The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-21


Dealer.
~ DOR Della Fox! Doubtless thou
- sands of readers yesterday morn
ing uttered this remark when they
read of her sudden death in New York.
She was one of the saddest examples Of
what happens to the favorites of the
moment on the stage. after they have fe-
come victim of the pubic's fickleness
and no longer bask in the light that radi-
ates from popularity. / have no doubt
that she had enough money to see her
through; she could command "a good sal
airy as long as she remained on the stage
Managers would book her and attempt to
re-establish her vogue, but the audiences
of the country sat back in their seats cold
and unmoved. They would not even ap-
plaud or give her any sign of approval
of her efforts to entertain them. After
running her little circuit, she would go
back TO New York, sad and depressed
disappointed and unheralded. For time
she futtered across the country like IA
gorgeous butterfly. The biIboards
screamed her praises and there were
gaudy pictures of her in the newspapers
and magazines. Everybody said she was
one of the daintiest and cutest little per-
sons who ever stepped before the foot
the many, and finally was not so welcome
on the stage as some new soubret from
burlesque.
Della's heydey was doubtless when she
was associated with DeWolff Hopper in
Wang" She met with some success
after that, but she was never just the
same.
Last time I talked with her, the con-
ditions under which she attempted to re-
ply to the questions of my interview were
pathetic In the extreme. 1t was in sum
ner, a time when she had previously been
spending the time in luxurious rest at
some seaside or mountain resort. She was
trying to o"'make hay and snapped at the
offer Of vaudeville tour even in the hot
days. She wore the boys togs that for
mery delighted the people, she climbed
upon the table, kid fashion, and sang the
same song that she used to sing, smoking
a cigarette She did several other stunts
in her vaudeville turn that people had ap-
plauded earlier in her career Then she
left the stage. | was standing in the
wings and naturally gave her time, before
speaking to her, to respond to curtain
call, or at least to acknowledge some sort
of applause which usually goes to the
most second rate performer. Della waited
Not hand in the audience moved. The
curtain fell to dead Silence, Just about
the saddest thing for an actor that can
happen in a theatre.
The comedenne burst out crying and
came over and sat down on trunk before
she went to her dressing room. Suddenly,
however, she seemed to realize that she
must put forth an effort to be brave"
So she said you see it's too hot, but I'll
get them vet. U's not going to be my
fault If they don't applaud I'll give them
my best" And she gave them her best
later in the week. but on inquiry found
that her reception the day I was behind
the scenes was duplicated by the later
audiences of the week.
Della Fox was a jolly little person. Her
friends loved her ana enjoyed her COM
panonship. She usually spoke out straight
from the shoulder and prejudiced many
people against her, because she was truth
full and did not try to- hide behind a
cloak. Once when mighty crusade> was
or against cigarette smoking and the
spectacle of women smoking the weed
was considered "orful." ! asked Della for
publication what her ideas were about the
habit.
II love to see women smoking cigar
ette." she laughed, 'and l enjoy them
myself. / wouldn't go SO far as to smoke
cigars. the way some of the Russian
women do. or II did, would not offend