Evening star., 1928-05-06

/ leading lady, and she was advertised as
being the youngest star on the stage.
She was the Desdemona to that great
tragedian's Othello. Though only lad,
can still family recall hearing him say
in that wonderful voice of his:
mo. Iago.
I'll see before doubt; when doubt,
prove;
And on the proof, there is no more
than this
Away at once with love or jealousy"
In the end, as you know, poor Des-
demona is smotnered to death by
Othello with a pillow. The actress who
preceded Miss Allen in playing this role
retired from McCullough's company be-
cause she feared he might, in his sin
cere way of acting, actually forget some
time and smother her to death.
One night. few years later, when
Mccullough was in the midst of one of
his plays. the curtain was rung down
on him for the last time and he soon
afterward died in hospital for insane
patients, showing that Miss Aliens
predecessor was justified in leaving the
company when she did, and it was only
due to luck that Providence permitted
Miss Allen subsequently to entertain
enthusiastic audiences.
During the week of February %. 1897.
the writer was among those waiting at
the gallery entrance to witness a per-
/ formance of "A Parlor Match" with
Evans and Hoey and Anna Held as an
added number and attraction At this
time there were saloons on either side of
the theater, and while waiting for the
door to open ''Old Hoss" Hoey came out
the side alley entrance and proceeded
! TO visit each one of the places in order.
Though I do not know, 1t is possible
he had speaking acquaintance with
the bartenders. However, when he had
gone the rounds, he returned to take his
part in the show. appearing on the
stage with practically no makeup and
only substitution of tramp clothes for
his street attire He was undoubtedly
one of the best tramp characters that
ever walked the boards of a theater.
and many will remember his clever
stunt OF walking of the stage with what
appeared TO be a red-hot stove
Four years after this Maude Adams
played here in Rostand's "L'Aiglon."
taking the part OF the Duke of Reich
stadt. son of Napoleon l and the Arch
duchess of Austria. The very next
week the celebrated actress Sarah
Bernhardt. also put on here the same
play. No doubt you recall that The
6AklClt a. nS WdS USElSiNBIS StyIPQ,
was frail. delicate little fellow who
died with tuberculosis when he was
Just about entering manhood Maude
Adams physique exactly fitted the
part. whereas il was difficult to con-
ceive Of any one who had the Divine
Sarah's proportions dying Of such
wasting disease Undoubtedly she was
a great actress, but her disadvantage
in filing such role was manifest to
all. AS close my eyes and look back
| TO 1901 ! can only see her as she then
impressed meas a big puffer pigeon.
How any one with her chest develop
ment would ever attempt to act the
part OF one in the last stages of con-
sumption / could never understand.
Some might think my lack Of appre-
citation on this occasion was due TO
my poor knowledge OF French--but at
least there was nothing wrong with
my eyesl
Maude Adams had made her repu-
/ tation years before she put on
| "L'Aiglon." Her Little Minister" was
about as fine a piece Of acting as one
might wish TO see In this play Robert
Edeson. who created the part OF Gavin
Dishart was her leading man. and