THE SUNDAY OREGONIATT, PORTXAyP. AUGUST 1, 1915.
UNIQUE OREGON BEAUTY EXHIBIT
AT FAIR ENTRANCING TO VISITORS
New Attractiveness It Found la Simplicity of Art That Seema Typical Only of This Stat and Appreciated
More by Easterners Than Home People.
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BT ANNE SHANNON MONRO B.
OREGONIAX BCILDIXQ. Expoition
Grounds. San FrancUco. July 24.
Thero ar tome words which
should be doomed to die. and the first
one la that word art. because of the
association In the general mind. A
splendid lumberman I know, whose soul
responds to the grandeur of forest lanes
and nature-carpeted groves and who
knows the blue sky and the woods fra
grance as others know office files, on
being approached on the subject of art.
threw up his hands In a rend in ges
ture and turned abruptly away. He had
got his Interpretation of the word from
drr-as-dust devotees who assume a
lofty superiority, and from European
galleries where gloom, severity and
mistiness prevailed. Art meant some
thing hung on wall to rave or a
thing wholly apart from all that Is real
and beautiful and Joyous In life.
So let us for the present bury the
misused and misunderstood term and
substitute beauty. Let art mean beauty,
and with this interpretation visit the
beauty exhibits of the great Oregon
Ctate Building at the exposition.
Oregealaae As Beaaty-Lovera.
The Creator would seem to have
meant Oregon for a field from which
beauty-lovers would spring, so wonder
fully Is the state dowered. Snow peaks,
emerald hills and tumbling streams of
Western Oregon, and wide reaches of
magnificent plain, all spring and lake
dotted, sweeping off Into smooth-sloped
mountain, the whole bathed In laven
der, purple and gold, of Eastern Oregon,
provided the mighty contrast and the
Infinite variety.
When the all-inclusive view surfeits,
and we go Into Oregon beauty In de
tail, we find that the materials for the
painting of the great picture are su
perior. No more magnificent forests are
to be found on the globe; no such va
riety of trees, of shrubs, of ferns and
dowers, no such building material for
the most stupendous palaces, no such
bard woods for delicate inlaid work;
no such deep-hued lakes or wide
winged birds.
Only yesterday an old philosopher
profeesor of horticulture from Constan
tinople said to me. In an aisle of the
Oregon bulldine: The Oregon people
are superior. They are finer physically,
mentally and morally than most people
cf the United States.'
Sapertorlty la Dnerlkes.
This sounded good even to an adopted
Oregonian so I drew him out further.
A mountainous, rolling country
makes a superior people: a flat coun
try with hot winds makes unnatural'
appetites: mountainous country and
pure water make for sanity and bal
ance. Oregon men look sound In their
faces: Oregon women and girls look
healthy and wholesome: you don't see
so much powder and paint; they have
the color from nature."
I asked where he bad gained his Im
pression. He shrugged:
"Watching the people that come to
this exposition: I watch the state build
ings on the state days; I do not care
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so much for the other exhibits; it is
the people that show what a country
Is.
Other people have made similar re
marks; the Turk Is not alone.
Now. a state so nature-dowered, to
get back to the subject, on entering
herself In the mart of a world-exposition
to bid for population, could not
well afford to Ignore her greatest en
ticement. It was all well to put forth
our money-making resources, such as
our fertile lands, water power, mines
and mills, but there must also go to
the big fair an adequate exhibit of
Oregon's beauty: something to suggest
the inspiring Influence to the creator
of beauty of living In Oregon. It is quite
as Important to attract creators of pic
tures and poems as tillers of fields.
Besides, people looking for homes in
a new country mould rather expect a
certain raw crudity that would make
them timid about making the move.
When they are shown that Oregon art
ists are there in goodly numbers, and
that their products compare favorably
with those of the Eastern world, the
last obstacle is removed. So. in the
broad wisdom of the Oregon Commis
sioners. Oregon has her beauty exhibit,
her proof of Oregon culture and) at
tainment in the finer arts.
Beaaty Exhibit la Varied.
