The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-23
ADJUSTMENTS.

1t was due to j. H. Stoddart, the fine old
character actor of THE Sporting Duchess
Company, that Nat Goodwin made his first
hit in New York. That was twenty years
ago, when Stoddart was scoring his great
success at the old Union-square Theater as
Pierre Michel in the memorable production
of Rose Michel" Goodwin had an engage
ment at variety theater, doing limitations
of leading actors. He had not yet become
famous. Stoddarts work as the Old MUIR
derer in Rose Michel" made the piece the
talk of the town, and young Goodwin was
anxious to get up an imitation. Speaking
OF the occasion Goodwin says: 81 knew if
I could only succeed in reproducing one of
Stoddart's tremendous scenes in the famous
French play could own New York. So for
days, almost weeks, went about mutter-
ing speeches OF the old mans, but, do what
would, could not get the proper intona-
tiOn or accent. One night, however, / hap
pened to run across Fred Bryton, who had
with him his dresser, peculiar sort of fell
low who was more than clever in initiating
actors of celebrity. AT Fred's suggestion
he gave us a specimen of Stoddart's peculiar
style, and / was amazed at his cleverness
This is my man. said 1 to myself, and then,
watching Il favorable opportunity, got him
into corner and had him so over the thing
for me half dozen times. That night I
fairly talked it OF in my sleep, and the next
morning, while at the breakfast table,
said TO my wife Lizzie Weathersby), Liz,
:" Have what?' said she. looking up from
the paper then spread out before her
" Why. the imitation Of Old man Stod-
dart, replied l. L got it from a fellow
while out on jam last night.
" Well, let's hear it, said she, and so l
= Rose, Rose, have been bad man to
you. have thieved and murdered;I
:" Not bit like it, Nat said she. Not
We'll. / felt somewhat disappointed. of
course, but did not despair entirely, and
all that day went about mutter;ng TO my
striking sentences in the play. I pulled
down the corners of my mouth, worked my
eyebrows as Stoddart did and fairly ex-
hausted strength and ingenuity in an en-
deavor to get the thing right, but to no
avail That night in desperation, i hunted
up Brytons valet, and, getting him away
from the crowd. had him repeat that speech
for mo times without number. l went over
it after him word for word and line for line.
and that night | rehearsed IL in half sun
pressed whispers until l fell asleep, still
mumbling to myself At breakfast | re-
peated il again in whispers behind my
paper, when all of sudden. it came to
me like revelation Jumping to my feet
1 said:
life
:" Well let's hear IT, she said in a half
Indifferent manner, scarcely lifting her eyes
to me as began, Rose, Rose, have been
a bad man
Great exclaimed my wife. not waiting
for me TO finish. Great, Natty. Now il
you do that Well tomorrow night at the
benefit performance, your reputation Is
made.
Well continued Nat. 1.-THE night of the
benefit came Old Stoddart, you must re-
member, was the talk of New York, and
when / walked out on the stage there was
not a soul In that house that had not heard
and applauded him as the theatrical sensa-
ton of the hour. l almost afraid TO
isegin, but after the little applause of my
reception had died away l gave them a lit
tie bit Of Stuart Robson, portion of JEFF
Persons Rip line or two Of Frank MAYO
finally coming 10 Stoddart.
Rose. Rose II had only gotten that far