The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-26
THE WEEKLY eRIsr.
Funny Stories Told by Actors on and
OFF the StaCa

One of the remarks of Lawrence Bar
rett, and one that will be recalled as
long as the stage anecdote is popular.
was that which he made to an earnest
but somewhat inartistic young amateur
who was a member of his company.
The actor in question is. well known
today and ranks well with the best lead
ing men OF the country. AT that time,
however, he had not developed the abil-
ity which he now has. and in Julius
Caesar" appeared in one of the scenes
in white toga, bordered with red. He
had wound this about himself most ar
tistically until he resembled an ANNA
ted stick of striped red and white candy.
However. very different comparison
was suggested to the mind of Barrett.
the star, as he beheld the beginning As
soon as he could get across the stage IN
the vicinity of the young actor. he ex-
claimed angrily in a loud whisper:
For heavens sake, get off the stage
get of the stage! You look like sore
fingeri"
Brander Matthews. in a lecture on
the drama, told the Columbia students
Of an incident showing the rare pres
ence of mind of William Charles Ma
cready. According to Mr.. Matthews. he
got the story from an old man who saw
Macready far back in the fortses-
In a shipooard scene the actor paced
the deck while the canvas representing
the sea was kept in motion by the
walking beneath of men with half-bent
bodies. The cloth had been worn TO
thinness by dint of much use. When
Macready came to the most impassion-
ed part of his monologue and the waves
were rising higher and higher. the audi
enee was astounded TO see red head
pop up through the crest OF wave.
The actor saw il, too, and for a moment
he looked as if he were disconnected;
but it was only for a moment. Raising
his voice, he shouted:
Man overboard!"
And this made the people cheer and
praise Nacready all the more
1.-The cutting sarcasm of Charles Hoyt
was exceeded by his good nature" said
John r. Stirling. I well remember an
instance when he gave severe jolt 10
a prominent actor. Hoyt was seated in
a box witnessing and picking flaws in
the first performance of one of his
farces. a telegram was handed him,
which read:
eff a success. very much desire
leading role in your new piece
The name OF a very prominent actor
@Hovt quickly turned the message
over and wrote the following reply on
the other side:
~YaI, are alone in your desire
This he handed to the usher with
instructions that il be sent at once. and
then he turned his attention to the
stage again"
Theatrical managers are supersti-
tious individuals. Even at Drury Lane.
which is mana ged by so practical a
man as Mr.. Arthur Collins, there Is
mascot which II would be treason for
any one to move" says the Mail Inns ms
| is the figure to be seen over the box
Office in the vestfbule, which many peo-
pie regard as dog
las a matter of fact it is a stuffed
foaL This little animal was born on
! the stage of Drury Lane during the run
of the pantomine of Cinderella IN
1ss3-'S4. the mother being one OF the
ponies which drew the beautlful car
riage in the last scene Only one mar
of the staff is allowed to dust this
treasure"
George H. Broadhurst. playwright
being DESTROYS OF owning an autono-
bile. strolled into ''mobilery'' shor'
attendant showed him several ma.
chimes. explaining their various gooC
points and finally took the playwright
for a little spin.
what do you think of this one?'
inquired the chauffeur as they dashed
madly around the corner
Great replied Mr. Broadhurst en-
Enthusiastically. oh. by the way. whai
Twelve thousand dollars" replied
the chauffeur, nonchalantly.
As the auto came TO a stands-in Mr.
Broadhurst remarked to the attendant
How did you know l was the author
of a Fool and His Money!"
William Gillette is a good Sherloci
Holmes. but he does not know every
thing: that is, where old Neptune's
sons are concerned.
While cruising in the bay in his yacht
Aunt Polly. he met an old salt whom
4 he hadn't seen since his last trip there
How are you?" said Gillette
Pretty fair, but a little deaf in my
left ear
We'll, you're no longer young, yol
know. and"
"DiviI a bit it's the age" interrupted
the old sailor. Sure. me right ears
as Cd as the left one, and can heal
foine in that"
Theatrical Notes.
| Katheryn Osterman appears TO have Sc
cured permanent success in Miss Petit
coats dramatization of Dwight Tiltoni
novel.