The housing of the beauty exhibit
Is on the top floor. Tou step out of
a busy utilitarian atmosphere into an
atmosphere of softly-shaded restful
ness. Warm, gray walls, ceiling and
floor would seem to enfold the place
as a mist does a woodland bower, shut
ting It oft for those, to discover who
really love It.
As the first Impression fades a little,
you perceive deep chairs revealing
themselves, and an exquisite table, on
which rests a single vase whose curv
ing lines are repeated In the high
polish, a trailing vine falling from Its
mouth. On another table are books
In soft gray covers that invite: pic
tures smile from the walls, and there
are urns Just a few In wondrous
colors that lose themselves in their
own depths, baskets of exquisite de
sign, volumes that seem to be loved,
dependent lanterns as trus to the whole
as fireflies to bowled meadows, while
at the far end for the beauty exhibit
covers 100 feet of depth the twink
ling lights of the children's corner.
If. In the Oregon beauty of like ex
hibit for that is assuredly what It
is there had been no children's cor
ner, the whole might hsve lacked soul;
It would have been a dying exhibit;
but a true artist dreamed the dream,
and the children are In it- .
Everything la Ort Predae.
With the same Joy In discovery that
the nature-lover, reveling in Oregon's
magnificent landscape, examines the
small flower vase that does Its share,
will you examine the details of the
perfect room. Everything even the
red cedar celling flooring came from
Oregon or la the work of an Oregon
creator. The wall covering a sort of
monk's cloth was especially designed
In Oregon and woven from the wool of
Oregon sheep; it is so lovely that no
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Oz-eyonj Art Room in
5taL.te Build Jny.
wonder so many requests have come for
this material for permanent studios
the large double doors, closed with a
wooden latch, are the plainest, simplest
things Imaginable, but the lines are
Derfect and the doors are a Joy.
"Even that," said Mrs. Charley Ladd.
"Is a work of art!" She and others
have lingered long looking at those
doors and wondering, perhaps, why we
can't have such beauty and simplicity
In the most Inexpensive homes.- It
costs no more It only requires a mind
awakened to the loveliness of simple
things when correctly done.
Among the photographs which seem
like actual plcked-out nature spots
against the soft gray walls, w. B.
Dyer, of Hood River, has a group of
out-of-door studies, nudes In misty ef
fects, that are delightful. Wade Pipes,
of Portland, has a crayon of his sister
that holds people in groups almost con
tinually. George F. Holman has a group
more reallstlo than Dyer's, Sbasta
daisies, winter surf and sheep scenes.
"The Quick and the Dead." a photo
graph of a ship plowing bravely
through the soft Oregon mist, while
beating the shore lies the tangled
spars and bars of a wreck, is one of
the best liked things In the room. Mrs.
Charley Ladd's flower photographs
have been the wonder of artistic pho
tographers. Professionals over and
over again Insist on placing orders for
them. H- Berger, Sr, has a group,
the central one of which Is Portland's
waterfront: it looks more like an India
Ink drawing than a photograph. His
"Silent Witness" Is the.next most pop
ular a ship sinking while a solitary
gull keeps watch.
Book Plates Eejoal Aaythlng.
Book plates by Bertha Stewart are
fascinating and her cover designs are
examined in minutest detail by lovers
of beautiful things, and pronounced
the equal of the best work of the kind
shown in New Tork.
There is a quaint book rack, es
pecially designed for the room, full
of books by Oregon authors. People
take these books out and sit and read
from them and copy their titles. Eva
Emery Dye Is there and Ella Hlg
glnson.' F. H. Batch, 8am Simpson and
Homer Davenport. There are writers
on technical subjects, such as Arthur
Lacbman on chemistry. William P.
Boynton on the Kinetic theory. Al
lan Eaton on the Oregon system.
Strong A Schafer on government,
Thomas Condon on geology. Father
OHara. Sldonia Johnson. George E.
Cole and Washington Irving on Ore
gon history; Sweetxer & Kent. Thomas
Howell. Clifton J. Hodge and W. L.
