The citizen., 1911-09-15

believed 1t feasible. but Aldrich never lost faith
in his ability to carry it to a successful concl1-
sion.
In this ideal abode are assembled thirty-one
former votaries of the sock and buskin They
are the Romeos, Menottes Rosalinds and Ca
miles of bygone days. They the idols of
your fathers and your grandfathers-yes, and
some of your great-grandfathers; for none is ad-
mtted to the home under fifty-fve, and many of
the inmates are octogenarians
On winters evening the silver-haired women
are accustomed to gather in the parlor library,
and over their sewing crocheting tell once
more of the beauty and charm of Adelaide Nell
son. the wonderful characterizations of Lucille
Western, and sublime genius of Charlotte Cush-
man; while downstairs in the billiard card
room the men have gone back to play again with
Davenport, Mccullough, Warren, Owens Burton
and the peerless Forrest. jefferson, Barrett and
Edwin Booth spoken of casually; they belong
too much to the present
"Ah. there are no tragedians like Forrest now
adays." one veteran sighs in a voice that sug
gess the ghost in Hamlet
"And no comedians like Burton" deplores an
other
NO, nor any pantomimsts like George Fox;
the art died with him." laments third
There were giants in those days" If these
veterans are to be believed; and who shall gain
say them? None can; and surely none would
care to.
Two married couples grace the home refuting
the often heard remark. There are no happy
marriages in the profession" They are Mr. and
Mrs. Samuel Chester and Mr. and Mrs George
Morton. Mr.. and Mrs. Chester have been mar
ried forty-seven years, and have seldom been
separated during their long connection with the
stage. Mr.. and Mrs. Morton have been married
somewhat shorter time than the Chesters
The oft-repeated question, "Are they happy?"
Is we'll answered in the following incident An
nl frin Af 80 tL,
tended an invitation to them to visit him and
his family at their country home. The pair re-
piled. thanking him for his invitation and apollo
gizing for not accepting, but stating that they
were so happy in their home that they could
not bear the thought of leaving it, even for a
short time
One of the most interesting figures in this
unique household is Harry Langdon-"Handsome
Harry" they called him in the days when he
played dashng parts opposite Adelaide Nelson,
Charlotte Cushman and Eliza Logan. Though
well into his eighteth year, Mr. Langdon was
reading a book without glasses when | was in
troduced to him
No, have never felt the need of glasses" he
said in answer to my question regarding it, 81
may have to get some later but now read by
either daylight artiic ial light without any in
convenience"
Tell me something about Forrest Mr. Lang
don" asked him; some anecdotes. If you can
think OF any"
There are so many" he replied, that 1t is
hard to think where to begin One that has been
told often. and sometimes attributed 70 other
people. really occurred while was present. A
young actor rehearsing part, but did not
seem to grasp the proper meaning of the lines
Forrest finally lost his patience, and after re-
hearsing the scene for the young man with all
his tragic power. turned to him and exclaimed
There that's the way it ought to be done-why
don't you do 1t like that%
If | could do it like that. Mr.. Forrest the