The times., 1901-03-17

fered numerous contracts at considerably
less money than the hctors received each
week before the strike was inaugurated.
The truth OF the matter seems to be that
during the rev weeks the RatS were
away from the theatfes the programmes
were filled with h1aay new names. and
among the newcomers quite few made
a decidedly faVora BILE impression, and
have been retained on the books of the
association. thereby crowding out some OF
the old time actors. who now are con-
fronted with the proposition OF not only
receiving smaller. salary than before
but in order To secure engag gements they
must pay the same 5 per cent commis-
sion either to the White Rats or to m
dividual booking agents Just where the
average vaudeville performer has been
benefited by the foolish strike is rather
hard to see. Some of the big people IN
the business have gained questonabie
sort OF notoriety at the expense OF lhtlI
feIlow-Rats, but the more unimportant
players may be excused for asking as 10
their exact position.
So far as has been noticed in WASH
ington the Rat strike, which occupied the
attention of the entire theatrical proitS-
sion for week or so had no effect on the
business at the Grand nor on the qui'llty
of the programmes, and were 1T not LOT
the press Washingtonians would not kno"
there was a rebellion in the ranks OF the
song and dance and monologue men
against the managers
In New York City, Lovers Lane, as
given at the Manhattan Theatre is at
present the pre-eminent success. Ihe
story of life in q small town that clyde
Fitch has devised and which has been
splenddly staged by Manager William A.
Brady is exceptionally pleasing, and from
a commercial standpoint the new piece
promises at this early date to equal Way
Down East.
Henry Jewett who plays the part OF
Lord Jeffreys i'm Klaw az Erlangers 8 pro-
duction of Sweet Nell Of Old Drury" with
Ada Rehan in the role of Nell Gwynne,
gives a splendid impersonatiOn of the
crafty chief justice of England.
Mr.. Jewett succeeded Edward j. Nor
gan in the role of John Storm in ne
Christian" in which he made great sue
cess, and early this season starred IN the
ill-fated The Choir Invisible. MT.
Jewett is most enthusiastic Christian
Scientist and delights to discuss TINS IN
teresting subject
In the absence of proximate acquain-
tance with the petty but accumulative an
novances which beset men and women en-
inent in public life and without any spe-
cific knowledge of the resources of cranks
and the devices of the enterprising, 1t may
escape the average person that a great
man has any other occupation in life than
the enjoyment of his greatness. On the
contrary. there seems to be no limit to the
demand on the time, patience, resources,
and good nature of distinguished people.
Louis Kossuth, the great hungarian pa
triot, was actually put to the expense OF
paying a secretary to write autograph
beggars that he could not grant their re-
quests. Ellen Terry put the autograph
fiend TO the practical test of buying her
signature with a contribution to bed tn
a London Hospital. Helen Gould gave the
detailed figures OF Sl,31,pOJ worth OF re-
quests for money only in single day
As rule the men and women or the
stage are free from other demands than
may be satisfied with an autograph. An
exception is said to be Richard Mansfield.
This may readily be believed on account or
his fame both in this country and in Eu-
rope. He. too puts autographs on a basis
of a paying charity. However, his reputa-
ton. his rapid earnings, the value OF his
name. and other considerations make MIN
a constant mark for certain Vatnly enter
prising people.
Some one recently fiippantly asked of his
secretary what other labors his sinecure
involved beside enclosing autographs and
licking stamps. which nettled the young
man and drew from him some interesting
particulars of the diversified fusiilade of
prayers and demands of which Mansfield
is the target.
quests they are in an Insignificant minori-
ty nuisance who presents himself reg
ularly is the professional palmist, who
wants to read Manstield's hand. take an
impression, and make him the feature of
his forthcoming book. There Is the com
piIer Of those half morocco. gilt-edge,
colored illustrations. presentation copy
compilers of "Grea Men of the Cen
tury," WHO want a history of his life II
ne accepted all the Invitations TO pose be-
fore cameras he could attitudinize before
the bulls eye for the rest of his day and
have enough free photographs TO give sou-
. " ar Il, 70 glr
Then there are the letters asking advice
begging gifts or loans soliciting situa-
tons. or offering to act.
Letters asking advice tally up close
with the autograph requests and only a
little less numerous are the invitations
for him to become patron for this or that
| charity enterprise. Since naming musical
compositions Tor successful plays has
come into vogue he has had more than
his share of attention from the com.
poserS. Some of the evidences Of taste
on the part Of the harmOnists have given
! the NeeueSt amusement TO Mr.. Mansfield
| The "Cyrano de BergeraC' waltZes and
the Beau Rrummel" minuet might no
| be SO bad, but fancy the composers who
| wished to exploit the "ShyioCk' sChot-
! tische, The Jekyl and Hyde" polka ma
zourka the King Richard III" lancers
| and the Emperor Napoleon gaIop.
Mansfieids g recent indispOstiOn and his
three weeks Illness last year brought 4
! him singular testimonials Of affectionatt
| interest in the shape of home remedies
| aud domestic cures for his throat. Others
/ were patent medicine nOStrums with a
! string attached in the shape of an un-
! signed Sip. Your Acme Throat Tonic
gave instant relief with blank line
| for hinr~to sign Richard Mansfield" But
sick or we'll there are manufacturers oi
| soaps. toilet waters, face tonics, anC
| other articles who express all degrees
| Of anxiety TO have his name for trade
| mark or at least endorsement. from sim
| ple to m0ntyed requests The fact thai
| Mr. Mansfield has a private car with hi:
| own cook suggests to food manufaCtur
! ers wine merchants, water bottlerS, an.
! purveyors of table deiicaCies nUmberles;
! schemes to get him to use their goods II
| hopes OF an endorsement
| Altogether IL requires an active secre
! tarv. as well as sense OF self-respeCtinf
| dignity and firm capacity to say no K
| he eminent without offence TO the pro
| prieties.
| Mistress Nell, will return to New YorI
lacks Theatre where she will close he
| own and the theatres season.
| In returning to New York with Mis-
| tress Nell" Miss Crossman makes an
! other record, in accord with her phenom
| enal success, having appeared in ont
| season in three New York Theatres an'
| in the same play. The fact that Mis-
| Crossman has been recalled to New Y Yorl
| is proof of her substantial success during
! her metropolitan engagement, eXtendin
! through three months. and is a compli
! rnent that has not been bestowed upO
| anv other artist that can be called t
| mind at present
| When Miss Crossn1an closed her engage
| ment at the Savoy In "A rather Sensationa
| manner some months ago deep regre
| was expressed that so clever an artis
was forced out of New York. Her .casol
on the road. however has been very sue