The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-23
NAT GOODWIN TELLS
ABOUT HIS FIRST HIT.

1t was due to ]. H. Stoddart, the fine
old character of The Bonnie Brier
Bush, that Nat Goodwin made his
first hit on the stage That was twenty
years ago, when Stoddart was scoring
his great success at the old Union
Square theater. New York. as Pierre
Michel in the memorable production of
Rose Michel" Goodwin had an en-
gagement at a variety theater doing
limitations Of leading actors. He had
not yet become famous. Stoddart's
work as the old murderer in Rose Mi
chez made the piece the talk of the
town, and as Mr.. Goodwin says:
I knew if could only succeed in
reproducing one of Stoddart's tremen-
dous scenes in the famous French play
1 could own New York. So for days al
most weeks, / went about muttering
speeches of the old mans; but. do what
1 would. I could not get the proper in
donation or accent. One night. however,
1 happened to run across Fred BrytOn,
who had with him his dresser, a pecul-
lar sort of fellow who was more than
clever in initiating actors of celebrity.
At Fred suggestion he gave us a spec
linen of StOddart's peculiar style, and
was amazed at his cleverness. This is
my man, I said to myself, and then.
watching d 1dNOIdDlG OPPORTUNITY. L got
him into a corner and had him go over
the thing for me half dozen times.
That night I fairly talked it off in my
sleep, and the next morning while at
the breakfast table ] said to my wife
eliza Wethersby), Liz. have it
Have what?' said she looking up
from the paper then spread out before
her.
Why, the imitation of old man
7 II
fellow last night
wen, let's hear it, said she. And
so began:
Rose. Rose. I have been a bad man
to you I have thieved and murdered; I
have
Not bit like it, Nat said she.
Not bit like it,
Well felt somewhat disappointed,
of course. but did not despair entire
~ and all that day 1 went about NUT
tering to myself Rose, Rose etc, one
of Stoddarts striking sentences in the
play. I pulled down the corners of my
mouth. worked my eyebrows as Stod-
dart did and fairly exhausted strength
and ingenuity in an endeavor to get the
thing right, but to no avail That night
in desperation 1 hunted up Brytons
valet and, getting him away from the
crowd had him repeat that speech for
it after him word for word and line for
line, and that night half rehearsed it
in half suppressed whispers until I fell
asleep, still mumbling TO myself At
brea kfast I repeated it over again in
whispers behind my paper, when all of
a sudden it came to me like a revela-
ton. Jumping to my feet. I said:
I have it now. Liz. you can bet
your life
well. let's hear it she said in
half Indifferent manner, scarcely lift
ing her eyes to me as I began. Rose,
Rose. have been a bad man
= Great exclaimed my wife, not
waiting for me to finish. Great, Nat
tyI Now. if you do that well tomorrow
night at the benefit performance your
reputation is made
We'll" continued Nat. the night Of
/ the benefit came. Old Stoddart. you
must remember. was the talk of New
4 York at the time, and when I walked
out on the stage there was not soul
applauded him as the theatrical sensa-
ton of the hour. I was almost afraid
to begin, but after the little applause
of my reception had died away gave
them a little bit of Stuart Robson. a
portion Of Jefferson's RiD- a line or two
Of Frank Mayo. finally coming to Stod-
dart.
Rose Rose had only got
that far when the applause started. and
/ by the time I had fnished-well. did I
make a hit2 Why. say. they nearly
tore the roof off the house and the next
day it was hard to tell who was top
most in the sensat ton. old man Stoddart
or l."