The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-31

/ Something happened. The play seemed
good. the actors were all right, the scenery
l~ovely-indeed, there was no observable rea-
son for trouble; but trouble came. The pub
lie kept away and Mr.. Edwards was out a
great deal of money. time and talents, of
which (both time and t~alents) he possesses
many. Then, after a period of rest, the
young manager was stricken with an i'll
ness. 1t turned out to be smallpox. There
was a long period of illness and recupcra-
ton in an isolation hospital. When the
patient was himself again he took boat for
MS home in Connecticut. Something broke,
he slipped and was thrown a fall of fifteen
feet. Both arms were broken More hos
pltal, a period of helplessness and many
gentle friends. Now the youth is better,
hard luck seems in the past and the out
look is fair, indeed.
But he has materials for the book, just
the same.
Rose Flynn, one of the prettiest Of the
many pretty girls who have from time to
time set out from st. Louis to win stage
fame. will go to New York this week to
resume her place as leading young woman
In Charles Frohman's Sky Farm" a
drama of rurality.
Miss Flynn has not been long in affairs
of the stage, but she knows a good deal of
them. She has an excellent voice, and, as
hereinbefore limited. she is exceedingly pref
ty. If Miss Flynn has a serious fault. it is
one of self-consciousness, but, this being,
as a rule. a sign of youth in its pinkest,
freshest day, she has no cause for grief or
fear that it will stick.
The fine old actor who is to play for us
at the Century Theater this week is per-
haps the only man in the profession who
possesses all the men and women of it for
his praise-proclaiming friends,
Lay readers will at once think of the ven
cradle Jefferson. but he who knows the
actor man behind the scenes will tell you
that Jefferson is not liked so well within
the circle of his calling as he is out of 1t.
l have heard more than one player of re-
pute heap unpleasant speeches about the
name of Joseph Jefferson-but about that
of Stoddard, not one. For many years, this
gentleman has given the best that he has
had to the public that cares for good art.
He has ever been reliable, painstaking and
appreciative. When younger men have
pleaded illness, Mr.. Stoddard has been
ready for the work. He has faced long
journeys.
Even now he tours from New York TO /
San Francisco. He has known the one
night stand and it's timetable m.series, he
has played ten parts n week. he has done
comedy, tragedy and romance-all with
goodness. Mr.. Stoddard has even been
known to play O. Sunday nights-and he a
pillar in the church: but this has happened
only when there existed managerial reasons !
over which he had no control. Eight or !
nine years ago such an occasion arose at !
the Grand Opera-House here. when John I
W. Norton was in the local saddle. A. w. !
Palmer owned the company. and 1t seemed
to the two of them that Saints and Sin +,
ners" should be played on Sunday night. J
There were Julia Arthur. Maurice Barry
more, Ted Henley, May Brooklyn and the
venerable Stoddard. The stage appeared
to hold more persons than the auditorium.
seemed to be argument enough
against such serious playing for Sunday