Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-21
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-
castor when It waved over me. That
was my first appearance on the New
York stage. 1t was in 1887 at n benefit
for Master Edward Titus. aged years.
Master Joseph Jefferson. aged years.
appeared and fought a terrific broad
sword contest with said Master Edward
Titus and all but cut off the great toe
of that beneficiary. The latter was
dressed In the American colors, while I
oh, with humiliation | confess it,
was arrayed as n Spanish pirate. He
was victorious, set his foot on the van
pushed Spaniard and waved aloft the
American flag. / have rather been of
the opinion lately that | was innocently
and primarily perhaps the cause of the
present strained relatons between the
two countries"
Lady Hope. formerly May Yohe. at
last has had her fondest dream reallz.
ed, for be it 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 church
bazaar at which she assisted the
dowager duchess at one of the most at
tractivc booths.
Somebody has been digging up remi-
niscences OF Charlotte Cushman. and
as result this very improbable story
of her alleged heartlessness and penu-
robustness has found its way into print:
In the greenroom of Days Fifth Az
enue theater on the night OF Miss Cush-
mans farewell of the stage Mt Booths
theater. then under the management OF
Jarrett e. Palmer (Which was rot her
farewell at all, but clever advertise
ing scheme OF the management, all OF
Mr.. Days company had received invi-
tations to attend and be on the stage.
at the conclusion of Macbeth" while
Miss Cushman delivered her go called
farewell address. John Brougham sig
nlfed his intention of going, likewise
Davidge, and all except Frank Harden
burgh He emphatically said MOI
Being asked his reason this was his re-
ply: II was engaged at Forbes theater.
Providence. during the panic year OF
1857. Salaries were in arrears. but we
put faith in Mr.. Forbes knowing that
he was an honest man and would even-
tually pay us. Miss Cushman was an
nounced as the attraction for the fol-
lowing week, and we all felt sure that
she at least would do good business
and pull the management out of the
bad luck. Her terms at that date and
for many years afterward were 5000 per
night, and she got 1t. too, before the ris-
ing of the curtain. Business still con-
tinued bad. the star only playing 10
trifle above her certainty. Mr.. Forbes
one night during her week asked Miss
Cushman " she would not forego her
5000 for ono performance. so that he
could pay the people trine on account:
that times We're hard and he was in ar
rears to the company, Miss Cushman
answered him: No, MOI Mr.. Forbes. l
must have my money every night before
the curtain rises or / will not act. As
for the company they should be very
well contented to get bread and butter
in these hard times
That is the reason" added Mr.. Har-
lenburgh, that | will not share in the
ovation to Miss Cushman.'
Miss Alma Kruger leading lady of
the Louis James company, is a clever
raconteur.
Il shall never forget n party" said
she, organized to attend a country
circus performing in small Rocky noun
tain towns. The circus manager had
sent complimentary tickets and met us,
bowling and smiling, at the door. Wo
were shown the ghts 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 OF
lions, but l am sure this animal had
reached it. The manager displayed the
animal proudly. He said 1t was a man
eater. the fiercest lion in captivity; had
killed an unlimited number of trainers.
We looked at the ancient beast, we
looked at the manager, while the man
who did our press agenting shook his
head sadly.
"The lions performance was the piece
de resistance of the circus. The trainer,
little thin man, climbed into the cage,
lash in hand. The whip was Intended
to intimidate the fierce man eating lion,
but 1t was superfuous. for the lion after
blinking lazy eye at the Intruder turn
ed over for another nap That man
eating lion which had killed so many OF
its keepers had to be prodded and jab-
bed by the trainer to make him get up
and walk about the cage. All the time
the manager. who was also ringmaster
stood brazenly before the audience and
assured them 1t was the fiercest lion In
captivity"
Da,ts