Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-06


vcnor, commonly known Gentleman
George. Nobody knew the age of Gentle
man George. He a superb wig, and his
teeth were fine and his figure erect; but he
had been heard to hint darby at having
PLAYED with Edwin Forrest in his prime, and
the glory of his life that he had played
the Ghost to Fechter's Hamlet The fact
that he had been stranded with Shakes
pearean company in the old town had never
made him swerve from his allegiance to the
well known Elzabethan leading and
successful playwright, William Shakespeare.
Gentleman George prided himself on having
the walk the voice, the impressive manner,
of Shal,espearean actor. He kept body
and soul together through the kindness of
Studlcy, the local manager. Studey would
preface the odd jobs he got for Gentleman
George by saying:
"Oh by the way, Mr.. Grosvenor,
in tight place this week for an extra foot
man in the play, or whatever other trifling
Job he could get for Gentleman George Il
hate to ask you; but it would be a real
accommodation to us ii you could help us
out"
At which Gentleman George, assuming
magnificent air of condescenson, would re-
ply "NIv dear Stu1ley, apology is neces-
sary. | shall always be most happy to &C
commodate you.
The managers policy entirely differ
ent with the second member of the theatrical
COLONY Madame de Montrevilc, whose real name
Susan Higgins, who would seventy again.
"Comc now Arabella" Studey would say, 81 want you
to look your pettest tonight and take the part of the
grandmother who mps twice the stage and has
only two lines to say. III warrant the grandmother
will eclipse the leading lady"
At this, Arabela would poke the manager playfully
in the ribs 4What delightful liar you are, Studey!
l know am the ugliest old woman in North America
but once looked like this.
Madame de Montrevie always carried with her
miniature of herself when she eighteen. 1t showed
dazzling loneliness, of which nothing remained in the
lined and wnkled old face except the glorious eyes,
blue lakes of light still.
Gentleman George and Madame de Montrcvillc each
had a third story back room a tall old lodging house
just behind the theater, and were not unhappy. They
drank together every afternoon, and lived over their
days of glory.
The third in the theatrical colony also lived in the
lodging house. This John Maitland, which was
both his real name and his stage name He was still
under thirty pale hollow checked young man with
cough and many rheumatic pains. He had regular en-
ployment in the theater prompter; but the prompt
box drafty place and his cough and rheumatism
which got well in the summer always came back in the
winter Once he too had rod the boards He had been
looked upon of the rising young in the pro-
fession Then suddenly cough and rheumatism fell
upon him like wolves, and he to the old Southern
city, where at least he could live.
Studley was good to him too, and often said, "Why
don't you write play Maitland? You university
man. you ought to know something about writing and
you know a lot about the stage.
Universities don't teach play writing responded
Maitland with smile "Play writing is not litera
ture, but life However, God knows few at twenty
nine have known of life than |. | went to the
university, and have landed in the prompt box"
MARRY rich girl" suggested Studley, "and write
great play
Maitland laughed melancholy laugh and showed
his shabby clothes. @Not that it is your fault Mr.
Studey," he FASTENED to say; "but the doctors bills