The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-17
LONG CHASE ~ A PLAYWRIGHT.
A Sweie VINO Has Twice Crossed the
Ocean In Trying TO Catch Ills Manager.

One OF the passengers on "A transatlantic
steamer hat sailed from this port last
spring was a grave young Swcde. who
spoke to few Of his fellow-travellcrs and was
seemingly absorbed in his own thoughts.
He was seated at a table occupied chiefly
by n company of well-Erown New Workers.
on their way 10 Europe. Among them
were Charles Frohman and Paul Potter.
The young man was just as much occu-
pied in his thoughts at the table az else
where and for several days he paid no atten-
ton to the members OF the party and made
no attempt to know them.
After the steamer had been two days
out. Paul Potter. tho dramatist, was stand
ing on the deck watching a game of
SWITCHBOARD. When it was concluded, the
stranger, who was a few feet from him,
advanced and asked il he would not like
TO play "a game with him. Mr.. Potter as
scented and for half m hour they were
absorbed in the game.
When they finished and the young man
started to walk along the deck with Mr..
Potter lie seemed anxious TO make some
kind Of confidence to him. He was visibly
embarrassed. but after a while his story
came out.
II should he explained that he was a man
OF title and apparently Of wealth sufficient
for his needs, He started his story slowly.
but all the details came after awhile,
Il have written a play he said. and
nave translated it into English. When i
read 1t to the manager OF the theatre in
Stockholm he told mo that he thought
that il was n great play; too great, indeed,
To be done az his theatre or in any country
SO small as Sweden or any city 80 small IA
Stockholm. He said that so great a play
a. mine was a world play and should be
acted in a metropolis and produced by a
world manager. lie old me to make a
translation of the play into English and
take il to Charlie Frohman in London.
Il went to Iondon and tried in vain 20
see Mr.. Fruhman. | was at his hotel and
at his Office. | sont up my card but, of
course. the name of the Count y suggested
nothing to Mr.. Frohman. Then he left
London and | knew hat If ! wanted 10
see him. II would be necessary for me TO
come 10 New York.
4 had been for two months trying 10
zee the manager and ! thought / might
a. we'll make the effort complete by COM
ing here and putting in two months more.
| thought that ! would have less trouble
in getting Access 10 him in New York
where he was not likely to be so much
occupied as he was in London. SO fol-
lowed him over in the next ship.
when | got 10 New York | began call
ing again on Mr.. Frohman. | went To
his office and to his hotel. But he was
not to IT, seen.
Il made the acquaintance Of persons
who knew him. but that did not sem 10
get IN" any nearer to the manager. !
spent a winter trying to get an interview
and succeeded 80 little that when ] ~at
down at the table, ] did not know which
II the men about me wac the manager
Il am not on this steamer now for any
other purpp-r than 80 $50 Mr. Frphman.
want 20 get "a chance 20 speak 10 HIM
and -ee II b" viii allow IN" to read my play
To- hIm. don want anything els" thaH
biz promise go read D., for ] am certain thai
be will accept 10 80 soon a. he knows what
b. D. have NOT rad he cuurag" 90 speak
n" him o. yet. hut ] want 10 ak you 20
help me lf You can
II. told Nj Potter that he had In his
vii. Boo this city and wa~ coming back ON
the return "Trip ul no" steamer Then 20"
uufplicI fo him tIn weirie-t and most
Inctuuy plot Of u modern drama that was
ever evolved u dealt with modern life
and Oui-lu-.u'd li-pu iu it, melancholy
MI Potter would not uudsrtHk" 90 DIS
tar. Nj II4hWaL p fH-ao' - mind on ~"
tup uy uuugIug hIm into contact with
q druUa'lst and % scandinavian AT that
The Young man seemed It'll 90 lr afraid
q -faak 10 th' manager IT, gr'~t"d Mr.
-ulDuiIy ii every meal, bat did no
-t.'Uu go u.fl,. any ~ Dee afhrr- al the table
ono ua, &c. me- NJ Poster uu dork again
arI Todd lim chat i' hat H'sHu 81 lruhmau
Do i'N uinutr- l'iHrr and had uf"rst him
90 ",Fu uil"l 'IH manager had rrfissst and
bad iI'N vaI.'i raIHuIN away ~ hr 90
.a .f.glal f|aI 'fvt
i.y rlIYf.- .Hf.t NJ Poster met NJ
r..u.ir HHI u.H.i IUu u be- had rsfH
iI' F.iUs U.lH .N t."f ami sfHhHu ~ linn
'l. utI.fH ul Chat H' OHI
hH. Ia. aFlt I..m Dion BE- aiiri
~. ID. ar iu .. as f Ir i.I "a play =.ulr
s N.. ...f IIm
OIL. .ur u,a.H-i I-r uri tlr la-
.iu.lnI 90, N.Yrg ulau UaI
I'D. .- -. Oh. La. #.# IL.