The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-24

i
you haven't. it's your loss. for more de-
lightful and interesting theatrical diver
! sion hasn't been seen in Providence for
many a day. It's pity that It only re-
mains here for three days, for by the
time people realize how good IL Is, 1t will
be gone. To those myriad admirers OF
Dickens, II is "A genuine treat: and TO
those who have never been able To read
Dickens apprecia tivcly-I remember that L
had my struggles, but l now number
among the many devotees OF that i'm
mortal author-it is a revelation. 'Mr.
Pickwick is positively Irresistible. Ii Is
amazing how mArvelously well the entire
company supporting Mr.. De Wolf Hop
per. and that eminent comedian himself,
manage 20 create the Dickens atmos-
phere. This is notably so IN the case of
Digby Bell that delightful and finished
actor who always makes a great deal out
Of every role IN which he is seen. i have
seen Mr. Bell In more prominent roles,
which have given him wider scope for
inimltable drollery, but 1 was captivated
by his Sam Weller II has always seemed
TO me. so infectious has Mr. Bells work
been, that he would be as funny off the
stage as he is behind the footlights, and
I've always been especially anxious to
meet him. / had that pleasure this morn
had anticipated.
He was just leaving the Crown hotel,and
was looking up and down Weybosset
street, when | captured him before he had
time to decide which way he would go
"A morning walk?" l queried, as he
stood buttoning on his glove.
Yes. / always take a walk in the morn
ing. for ] thoroughly enjoy looking in
the store windows. It's almost noon, now,
though" he added, regretfully.
"Oversleep?" l asked.
well. / slept late, but 1 haven't had
enough sleep even yet. You see. l didn't
get enough sleep Saturday night: don't
think ] slept more than three hours. and
| haven't made il up since. We played
Worcester Saturday, and at the Bay State
House where we were staying. there was a
convention of Spanish War Veterans who
were celebrating. Mr.. Hopper and / al
ways play crbbage about an hour every
night before going 10 bed, but these Span
ish War Veterans made so much noise
that we played until after o'clock Satur-
day night, hoping they would finally shut
up and get out. At last we called quits
and went 10 our little nest. We tried our
best to get TO sleep. but the survivors OF
the Spanish war continued with their
good-and-noisy time Finally, my patience
got exhausted and l got up, opened the
door OF my room which connected with
the SIldll DdllpI III NiiltH Autg NtAt iietA-
ing, and said vehemently, wish 10
heaven Spain had won
What happened?" / queried.
There was a pause, during which Mr..
Bells kindly humorous blue eyes twin
kled merrily, and then ne said in his quiet
manner:
There was a long pause at first, and
then they broke into a scream. had
shut my door with a bang. but they came
and pounded upon It. asking me 10 come
out and be elected an honorary member.
one man said ! was unpatriotic, but the
other said / was darned'-I think they
said darned.' twas something Ike 81 any
way--funny After the explosion / felt
better but declined 10 Join them. After
long time they finally dispersed and I
was able TO get a little sleep. But I
haven't made II all up yet. This morning
is 40 beautiful. that ! just couldn't stay
I'm doors. and besides haven't seen all the
big store windows yet. DO you know I
truly and genuinely like Providence. For
city OF It's size. it's amazingly alert and
alive"
How do you Ike them as theatre
goers7' / asked
We'll they're not very demonstrative |
but they always get points. / don't mind !
confesslng TO YOU however. that / work |
harder 20 get laughs In Providence than /
I'm any city IN the country. 1t was just |
the same when | was I'm vaudeville. en- |
joved vaudeville because II put me on I
my mettle I'm this city particularly And /.
1 always feel as n Providence people are p
entitled 20 my very best efforts You see
several seasons ago when | starred I'm I
n Midnight Bell ~ happened that my
vv.-..l-l-..r..- fall lIalN- -XVcllG-A few seasnns
ago every actor and manager I'm the \
country always accepted as inevitable the I
bad business and expected 90 lose money, /
so you can imagine how pleased and over 4
come ] was 90 End that we broke the at /
tendance record 81 the house up 20 that
time
Weller" I asked
so well that I couldn't like Il Weller.
Pardon me. that was awful, I admit It's /
because of lack of sleep--To be serious -
I enjoy II very much indeed. it's so dis