The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-23
ADJUSTMENTS.


Otis Skinner was recently asked if he
remembered his first appearance on the
stage. He thought a moment. broke into
merry laugh and said Perfectly; / must
have been about seven years old. 1t was
during my fathers pastorate i'm Hartford.
Saturday afternoon was falf holiday.
and always devoted to some-hng a little
out OF the ordinary. My brother Charles.
who has written my new and successful
play. even in those days had a decided
taste for playwriting and he had written
a sort of wild West border drama for us
TO produce. More than this, he had pasted
lot of old newspapers together and
drawn in charcoal the outlines of some
scenery. The price of admission was placed
at 1 cent. Only "a very few tickets
disposed of and so. with true managerial
instincts. We decided TO pack the house.
1.-The eventfui afternoon arrived and the
barn had been carefully swept and all of
the old boxes Struggled in and arranged
everything was in readiness for the open
ing. All of the boys from the neighbor-
hood We're there. sitting in hushed ex-
those on passes sitting side by side.
''rhe opening of the first act was bril-
liant. We had the entire sympathy of
auditors and everything was going along
splendidly, when we he1rd the creahing of
wheels and a rather shrill voice cry out:
What in tarnations the matter with this
door?' There was clatter and bang and
the door gave way. revealing a farmer of
the neighborhood with a load of hay IL
was but n very few minutes before
were all out OF the building. for tears and
pleadings We're of no avail and what had
cred with unromantic hay for the horses.
The few that had paid for their seats
seemed perfectly satisfied when the money
was returned. Not so the deadheads. All
sorts of unpleasant things were insinuated
and small-sized riot was imminent. when
my father came out. sent my brother and
H.. 81
skedaddled- The play was never presented.
but shall remember that farmer and his
boots as long as memory lasts.
Laura Burt's valet.
Laura Burt. who next season stars I'm
1.-The Lilly of I.landoff.'' new play by III.
Grattan Donneily, claims to be the first
actress to employ valet I'm place of a
maid. Being Welsh herself Miss Burt has
Welshman for her valet. He is q native
of Carnarvon Castle. He isn't exactly to
the manner born. but he comes of family
or lanitors who have taken care of Carnar-
Won Castle. In Wales. for generations All
the members of IL were good house serv-
ants. and when Miss Burt visited Wales
three years ago. tired and Disguised with
the capriceS OF a French maid. she hit
uDon the idea of engaging a lad as n
valet. Morris, as Miss Burt calls him. does
ssnd bnr * t1r ms mistress except to at
tie shampoos her hair and manicures her
ringer nails 10 perfection. He packs her
trunks. runs her errands. sees 10 II that
she IL served a dainty breakfast when she
IL too fndisposed 10 rise and go TO the din
ing room of the hotel. He is maid and
full. The charm about Mr.. Morris IS that
he speaks Welsh. and as Miss Burt is
2 Manx woman on her fathers She de-
lights 10 talk in her native dialect With
her faithful man servant
Dekoven's Chinese Receptiou.
NEW YORK. Nov. 22.-Members of New
York society were to-day treated to some
thing in the line of receptions out of the
usual Mr. Reginald DeKoven the popular
composer Of many operas. all of which are
well and favorably known to the nusic-loy-
ing portion of New York gave reception a
Ia Chinese. This idea was probably sug-
Hung Chang. to this country or possibly
the idea was originated by Mr.. DeKoven,s
Herald . Trter nov b running at the
took the form OF a reception. at which the
guests. host and servants and everybody
This unique affair took place at the resi-
dence OF Mr.. DeKoven. at No. So Irving
place. and IL was continued succession OF
chinese features. each of them being a
decided novelty 10 the average resident.
Upon the arrival of each guest. clothed
the invitations issued by Mr. DeKoven. tn
visitor was taken In charge by servant
ufSSsed as IL cOoile. VINO conducted him to
a Sedan chair borne by two more servants
with improvlsed pigtails and blouses After
being seated In the chair the guest was
carried into the presence of the great ma n
DARN. LII Hung Gang who was irnperson-
ated by Mr.. DeKoyen himself His Excel
lency was surrounded by Chinese s,,ard
In the regulation uniform OF that country
soidiery. the most distinctive feature ~
which was an enormous tareet ATTACHED
to both the front and rear OF the blouse
After kneeling with his back 10 the Man
DARN In conformation 10 the Chinese GUS
era1 reception room
Here the entertainment was OF n strictly
Chinese character After the formalty OF