The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-15
The Vanity Of Actors

The seIf-esteem of people connected with
the stage Is immense. there Is no profession
where this feeling Is more developed actors.
chorus-girls. dancers-every one having 20
90 with the theater seems TO be vain 20 the
verge Of burlesq1e. This self-esteem Is not
only a quality OF mediocre artists The
creates, are not less vain: celebrity ought
20 put them above jealousy. but il does
nothing Of the kind.
Frederic Lemaitre. notwithstanding his
talent, could not endure the success OF one
OF his comrades. In a melodrana he came
On the stage holding IN his arms his son.
who had jus; been drowned The actor
who took the part OF the dead boy was
horribly Efeiess-his realism was striking.
The public applauded loudly. This id no,
please the great Frederic; piqUed by jeal-
ousy. he pinched the drowned man. who.
controlling himself. made no sign; then
Frederic ;ickled him and this time he could
not hold out: ne began TO laugh. and the
applause vas soon changed TO Kisses In
provincial city, Observation-Disclosures drama
was represented. in which crime followed
crime: assassination succeeded 10 poison
ings. and. at the end. as in every good play.
tie traitor. arrested, was condemned 10 be
heheaGed- His head covered with blood.
was placed on table: thanks 10 hole IN
the top. the actor beneath. could display II
as II IL were ACTUALLY detached from the
body. and the illusion was complete. A
comrade. jealous of his success, placed
pinch of SNUFF under his nose and soon
the detached head began 10 snesze violent
~. which changed the horror OF the specta-
tors 10 shouts of laughter.
But it is no, actors alone who are vain:
simple chorus-girls and balle,-g.ls have also
fherr In xx-Ha ha
scene opens on ire seashore storm takes
place; boys hired for the purpose shake the
green cloth that gives the Illusion OF waves.
The device had succeeded we'll, and the
public were manifesting their satisfaction
by applause. They are applauding my
wave" said one boy. Not at ALL SAID
another; Its mine!' Not on your life.
it's mine,'' a dispute ensued loud words
passed and a struggle took place in the
depths of the savage ocean. All this time
the actor was singing:
Sailors. now the wind subsidies.
Calm reign DER the waves.
But the waves had never been so much ag.-
tated; the director had TO go and re-es;ao-
lsh peace by means Of vigorous kicks in
the bosom Of the ocean.
Soldiers, too who sometimes take part
in theatrical representations. do not always
obey the actors In an eastern city n
tragedy was being acted. having for It's
subject Joan OF Arc; in the third act Joan.
IN a combat. seizes the sword OF an English
soldier The Ensl,shmsn was a soldier
who was appearing for the first time. The
actress tried 10 get the sword. but he re-
fused TO give II TO her. You shant have
my sword" he shouted in rage; Il won't
have il taken away The actress insisted.
the soldier defended himself; a struggle
took place between Joan of Arc and the
soldier, while the theater shook with laugh
ter.
One actor. whose self-loVe was wounded.
revenged himself IN an original fashion. A
bairdresser 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 hairdresser. Il sweep II
I'D and throw it away" was the answer.
What fool you are" exclaimed the actor
YOU can easily sell it; they make great
use of it in America, and l myself make
business OF exporting it, rs that so?"
said the barber "Of course: save your
hair: 1 win drop in six months from now
and take it." The bargain was struck
SIX months after the actor re-appesred. ~
have been waiting for you with impa-
t.ence." said the hairdresser; 1.-The hair is
everywhere-the back shop and even my
bedroom are full of it," SHOW IL TO me-.
The hairdresser opened chest that was
overfowing with IL Stupid cried the
actor; what on. earth have you DONE
Why. you have mixed I, all together; 1t IL
good for nothing now" And he hastily