The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-25
Stories of
The Stage,

Now comes Joseph Jefferson. actor,
and confesses that he is responsible for
the trouble with Spain. At dinner
recently given in New York Mr.. Jeffer-
son said: "The singing OF the Star
Spangled Banner reminds me OF an oc-
caslon when II waved over me. That
was my first appearance on the New
York stage. II was IN 1897 at q benefit
for Master Edward Titus. aged years.
Master Joseph Jefferson, aged years.
appeared and fought terrific broad
sword contest with said Master Edward
Titus and all but cut off the great toe
OF that beneficiary. The latter wa3
dressed in the American colors. while I
--oh, with humiliation 1 confess IT'LL
was arrayed as a Spanish pirate. He
was victorious. set his foot on the van
quished Spaniard and waved aloft the
American flag. / have rather been Of
the opinion lately that was innocentIy
and primarily perhaps the cause OF the
present strained relations between the
two countries"
Lady Hope. formerly May Yohe. az
last has had her fondest dream realiz-
ed. for be 1t known that the American
chorus girl has entered British society
under the chaperonage Of no less an
important parsonage than the dowager
Duchess of Newcastle. The entree OF
Lady Hope into the circle to which her
marriage entitled her to be admitted
was through the medium of a church
bazaar. at which she assisted the
dowager duchess at one Of the most at
tractive booths.
Somebody has been digging up remfs
niscences OF Charlotte Cushman. ana
as a result this very improbable story
of her alleged heartlessness and penu.
riousness has found its way into print:
In the greenroom OF Days Fifth Av~
enue theater on the night Of Miss Cush-
mans farewell OF the stage at Booths
theater, then under the management Of
Jarrett & Palmer (Which was not her
farewell at all, but q clever advertis-
ing scheme OF the management)s all Of
Mr.. Daly's company had received invi-
tations to attend and be on the STAGE
at the conclusion of Macbeth whil0
Miss Cushman delivered her 50 called
farewell address. John Brougham sig-
nified his intention of going, likewise
Davidge and all except Frank Harden~
burgh. He emphatically said mol
Being asked his reason, this was his ro~
ply: II was engaged at Forbes theaters
Providence, during the panic year %
1857. Salaries were in arrears. but We
put faith in Mr.. Forbes, knowing that
he was an honest man and would evens
tually pay us. Miss Cushman was ans
nounced as the attraction for the fol~
lowing week, and we all felt sure that
she at least would do a good business
and pull the management out OF the
bad luck. Her terms at that date and
for many years afterward were 500 per
night, and she got ii. too. before the ris-
ing of the curtain. Business still COM
tinued bad, the star only playing TO .
trifie above her certainty. Mr.. Forbes
one night during her week asked Miss
Cushman If she would not forego her
5000 for one performance. Sc that no
could pay the people a trifie on ccounts
that times were hard and he was In ar-
rears to the company. Miss Cushman
answered him: No. no! Mr.. Forbes. I
ynust have my money every night before
the curtain rises or will not act. Al
for the company, they should be very
well ccntented 20 get bread and butter
I'm these hard times
"rbat is the reason" added Mr.. Har.
denburgh. that I will not share In the
ovation to Miss Cushman."
Miss Alma Kruger. leading lady Of
the Louis James company, Is clever
raconteur.
1T shall never forget party" said
she organized to attend q country
circus performing in small Rocky noun
| tain towns. The circus manager had
sent complimentary tickets and met us,
bowing and smiling. at the door. We
were shown the sights before the gem
eral audience was admitted. The en-
| tire menagerie belonging to the circus
consisted of one NANCY. asthmatic old
lion. I do not know the age limit or
lions hut I am sure this animal had
reached it. The manager displayed the
animal proudly. lie said 1t was q man
eater the flercest lion in captivity: had
kiued an unlimited number OF trainers.
| we looked at the ancient beast. we
locked at the manager. while the man
who did our press agenting shook his
head sadly.
"Tbe lions performance was the piece
| Az resistance OF the circus. The trainer,
a ,,tt,e thin man. climbed into the cage.
10 an in hand. The whip was intended
to iptimidate the fierce man eating lions
hut n was superfiuous. for the lion after
blinking a lazy eye at the intruder turns
"a over for another nap. That man
| eating lion which had killed so many Of
its keepers had 10 be prodded and jab-
he'd bv the trainer to make him get up
| and walk about the cage. All the time
the manager who was also rinemaster.
stood brazeniy before the audience ana
assured them II was the flercest lion In
captivity"