Flnley on flowers, birds and other
nature studies: W. D. Lyman, on the
Columbia River; George Putnam, on
Oregon studies; an early book of the
Northwest, by Abigail Scott Dunlway,
and miscellaneous works by Heseklah
Butterworth. Louis A. Banks. Frank
G. Franklin. Myron Eel Is. William C.
Sprague. Dallas Lore Sharp. William
Rogers Lord and Anne Shannon Mon
roe. Rather an encouraging showing for
a state of Oregon's population, a
state whose people have been pretty
busy hewing themselves homes out of
the wilderness. There are many
other Oregon authors, but those men
tioned are the ones who responded to
the request to send their work,
stoneware la Beautiful.
The name Pacific Stoneware Com
pany sounis rather coldbloodedly
commercial, but the highly glased and
richly colored Jars and lugs and vases
put out by them and now worked
Into the Oregon beauty exhibit are
anything but cold-blooded affairs.
One woman comes to the artroom twice
a week, she told me. Just to hug a
deeply rich brown brown jug that she
wants so badly. Baskets made from
Willamette Valley willow, especially
designed by Mrs. Allen Eaton as are
the rugs. Jugs, sconces, and so many
other beautiful articles and hazel
nut baskets bring continual requests
for duplicatea The green marsh grass
baskets are equally popular and
equally lovely, of softer daintiness.
Miss Colleen's statue of the "Little
Mother" is the only Oregon modeling
shown. . Many requests for copies
have been made. .Rose petal beads
made by a pen-and-brush artist of
Oregon have a tremendous hold on the
public their superiority being in their
delicate colors.
Getting to the raintlngs. a group by
Colonel C E. S. Wood, whloh includes
an Eastern Oregon ranch and the Mad-tson-street
bridge of Portland, Is a
center of interest, especially with other
arttets. They seem to admire his dar
ing In the more Impressionistic work,
as well as his effects. One study of
Corta Madera cottage has been popular,
several woman who know and love the
original of the study aavlng paused
to exclaim over it and have returned
later with friends. Another group that
Is always studied with keen interest
Includes the work of Mac Lough. Clyde
Leon Keller, Carey Dolph. Floyd W 11-
son. -C. J. Fulton. JIIbs crooner, oi
the Portland Museum; Melville T. "W ire,
! whose scene from a Lakevlew ranch
nas provea paniuumi i
Myers, Edna Breyman, II. F. Wentx and
C. G. Walter.
' Water Colors Admired.
A group of water colors by P. Mur
d!n. sketches from a note book, and the
ta nirfim Hoik) and Bluebird studies
are the most Joyous things in the
world; they adorn tne cnuoren e u
ne .nl the children love them. Fancl
ful. dainty drawings, they are at the
same time thoroughly liiusirauve-
The runners lor the floor are of
the same soft gray as the walls, but
relieved with touches of blue, orange
- a. . v. - -h.tr, YiMvm nmhlons of
mo rt-u, wio v......
the exposition orange shade and tne
window curtains are oi a pinny uii.s
through which the light comes In a
warm glow. Tne long myrtle wood
table with the eight chairs perhaps is
the most obviously attractive exhibit;
people simply rave over the set. One
woman said she heard about It In
Brooklyn, N. Y- and when she reached
the exposition she made a bee line for
the Oregon artroom to see It. Wood
workers consider the design for the
chairs especially happy for so hard a
wood. It has a daintiness and light
ness that would seem Impossible to st-.i-
i- (. ...t.riai The North Bend
Manufacturing Company is exhibiting
this set. Tne wiener i"" " "
hibited by John Bocker. of Hillsboro.
who grows the willow on his own
place. Is proving popular. Requests for
duplicates have come from a Captain
In the United States Army for the
Post, from kindergartners and house
wives for Summer and porch furni
ture. '
Weed Attracts Professionals,
Handsome musical Instruments show
Oregon woods as adapted to ornamenta
tion, the myrtle and mahogany being
used for the Inlaid work. There Is a clock
made of Oregon woods that Is wonder
fully Intricate. Professional wood
carvers come back many times to ex
amine the woods, always enthusiastic
over the possibilities. Oregon pines
and Lawson cypress, planted tn at
tractive tubs, bring In the touch of
greenery, while cut flowers fill tne
vases. . .
Two portfolios of sheet music bring
Oregon musicians into the scheme, one
being instrumental and the other vo-
cal.
