The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-14

They're stretched along the sidewalk
from Thirty sixth street to the south az Tar
as Fortieth street on tho north, keeping
always to the east side Of Broadway. stand
ins In groups that may number az many as
Ten or as few as two. Sometimes a soli-
,sry figure. his straw hat down over his
ewes, swinging a cane and chewing a tooth"
nick, stares at tho passers, He would tell
YOU that he was looking 'cm over If you
stopped to ask him what he was doing.
But il is seldom that one secs an actor
for these are the actors alone They do
not come 10 New York to he alone. They
hurry back here when the season is closed
to get engagements for the next year TO
meet their friends and above all, to breathe
for while the atmosphere of Broadway,
SO they take their places ther" in tho early
morning. and the late afternoon sees them
reluctantly dispersing
One will look In vain for John Drew,
D. Haokett. 4. II. So,hern or Jameson
Finney among the groups. Nor will actors
much lees known to the public he seen.
Even persons moderately familiar with
the theatre world would fail to recognize
many OF the faces,
Further UP town. In the region Of the big
chop houses. the crowd begins to look
more familiar. 1t is there, in fact, that the
arstocracy Of these summer visit ors daily
sud nightly gathers. Less preten'ious
and less costly establishments entertain
the unknown members Of tho crowd
About the Casino the perpetually smiling
features OF Eddie Foy may occasionally
be seem Dan DAILY walks up from the
Herald Square Theatre frequently in the
afternoon to stand by the theatre in which
he made his reputation and was funny
hefore he wanted 10 be star But the
great majority of faces will be- unfamiliar
even to persons who follow the doings OF
actors.
This army of actors descends annually
on New York when the theatrical season
ends. Usually the managers are required
by their contracts to carry the actors after
the close OF the season to any point they
may name. Most Of them name New
York. Of course.
Whether they are engaged for the next
eeason or not. whether they finish their
work here or far from their homes they
want to come to New York and stand for
Q while with their colleagues on Broad
way. The theatres are closed when they
arrive here and managers are not always
cordial to them. But it is not for the plays
that they come here. II is to revisit the
Rialto that they all love SO well.
They frequently come in search OF engage
ments. Such actors 60 first the theatrical
exchanges. The exchange furthest down.
town is at Thirt y-sixth street, and here one
meets the 6rst group.
Most OF the men are Young and some Of
them in a very striking way good looking.
As rule they are pale and except for GER
tain pecnlarities Of dress. inconspicuous.
They are addicted to speot ocular head.
gear and the brim of the Panama curls
more gracefully than modestly around
their heads.
Automobile and Yachting caps rest on
tho heads OF many OF them. Yachting
shoes and flannel shirts sometimes obi rude
themselves aggressively on the vision.
and their hair is frequently long and occa-
sionally curly.
What kind Of a year was it," asked
Panama decked actor Of another. How'd
they treat you?"
The worst ever" was the answer. Three
months OF one-night stands that made Lima.
Ohio. look like New York. II beat all I'd
had before. They wanted me again this
year for the same part, but passed it up
up against " InyseII, was tDe cneeT-
less response from the other. Played in
. stock company three months, giving two
shows a day and new part every week.
sometimes two.
That busted, leaving us all month
shy on salaries. The women got half, but
We got nothing Then l had six months
more Of the same sort Of thing in another
stock company.
II got my money there, That was the
only improvement, tell You there'll he no
etock with twelve shows week for me-.
The two had sympathized naturally,
and told the truth without pretnnce They
had both been up against it, and as com
panions in misfortune were willing to
talk about their troubles. But change
came in a minute. Both were standing on
the streetFn front Of theatrical exchange,
aud both had just put their names down on
the list.
What are you doing next season." asked
the first Panama after IL became perfectly
plain that the other was not going TO ask
the question
Haven't decided yet" answered the
second in tired voice. "Frohman's been
asking after me. Don't know just what he
wants, but I've been tipped Of not to sign