Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-04-14

THAT is one thing 1 like about Ameri-
cans. They do not lack in respect to the
great ones who have died. They do not
forget them. They pay due honor to their
memories. No one can go into that club
and see the little mementoes of Booth
without feeling the sentiment of it."
In discussing the comparative merits of
Italian actors, Novelli mentioned Morelli
as being, to his mind the greatest of
all with the one exception of Tommaso
Salvini. Moreli, he said, was great in
every role his versatility was marvellous.
And Rossi was great too, in the society
drama, but Salvini-"well, l have no words
to express my admiration of his genius"
Mr. Noveli said. He made a gesture
which expressed more than tongue could
say, and when Novelli has reached the
end OF his vocabulary it means more than
the incapacity of the average speaker.
Novelll then spoke Of his early years
From 10 to 16 he knew what it was to suffer
from want for his father had fallen from
the high estate Of actor and actor man
ager, and finally had only small salary as
prompter in an insignificant company and
his pay was often in arrears.
Then the boy, Ermete, did chores about
the theater, giving his money to his father,
went hungry himself, and meanwhile he
took every opportunity to stand in the
wings, listening with rapt attention to
everything that was said, studying the
methods of recitation and the art Of the
actor.
One evening he took it upon himself to
express TO an actor the contempt he felt
for a portrayal of a mood Of desperation
in which the man had no expression at his
command but TO tear his hair. To his re-
greet he found that the actor had other
means at hand when he wished to show
his indignation to a small boy and
Ermete's bruised body forbade his prac-
Using in the role of critic again for good
many years. 1t may be that in this in
cidont is the secret OF NovelPs tolerant
attitude toward the critics
When he first began to act his father
was in despair, for he simply would not
use the words Of the accepted text When
they struck him as silly or unsuited to the
situation, he would imprOvise words of his
own in spite Of the protests OF the manager
and the other players. The public recognized
his cleyeTness, stood by him and helped
him to gain little by little the originality
Of method that has made him one of the
famous actors Of the world
Finally he reached the point where he
became his own manager and was able TO
train others in the way he had trained him
self. Having succeeded in forming a COM
pany to his taste, he passed through all the
towns and cities of Italy and everywhere
gained laurols. Then he went to Spain
and to South America, France, England
and in fact to all parts Of the theater low
ing world.
once" he said, when / was only 15
my father and l were engaged by the De
Sanctis company. he as prompter and l In
very small parts. We were 20 join the rest
IN small town in AIantua, but We had no
money TO travel the usual way and l de-
cided to go on foot, while my father could
borrow money sufficient for his journey.
Il walked an entire day and night like
Reno in the 'Promessi Sposi.' but while
he was only in fear Of being pursued by
the police l was actually pursued by a
consuming hunger, and had neither crust
Of bread nor liTa IN my pocket 10 obtain
wherewith to appease II. l arrived at
Peggio 10 be confronted by a restaurant,
and with great assurance entered and
ordered dinner.
Having consumed enough for four or
hvs people I became a normal person