The sun., 1901-05-23
TOPICS OF THE THEATRE.
TIE hIsPORTJNE OF DEVOTED
FRIEND OF THE PLAYERS.
Lsuis Aldrtchs Collapse Attributed TO over
work for the Actors Fund-EdnA wallace
Hopper Pays . High Price for Publicity
and for . Record IN seif-Exploit alton.


Tho mental breakdown Of Louis Aldrich
surprised those who did not know OF his loss
OF health. He used 10 be a particularly
robust actor In the late BARLEY Campbell's 9
NV Partner In which hs made some fame
and more money. That venture was In part
n.rship. professionally and commercially.
with Charles T, Psrsloe. Jr.. who had one
third share Of tho business The play, in its
simple story OF rough miner taking pon
himself the sin OF his younger and smoother
comrade. has been regarded as Mr., Camp
halls best writing Mr. Aldrich was admir-
able A. the blur fellow with tender heart.
Mr. Parsoe figured as comic Chnaman
After the piece was at length worn out. Mr..
Aldrich retired on a competency for life,
though he lost some OF his capital later In
The Editor" play that failed. His last
public appearance was in revival OF Anson
Ponds Her Atonement." David Belasco
lately gave My Partner" revision. and
arranged TO send him on tour with II next.
season, but the project Is now abandoned
As he is quite unable to do any thing requiring
mental eNertion,
Mr.. Aldrch devoted himself body and soul
for many years to the Actors Fund. OF which
hs was a working President. lie devoted
his thought and time alto gether to that
theatrical charity. and Al Hayman. who was
elected in his place last week, believes that
,6e oyerWork was the cause OF insomnia ana
ultimate nervous prostration. II was he VINO
rassed upon most OF the applications Tor
assistance. and, as he was extremely con-
sleutiOus. the duty OF saying No TO many
drunken or otherwise unworthy persons
vAs a constant strain on his sympathles
His ambition was to establish home LOT
disabled stage people deserviqg snGh reifgsef err Sf
$40 90. which led quickly up 20 about S0,OOp,
A site has been bought on staten Sian d
Tor what should be named the Aldrioh Home
Edna Wallace Hopper and Lillian Russell
have for several years ran a close race for
the record in originality and amount OF per-
sopal exploitation. but yesterday the little
commedienne took sudden squirt that left
Miss Russell away back.
Mrs Hopper Is a devotee OF horse racing
and the prospect of appearing in a matinee
OF "Florodora" on Saturday while the Brook
lyn Handicap was being run she declared
unbearsble. On Tuesday evening she asked
John c Fisher. the manager Of "Floro-
doro what he would sell Saturday after
Moons house for He told her that the
capacity was 900 and that at every rec'ni
iafon in Mrs Hopper said. Il will pay you
s. 70l 10 give no performance / must so 10
The Brooklyn Handicap Mr. Fisher re-
egrdad the Offer as a Joke, nut Yesterday
sNDrning Mrs Hopper gave a check for the
Sl zoo An encouragement signed by Mr
FISHER was put on the bulletin board AZ the
stage door telling the company that there
would he no MATINEE People who came 70
buy tickets got the same Information
There is no doubt Of the genuineneNs of ihlS
thing There Is no deception about II. Mrs
U5pDer thu. buys for herself the first place
among American stage advertisers
All the Lillian Russell devices are eCIips"d
and those NJ Sadie Martinot. Anna Hold and
. hundred others The actual cost Of this to
Mrs Hopper is proved by The number oi
prospective purchasers of tickets tor heAl
saturday afternoon who have already boon
turned away and by Mrs Hopper's certified
check or course. the actress Will be - con,
spic.ous figure at the race That she VIII
therefore enjoy the sport keenly Is sure
Rut even as business investment her outlay
is proha bly, shrewd 1t will bring 70 her an
amount and kind Of celebrity worth NOR"
than 81 700 TO an actress desrous OF Obtain
iag u