The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-24
Sarah Bernhardt
Or Dumas Fills

One of the editors of lie GauloiS has re
,eivcd the following interesting and spirited
letter from Sarah Bernhard about her rec
objections OF Alexander Dumas Ills:
Ny souvenirs OF Alexandra Dumas, friend?
Which? Those of yesterday or those or the
past? Those OF the past are frightened by
youth, laughter and work; those or yester'
day are the sorrow, death, and the frightrul
mystery OF the original sin, i'll which Dumas
has wat,.hrul and induIgcnt kindness for wo-
man.
One day when his soul was a little tired,
/ told him my trouble.
IAN that" he said to me, sis the fault OF
the apple, a very good fruit. II Eve had
presented a OUNCE, Adam would not have
bitten it,
but, master, should there not have been
a bitter fruit, when the apple was taken TO
be a tree OF evil?''
THE ounce grew on the tree OF well
being, beautiful fruit, horrid to eat, but
beneficial. The right is beautiful to do, bit
ter to receive and hard TO give. l know
something about that, and you also, do you
not?"
And his laughter burst out stridently.
The first time that ] saw Dumas was
one evening at the Odeon. ] had just
created Zanetto in lie PEASANT He
came to my logc and complimented me
] said to him:
DO me- tie great honor of writing me
a role, MASTER
"Oh, my child, you are created for the
language OF the gods. ] speak the Ian
guage of men. ] write only comedies in
prose-"
He was called no longer the author of
LA Dame aux Camilias;' he was called
the author OF LES Idces de Nine. Aubray.''
He was more than celebrated; he was illus
trious.
1t was only seven years later, in 1876,
that my dream to play something OF Du-
mas was realized. ] was at the Coincide
and ! had Just been named for the society.
] had, according to custom, made my
visits, as for the Academic, written my
letter to the committee, and ] eagerly
waited to be nominated. once the nomi-
nation accorded me, blue pa per was given
me, which must sign. l was afraid.
] went t6 find Dumas.
Master, l am nominated, and am afraid
of singing the book-the great book-great
great as the door of prison."
Dumas said to me: do not sign it, my
uedT CHilu, you udNt ltttlE 100 curly NdtuTe
would revolt. Those who have that hair"
be said to me- stroking with his hand my
head, "should not sign contracts for life"
The next day 1 went to sign the mo-
mentous book. Why? oh, because-simply.
A bit confused, L saw that same evening
Dumas at the Coincide.
"well?'' he said to me.
II have signed it"
- have earned 500 francs"
allow, master?"
Yesterday, when you had left, told
our conversation to Nine. Dumas; she has
blamed me for advising you not to sign
your society paper. Bah" answered her;
nave no fear, she will sign it tomorrow.
I will wager 500 francs.' have earned
them. They return to you. 1 will send you
something."
And the next day Alexander Dumas sent
me a blonde wig with braided hair with
this word:
"Now that you are well In the house,
accept this-not, however, that you will
ever have need of it,
1 received, q little while after this Incl
dent, a word from Francisque Sarcey:
"Be happy. Alexandra Dumas has read
rue his piece, 'L'EtraDgere.' You have a
superb role
FASTENED TO Dumas to thank him.
"when is the reading?''
"Next week.
"what am called in the piece?''
"Duchesse de Septmonts.''
Then he had the kindness to send me two
capital scenes. I was ravished. The world
was mine. At length the happy day ar
rived. The artists gathered for the reading
were. us usual. arranged in the hall of the
committee. The piece was announced.
Then NJ. Perrin placed his authoritative
hand on the little books arranged in piles
and the distribution of roles commenced.
He gave me the role OF fEtrangere.
"oh, no." 1 said, laughing. "that is for
Sophie" and turned toward Croizette.
mo, you are Mistaken she answered;
al have my role.''
And she showed me the enormous white
book on which was written: ..Duchesse
lie Septmonts."
beats In writing these lines. ] looked at
Perrin, but was beside his bad eye, which
peyer looked at me.
looked for Dunlas; he had gone. ran
70 his house.
master, dear master, who believed In
you, why. why this cruel deception"
And Dumas. n an hour told me what !