The morning news., 1897-07-17
Jenlously Among Actors.

JealOusly Among Actors.
The Literary Digest publishes the fol-
lowing translation of an article in the
ILLUSTRATION Europenne, Brussels;
THE self-esteem of people connected
with the stage is immense; there is no
profession where this feeling is more de-
veloped; actors, chorus girls, dancers
every one having to do with the theateI
seems to be vain to the verge OF bur
lesque.
This self-esteem is not only a quality
Of mediocre artists. The greatest are not
less vain. Celebrity ought to put them
above Jealousy, but 1t does nothing of the
kind.
Frederic Lemaitre, Notwithstanding
his talent, could not endure the success of
one OF his comrades. In a meledrama he
came on the stage holding in his arms his
son, who had just been drowned. The
actor who took the part of the dead boy
was horribly lifeess. his realism was
striking. The public applauded loudly
This did not please the great Frederic
Piqued by jealousy, he pinehed the drown
ed man. who controlling himself, made no
sign. Then Frederic tickled him, and this
time he could not hold out. He began to
laugh, and the applause was soon changed
to Kisses.
In provincial city a blood-and-thun-
der drama was represented, in which
ceeded to poisonings, and at the end as
in every good play, the traitor, arrested,
was condemned 90 be beheaded His head
covered with blood, was placed on a table;
thanks to hole in the top the actor, hid
den beneath, could display it as if it were
actually detached from the body and the
Illusion was complete. A comrade. teal-
Gus of his success, placed a pinch of snuff
under the nose and soon the detached head
began to sneeze violently, which changed
the horror of the spectators to shouts of
laughter.
But 1t is not actors alone who are
vain; simple chorus singers ana ballet
girls have also their self-esteem.
In an opera where the scene opens on
the seashore storm takes place; boys
hired for the purpose shake the green
cloth that gives the Illusion of waves.
The device had succeeded well and the
public were manifesting their satisfaction
by applause.
They are applauding my wave said
one boy
" Not at all said another, it's mine
" Not on your life, it's miner
"A dispute ensued, loud words passed.
and struggle took place in the savage
ocean.
IAN this time the actor was singing:
Sailors! now the wind subsidies,
Calm reigns DER the waves.
But the waves had never been so
much agitated; the director had to go
and re-establsh peace by means of Wig.
orous kicks in the bosom of the ocean.
soldiers, too. who sometimes take part
in theatrical representations, do not al
ways obey the actors.
I'm an eastern city a ira agedy was be.
ing acted having for its su bject Joan of
Arc in the third act Joan, in a combat
seizes the sword of an English soldier
The Englishman was soldier who was
appearing for the first time. The actress
tried to get his sword, but he refused to
give it to her.
" You shan't have nv sword he shout-
ed in rage, i won't have it taken
away
The actress insisted the soldier de-
Tended himself; struggle took place be-
tween Joan of Arc and the soldier, while
the theater shook with laughter
"One actor, whose self-love was wound
ed, reVenged himself in an original fash
on. A hair-dresser had declared in the
presence OF numerous customers that the
actor had no talent; the latter went TO
him to be shaved.
" What do you do with all the hair you
cut OFF, he asked the hair-dresser.
" I sweep it up and throw it away was
the answer
What a fool you are! exclaimed the
'ctor; you can easily sell it; they make
great use of it in America, and l myself
make a business of exporting it,
" Is that SOP said the barber
" of course; save up your hair; I will
lrop in six months from now and take it,
The bargain was struck. Six months
tfter the actor reappeared.
" L have been waiting for you with i'm
latience,' said the hair-dresser; the hair
everywhere; the back shop and even
ny bedroom are fun of it.
" Show it to me-
The hair-dresser opened a chest that
-as overflowing with it.
% 'Stupidr cried the actor, what on
arth have you donei Why, you have
mixed It all together; it is good for moth
ng nowr
And he hastily withdrew"