The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-28
A DOG star ON THE STAGE.
He Is Leading Man in Robinson CRU
so, the Fairy Drama. in Paris.

so, the Fairy Drama. in Paris.
NJ. Rochard manager of one of the large
Paris theaters, gives an interesting ac-
count of certain members of the cast he
has engaged to play a grand fairy drama
from the story of Robinson Crusoe. The
hero. as every one who can read knows,
was cast upon a desert island with only
a dog for a companion He eventually
captures a goat, monkey and a parrot.
The play is now running in Paris and
the four animals play the most important
roles. So clever are they that they have
captivated the whole city The dog, es-
pecially. The parrot had an exceptional
chance to shine, for he had a speaking
part, until he became so disorderly that
ii was taken from him.
The chief interest now centers in the
dog. There are any number of wise dogs,
mathematicians who make additions and
subtractons, others who play at cards,
some at dominoes and there are acrobatic
dogs innumerable; but there never was
greater attraction than Faro II, now play
ing the part of Toby. Robinson's faithful
companion Faro belongs to an artist of
Paris, Charles Weisser. He is a shepherd
dog of Brie, very much akin to the Pyre-
nees breed. He came of excellent stock
his father, mother, grandfathers and
srandmothers were all well-known prize
winners at the bench shows.
Until he entered the theatrical profess
sion he lived quietly and happily in the
little cottage home of his painter master
at La Roch-Villebon. M. Rochard who
was in need of a dog for his Robinson
Crusoe, heard of his reputation for intel
ligence and obedience and so Faro was
engaged as head liner a a good salary.
Faro always remained Faro, though In
the play he became Toby. He was what
actors call a quick study and was soon
perfect in his lines. Though he has be-
come the almost constant companion either
of Mr.. Darmont (Robinson Crusoe), NJ
Paugand CFriday) or of Nj. RoChard yet
he never forgets his masters. At the the
alter he readily answers to his stage name
Toby" but away from it is useless to
call him Toby" as then he only recog-
nizes his proper name, Faro During re-
hearsals he often enjoys a siesta in the
private room of the manager, but the in
slant the call boy cries, Toby on the
stage" he is off to the wings like shot
During the course of the play Robinson
shoots a bird. Faro bounds after it and
carries II back not to his master. but
climbing a ladder to the hut he gravely
turns it over to the cook, Friday. He
knows every cue, and at the proper time
without waiting to be told, trots off to
fetch the thread, pipe, vegetables and ket-
tie. He enters into the very spirit of the
play. He is quite detected when Robin
son is sad but jumps with glee when
his master is finally restored to his wife
and family, rushing off TO awaken his
companions, the goat and the monkey
90 break the good tiding to them
The goat has a very simple part She
has merely to assist at the family meals
of Robinson and Friday. But the mon
key-"Ah! That COMPOUNDED monkey"
said NJ. Rochard. "He gives us no end
OF trouble. He is not over-particular
about his part; does not in the least seem
to realize or appreciate the dignity of his
profession, and when wanted al critical
moment is as often as not TO be found in
the dressing room picking the pockets of
the performers. once he deliberately
sprang from the stage and climbed into
the stall' to the CONSERVATION of a party
of ladies and children"
As for the parrot NJ Rochard wanted
at first a Macaw, but the three or four
experimental with proved so terribly vic
ious that he gave up the idea of MacaWs
and took on what looked to be very
meak-speaking parrot who soon learned
to say that Friday was fool and didn't
know the kettle. But he nevc. could be
relied upon TO speak his lines a~the right
moment. 1t developed a foudness for low
company, too, and his constant association
with the scene shifters did him no good
In fact. one night when Coco-that was his
name-made his entry on the stage he
spun off such round of awful profanity
that the management discharged him on
the Spot. The part was finally given to a
very quiet and sedate old bird, who has
never learned to speak. and whose lines
are repeated by confederate in the
wings These are the four new stars in
the theatrical armament.
Tobu II lRopIxpfelier is a bpitpvar In tba