Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-13

''supe' from ennui and a desire to do
something.
Arguing along these lines. Mr.. Sher-
wood refers to a show which played here
only recently. In the big race track scene
a number Of handsomely gowned "supes
were placed conspicuously in boxes near
the course that the proper society tinge
might be given. Mr.. Sherwood AYERS that
some of the gowns worn were worth from
500 to $780, and were furnished by the
women themselves.
1.-The number of reasons why people
come on the stage as SuperS in as extern
sve as the number of people themselves
says Mr.. Sherwood land to analyze the
reason for each impulse would be the task
of psychologist rather than stage d.
rector. Some wealthy. refined women
have driven up to the stage entrance with
their maids and asked permission to go
on as superS for one or two nights just
for lark
"Others join from curiosity others to
study the leading actors at close range
without having to pay their way IN,
others because they are stage-struck.
others because they wish to learn and
others because they need the money.
The list of reasons is as long as the list
of individuals
Men like Mr. Sherwood are able to re-
count numerous stories Of the supers
Mr. Mansfield, the noted tragedian.
some years ago was playing Julius
Caesar taking the character Of Brutus.
In the crowd of supes was one young
man rather thin as to limb and with an
expression of countenance reminding one
of a defunct fish. His eyes were his
great drawback. He was near-sighted
and possessed vacant. watery stare
that made one nervous. This young man
was devotedly fond of Shakespeare. The
dream of his life was to become famous
tragedian-as great as Mansfield-and. to
sway audiences.
In the scene Of Brutus' death Mansfield
was about to strike himself with the
knife, when he noticed he was not the
only one being watched. CHANGING in the
wings, he saw the fshy-eyed young man
gazing at him in rapt attention, mouth
open, eyes distended, his whole being ap-
parently carried away by the strength OF
his emotion. He also noticed that the
young mans head was visible to the au-
dience.
Mansfield was possessed of wonderful
self-control on this occasion. He did not
attempt to wave back the young devotee,
but continued his final scene without in
terruption, and by his splendid acting
drew the attention of the audience from
the fishy-eyed head that reached out
from the wings.
Mansfield went through the death throes
of Brutus in his marvellous depletion Of
the Romans suicide and the fishy-eyed
young man watched and watched until
the cutain dropped and the hushed 81
lence outside told of the wonderful i'm
preston the great actor had made.
Once off the stage Mansfield was him
self again. Loosing the Walls of his wrath.
he proceeded to dissertate, illuminate and
fume upon the young mans shortcomings
his evident lack of character, his idiocy
and his general absurdity.
''Did you think that your face would
improve the scene?" demanded he with
whitening scorn.
The terrified young man shrank from
him. His fishy eyes bulged with terror
II didn't know where l was,'' he trem-
bled; Ill think I was overcome by your
acting, Mr.. Mansfield
Are you paid to supe in this play or
display your complex emotions?" harshly
demanded the star.
The young man did not answer. His
chin faltered and his fishy eyes seemed
on the verge Of tears. Blindly, unseeing-