The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-02
AMERICAN
VICTORY
How Miss Annie Russell
Won at London.
"A YANKEE in TRAINING.
The Story Of How She Secured the
Part Of Esmeralda,
CAREER OF FRANCIS WILSON.

NEW YORK, June 2.-[Special. mo
Dnatter what may be the varying fortunes
pf war, q substantial American victory
appears to have been won In London by
Little" Annie Russell in "'DaDgerdeld,
o." This favorite New York actress APP
peared at the Garrick thcater late last
week for the first time, where she captured
pit, stalls, boxes and galleries and was
rallied to the front four times after the fall
of the curtain.
Yet Miss Russells success can be termed
an American victory in a limited sense
only, since, while she is Yankee all
through" In sentiment and training, she
was born In England, from which country
she was brought by her parents at the age
of 4. When mere child, she played
baby part In a company supporting Rose
Eytinge. A little later the little tot was
singing In one OF the children's pima
fore companies, her role being the respon-
sible one of Josephine When she was z, her
mother made an attempt to take her back
to England, but fate and the elements
were against the project, and shipwreck
landed the embryo actress on, the coast Of
Newfoundland in highly romantic but de-
cidedly uncomfortable fashion, where
with the passengers and ships company
she was cast away for q whole week, with
little to eat and much uncertainty as to
whether rescue or starvation would reach
them first.
How She Csme TO Play Esmeralda.
Miss Russcll's first great success was in
the part of Esmeralda in the play of that
name. There was great tribulation among
the hackers and managers of the produc-
tion over the selection Of an actress for the
title role. One name after another was
suggested, thoroughly discussed and re-
jected. Then 1t was decided to hold a
competitive examination. There were
more than 80 applicants, but none suited.
William Gillette, the playwright, was chief
examiner. One day little girl, seeming
ly about 12 years old, sought him out on
the stage while rehearsal was on. She
wore short dress, long curls and n retir-
ing manner She asked II he were the
manager He said he was.
"Well," quoth the child, "I've come to
take that part.
s'What parts" queried Gillette.
"Esmeralda I've heard you have been
looking for some one to play it.
Gillette was inclined to be indignant at
first on the basis that some one had clearly
set up joke on him, but the child seemed
SO much in earnest as he looked down up
on her that he could not find IL in his
heart to be angry with her, SO he contentcd
himself with assuring her that she was al
together too young. When she saw that he
meant what he said, she went away, her
purpose delayed, but by no means aban-
doned.
Next day petite young woman, with
her back hair put up eaborately and her
form arrayad I'm sweeping skirts, called on
Mr.. Gillette. He was much impressed by
her get up and manner, and after an
hours talk ne engaged her to take tho
part never dreaming that she and the lit
tie girl he had talked with the day before
were one and the same.
Some Francis wnsonisms.
The fads of Francis Wilson, who has re-
Gently mado great hit here In the revival
of "Erminie," include several besides
tendency to build forts at the bases Of SOL
diers' monuments and the collection OF
rare books. Most of them, of course, are
gratified at his home In New Rochelle.
One of the most interesting manifestations
there-exhibited only to his most intimate
friends, however--is tiny theater, COM
plete in every detail, even to dressing
rooms, no end of scenery, elaborate me-
chanical stage outfit and an auditorium
that will comfortably seat $50 people.
The little playhouse, 1t is only fair to say,
was built chiefly to please his daughters,
nero children six or eight years ago, when
1t was constructed.
Mr.. Wilson began life at the bottom
rung, but is today one of the most broadly
cultivated men In his profession. Indeed
10 Is not going too far TO say that there are
not moro than two American actors living
whose general culture exceeds his, and IL
IL doubtful whether either Of those two
Joseph jefferson and Richard Mansfield
car, properly be considered moro learned
than he. Mr.. Wilson is an especially well
informed biographical student, and there
Is hardly character in history concerning
whom he Is not profoundly we'll read.
While the Napoleonic revival, SO called
was on he made peculiarly close study Of
the Little Corporal, for whom he then con-
ceived n violent admiration. To this day
the first consul has no more ardont de-
fender than Wilson.
Absorbed a. he often IL in literary and
biographical studies, 1t is hardly surpris-
ing that on more than ono occasion he has
gonc on the stage for first performance
with his lines only partially learned. OF
course he has always managed to pull
himself through somehow, but the mem
beir of his company, who according to his
rules are always obliged to be letter per-
feet. have frequently kicked against the
partiality shown by their employer In not
imposing a fine on himself whenever he
forgets his part. Things got TO such a
pass over this some time ago that the stage
manager consented at the urgent en-
treaties of the company 30 apply tho un!-
versal rule TO tho star on the first oppor-
tunity, though doubtless hoping that the
opportunity would be long time aeon
ing. But II wasn't--it arrived only day
or two after the agreement was made,
and, true TO his promise, the stage man
ager imposed the fine, albeit with fear and
trembling And, what is more, the star
paid up. Who he paid to and what the
money was expended for Is not knswn.
The Wet Weather Of April and May.
The atrocious weather Of April and May
has drawn out no end of speculation as ~
the cause Of such phenomenal and long
continued period of rainfall One day last
week the opinion was hazarded that II