturbance behind
the curtain, which Increased, and the stage
manager rushed in All excited manner before
the curtain.
Ladies and gentlemen" said he. II regret
to state that a member OF the company who
was to aplear In the next piece has come to
the theatre In such an after-dinner condition
that"
He got no further. for a well-known MEM
Der Of the company rushed upon the stage in
nm excited manner with:
Ladies' and gentlemen, am I in an after
dinner condition."
mo! no!' "Yes.' Go on with the play,
and various other responses came from tho
audience. Then entered the manager. who,
addressing himself to the speakers, said:
Gentlemen, / insist that YOU retire"
Not till ] have IN apology from him., ~ said
the irate actor.
Go off. all of YOU" said q respectable elder
~ looking man, rising in the private boxes:
this audience came to see the play, and not
to settle actors puarrels."
oh, father. cit down. do" said a young
lady with the speaker who attracted the at
tention OF the whole audience.
For myself. I recognized in the voice OF the
elderly gentleman w. II. Curtis. one of the stock
company, and the daughter rs Miss Josephine
ORION, another. and l at once began to scent a
joke. Just then an uproarious, evidently in.
tox'cated lrishman in the parauet jumped up
and fourislsing u stick shouted:
'Bedad. I'll perform a part meself II ye don't
bring out Brouuham."
VIII the officer remove that mani" said
the manager. from the stage.
A policeman came down. seized tho offend
ing Pat by the collar, and began to drag him
away, WHEN lne ciuerly gentleman again IN
terposed:
"rhe Irishman lie all right; let him alone."
By this time the audience were beginning
to get in confusion. cries of Go on Put
him ou.," resembling, and come OF the ladies
begging their escorts 10 leave for fear of a dis
turbance. At this juncture. the manager. ad-
dressing himself TO the elderly speaker. said:
Perhaps you would. like your Irish friend
to appear here"
II have no doubt he would make a better
job of il than you do" was the reply, amid q
peal OF laughter.
At this point the Hibernian, who had extri-
Gated himself from the officers clutches, ran
down the aisle, climbed over the orchestra.
hitting the kettledrum a tremendous thump
en- route. and, amid laughter and shouts of
the auditors. mounted and stood upon the
stage, hat in Land. In au easy attitude.
The moment he did SO. and uttered the words
Ladies and gentlemen" the confusion ceased
and rave way to shouts of laughter and ap-
plause; as he was recognized as John Brouph-
Ladies' and gentlemen; I promised you an
ORIGINAL production On the occasion Of my
II this house has not been sold. please inform
me. ana the sell shall be more complete on
some other OCCASION
FUN IN NEW YORK.
The sequel to this is quite amusing. Sew
erai months afterward Brougham was inter
ested with Burton in the management of the
they were both very successful. especially in a
dramatization Of "Dombey & Son" in which
stoch and JACK Bu".by: Mrs. Vernon. Mis-.
S;srton; George Jordan. ,Cdrkcr. &c.
he w propo sTpa ,S rspest 0 for q I n'Sh Yo sam "ad dGHna
his House TO be Sold" but on explaining IL to
Burton; that worthy objected TO it as "a piece
Well, go ahead. Brougham, it is your bene-
ft. and 4 will nj be my fault If you spoil it
Brougham went ahead" the announce
ance, and all went on as previously in Boston.
The audience was thoroughly deceived. but
It chHhceh that, when the police officer in front
man from the audience. that official. not hav-
Ing been sufieiently posted. supposed the party
dragged him with considerable violence tow
in ~ ns' un %S Con Icy "1 a ann S Mf. B sn5a i@s actor
Nc yer DON'T said the officer. You 20
And it was not until the comedian was dragged
nearly 70 the door, anG a couple of ushers had
cieyerIy deceived. NV 90
Next morning in the Greenreom Brougham:
himself upon his deceit OF the officer.
Fudge" said Burton. THE fellow is an
! can always tell an actor after seeing him on
the stage as far as ] can see him
Brougham shrugged MS shoulders and said |
EotliinR.
Burton was very strict in his prohibition Of
any, smoking in or about the theatre. and espe-
cially IN the entrance lobby. In those days
the cigarette nuisance had not been invented,
and young. men did not have to go out between
the acts Of the play to smoke them, so that
y smoking" was enforced and respected.
The stage door TO the old :. rect
Theatre in New York was within twenty
PAGES Of the principal entrance. two steps led
up to 1t. and a little jog or niche at one side
was at tho corner OF the building.
A fbN lRyy after tne conversation nhnyn IN
cited Burton came down one event ig TO the
theatre just after dark. and. as he was about
to enter the stngs door, found to his surprise
the nicho. at the side occupied by a 6uriy
lrishman In a big; rough coat and SLOUGH hal.
smoking a short. Hack pipe OF all things, Bur
tons %especial abomination. Drawing back
In intense disgust, he shouted:
Here. my nan, get away from here-moye
away"
."Divil a bit!" growled the intruder, emit
ting a cloud toward. Burton THAT made him
raw further back in disgust.
What do you want here?" calculated the
MANAGER.
Sure, I'm waiting for Mr.. Brougham." was
the grOwled reply,