The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-26

women sobbed at times. | made my exit
some little time before the end of the act
and of course went directly to my room
which was beneath the stage, and there
began to dress for the ball scene. and 10!
after Armand had had two or three calls
for his last speech, something set them
on to call for Camille. and they kept at
IL too, till at last a mermaid-like creature
not exactly half fish and half woman.
but bail-gown train and half dinky
little dressing sack, came bobbing to the
curtain side, delghting the audience by
obeyiug It, but knocking spots out of the
Illusion of the play.
In the fourth act Mr. Mayo played
baseball with me. He batted me and
hurled me and sometimes l had wild
fear that he would kick me- Finally
be struck my head so hard that large
gold hair pin was driven through my
scalp, and l found a few moments rest
in truly falnting from fatigue, fright and
pain.
But 1t all went. Great Heavens! How
ii WENT For Mayo was a great actor,
and It was but intense excitement that
made him so rough with me. Honestly
we were so taken aback behind the
scenes that none of us knew what to
make of the frantic demonstrations
whether it was just the result of an ex-
treme good nature in a great crowd
or whether we were giving an extremely
good performance.
The last act | can never forget. I had
cut out two or three pages from the dia-
logue in the book. felt there was too
much of it. That IL Camille did not die,
her audience would, and had built up
little scene for myself. Never would l
have dared do such thing had 1t been
for more than one performance-that
scene took in the crossing of the room
to the window the looking glass scene
and the return 10 the bed.
Dear Heaven! It's good to be alive
sometimes! To feel your fingers upon
human hearts-to know a little pressure
hurts-that a little tighter pressure will
set tears flowing. 1t was good too. when
that madly rushed performance was at
last over to lie back comfortably dead,
and hear the sweet music that Is made
by small gloved hands. violently spatted
together. Yes, 1t was very good"
And Mr.. Palmer standing I'm his box.
looking at the pleased, moist-eyed people
in front, took up the cue they offered so
promptly that within twenty-four hours
/ had been engaged to play Camille at
the Union Square" as one of a cast to
be ever proud of.
The only drawback was to be found in
It's improperly as an entertainment for
the ubiquitous young person." in the i'm
morality Of Candles life-which was
much dwelt upon. Now, oh. the pity OF II!
Now Camille. is by comparison with mod
ern plays. absolutely staid. II is the adul-
teries OF wives and husbands that the
young person" looks unwinkingly upon
to-day. Worse still. the breaking OF the
seventh commandment no longer leads 10
tragic punishment, as OF yore; but the
thuhders that rolled about Mount sianl
at the PRONUNCIATION of that awful warn
ing: Thou shalt not commit adultery
are answered now by the thunders OF
laughter that greet the taking in adult
terry Of false wives and husbands In mil
liners many-doored rooms or restaurants
cabinet particular. Alas. that the time
should come that this passion for the H.
iiclt should so dominate the stage!
one more delightful production at the
Union Square Theater | shared In, and
then my regular company days were
over.