The times., 1899-06-25
Continued Complications Con-
front COnn'S Company.
Actors Become Panicky When FL
nancial Backer Retires.
Disastrous Retreat of Locni I'M
presarios and the Result There
of-LocaI Jottings-

nancial affairs were in bad shape, and 5.
Miller Kent and J. H. Gilmore yesterday
attached the weeks receipts at the box
Office TO insure their salaries. The re-
mainder will likely be divided pro rata
among the other members of the COM
pany.
There was trouble-with a capital ''T''
and accent on the ''troub'-at the Column
bia the past week, and everyone connect
ed with the house either Intentionally or
inadvertently became more or less in
volyed therein. Naught save the proyerb
ial good humor of the local newspaper
force has so far succeeded in keeping the
facts from the public and thus ayerted
financial distress TO the actors playing
there To reach TO the bottom of the
trouble one must a tale unfold which will
strike terror to the hearts Of visiting
Thespians hereafter.
When the Frawley Company was seen
10 be making money. ambitious local i'm
presarios dreamed dreams and saw visions
in which dollar marks were literally pres
ent The chief of these enthusiasts was
George Conn, who had previously been
identified with stock companies, and got
out of the business without burning his
fingers. In this scheme he interested a
Mr.. c. A Blanchard, a man OF reputed
means and staying powers, and together
they booked Otis Skinner to bridge over
the breach between the closing engagement
of the Frawleys and the time of opening
at the Columbia with new stock company.
During the week Mr.. Conn hied himself
TO the metropolis and began emulating
the example of Frohman. DAILY, Erlanger,
ct al. and secured a strong company
through the medium of Mrs. Fernandez's S
agency. Wanting a strong leading man,
Jack" Gilmore was lifted from the EN-
pire Theatre Company, where he was
drawing s150 per week and signed at the
rather lofty salary of SIPS, q pretty ele-
yated stipend, considering the fact that
this was summer engagement Mary
Hampton was just leaving for her summer
cottage. but the temptation OF a hundred
and quarter check was too strong. and
she signed her contract with mingled
pride, humility. and satisfaction. Louis
Payne, q rather dubious proposition, re-
ceived assurances OF $50 per, and Miller
Kent held up the aspirant for Frawley's
mantle to the tune of s75. Corpulent Alf
Hudson with his long head got a prom
ise OF $50 for each OF the three weeks, and
Fanchon Campbell was promised SIS. But
the worst bargain OF the lot was that with
the antiquated Gabrielle Mexican, who held
out for $50 per, and got it. Not only this,
but she had so touching manner and her
fascination over the gay Mr.. Conn was such
that she relieved him OF SIS or $50 in ad-
vance, just as an evidence of good feeling
on his part. In fact, the only one OF the
company who came down for respectable
stipend was L. R. Grisel. who needed both
employment and money. and agreed to
handle the stage and act parts for the very
reasonable sum Of sS5 weekly. Thus ended
the prologue TO the tragedy.
The majority of the actors left Gotham
on Saturday afternoon, Mr.. Gilmore agree
ing TO follow after the evening perform
ance of His Excellency" at the Empire
He claims he missed his train. and, at any
rate, was not here at the Sunday even
ing dress rehearsal and under ordinary
circumstances would have been subjected
10 q fine Of half weeks salary. Mil
Ter Kent was not present in costume,
either. Previous TO this time the members
had been following the angel Gabrielle's
example Of touching the angel or try
ing TO do so. The trouble with Mr.. Conn
"
stead Of telling them to depart TO that
region where, despite climatic difficulties,
his satanic majesty is reputed to enjoy
the best of health, he promised each and
every actor q little sugar to sweeten their
disposition, and then found that the sac
charine trust failed to yield the neces-
sary amount. As a result OF the several
complications the dress rehearsal was a
terrible affair, and the first good work
was done on Monday. The panic had in
creased 10 a stampede by this time, and
when ii came time for the evening per-
Torrance Gilmore grew esinine and an
nounced his intention OF remaining off the
stage unless his contract was counter
signed by the house managers. Mr.. Blan-
chard was present and became consider
ably agiiated, as did Mr.. Conn. Finally
the diplomatic Luckett induced Mr.. Gil
mere TO act like an adult, having been
induced 10 serve as a medium 10 save the
disappointment of the large audience al
ready gathered. Now he wishes he had
not spoken.
The curtain rose fifteen minutes late
and the performance was an uneven one.
in the mean time, Mr.. Blanchard became
possessed of trapped pedal extremities
and announced his desire to live far from
the madding crowd. Mr.. Conn disappeared
also, and the next morning every man and
women under contract went in search OF
the young man. Failing to find him, they
turned their attention to Mr. Luckett, who
unbeknownst TO them was patiently sit
ting in judiciary Square. with his eyes
riyeted on the Census Office. where, Ii was
reported, Mr.. Conn was transacting bust
ness. The only reward for this three hours
vigil in the biistering heat was sunburned
nose and q ruffed temper, and Lucket,
returned to engage the enraged multitude
unarmed and unaided. OF course, there
were only dozen Of them, but when they
all talked al once-as they did continu-
ously-one might have mistaken them fol
a swarm OF bees, the excursionists at the
Tower of Babel, or an international pie
eating contest, without the pie. or any
such unique conclaye. Gabrielle Mexican
was the worst OF the lot, despite the fact
that she had already drawn on the i'm
presario for more money than she nat
urally would make in three weeks at heI
customary salary OF SO per. When things
would assume a calm appearance. she
would toOt her trumpet and Immediately
responsive to the call. diseord and trouble
would be resurrected. Fanchon Campbell
gullible guileless gusher that She is. sim.
ply thanked heaven that her contract was
only Of weeks duration, and Mar,
Hampton fondly gazed at her diamond:
and mournfully chanted Say Au Reyior
But Not Good-by" to the accompaniment
OF the agonizing anyil-ehorus of the othel
unforfunates.
J. Palmer Collins. whose home Is II
Mosquito Palace. near Lonesomehurst. b,
the Greek over In England, bewailed thI
fact that he was not a long distance swim
Iner. His case was really pathetic. fol
he has been identified with four preyiou
failures this year. is financially at sea, an,
wishes he were there in person. Edgai
MacGregor remembered contract he ha,
10 hoe field OF potatoes in his Slater
Island home and gazed coyetousiy at