The detail of the children's corner Is
charming. First there is a wonderful
doll s house of two stories and an at
tic, with the front wall out. so the in
; ii.. mil I believe
lenor is eaonj " 1
this would be a fine method for grown.
up houseo. l ne noum ...i-.-"-
and beautifully furnished, even to elec
tric lights and the baby crawling up
the stairs. Before this Ideal of every
child's heart Js a small wicker table
and a set of small chairs, where chil
dren drop down In complete and final
satisfaction, and woe to parents who
have not previously done their eight
seeing for that day. because they will
never get away without a battle.
On a wide shelf above Is the wonder
ful Noah's ark, with all the animals go
ing In two by two. Children of all
ages from 8 months to 80 years are
enraptured over Noah's ark. The fig
ures are so expressive, so well shaped
and colored, and stand so firmly that
they have made a tremendous hit.
People tell us that In Germany there
Is nothing so good.
Adnlts Hauat Children's Corner.
Kindergarten teachers, manual train
ing teachers, mothers of nursery tots
and business men who see a new in
dustry for Oregon woods In children's
toys haunt the children's corner almost
as persistently as do the children. The
wall above is further ornamented with
W L. Flnley s dellgntiui Dear siuuio
that would send any small boy to sleep
creepuy uvv7 m - --------
designs suitable to a nursery, and the
Bruns leaded glass winaow rauu
Plod PiDer and other such Joyous child
hood friends.
The signs are all carved in wooa, ana
.w- - . k. . . 1 1 n from
over iuo uwi ...
Joaquin Miller, the poet over whose
possession uailiorma ana urs
many a dispute:
In men whom men condemn as 111
I find so much of goodness; still
In men whom men pronounce divine
I find so much of sin snd blot
I besttste to drew the line
Where Ood hss not. ,
There Is not a tag on an article in
tne room; iramiiiB m j
charming Impression of being purely a
beautiful exniDii wiinoui muusui
commercial i"mui j --
tie book kept by Miss Hatch, custodian.
are noted requests ior umiuwicn i
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nous mine ..... .. j --- - .......
One artist who has a studio -on Fifth
avenue In New Tork. has left a whole
sale request for a duplicate of every
thing in tne room. uio m mo "
to the question. has Oregon any art
worth while, or artists who could com
itate with those of the rest of the
world? . .
Allan Eaton, of Eugene, conceivea.
.1 A mwA m rra r. t7H the TOOm. The
piauuu .... " -.a -
big thought that most of us carry away.
I believe, is tnai an our uuihcb uwu.u
be artistic and beautiful in Oregon, by
..... .... f.r.m n.irnn' natural
IKKIUB UUl .uo - a - -
beauties and making simplicity the
keynote.
HONEST AD LAW APPLIED
Ohio Merchants Back First Case in
Court Snccessfally.
CINCINNATI. July SI. Charles Scha-
engold. manager of a clothing concern.
was found guilty oy juage Alexander
In the Municipal Court of violating the
"honest advertising" law. He was fined
110 and coots. The fine was suspended.
the Judge explained, as it was the first
case under the new law.
The action was Instituted by repre
sentatives of the retail merchants
branch of the Chamber of Commerce,
the Retail Merchants' Association of
Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Adver
tising Club.
NINA CHURCHMAN LAROWE'S CLIMB
TO STAGE FAME OPPOSED BY FATE
Success as Leading Woman as Joan of Arc in "Lily of France" Interrupted by Protest From Horrified Mother,
Who Thinks Theater Life Improper.
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BT NINA CHURCHMAN LAROWE.
IN a previous letter I wrote of Henry
Meiggs. I spoke of the excitement
of his failure in San Francisco; of
how. In a moment, all the possible
evils of human nature were laid at his
door, in spite of the good opinion in
which he formerly was held. I also
said that I knew that he had sent some
money back to San Francisco to rignt
matters there; that he had done so
through my father spd the consular
offices.
Only the other day I picked up the
Revlow of Reviews foi July and there
was a portrait of Henry Meiggs and-a
little acccount of his life, closing with
this: "Before his death Meiggs had
paid off the indebtedness contracted In
San Francisco 20 years before." Mr.
Meiggs died In 187". I was glad to
see this vindication of his honesty, bo
I stop by the way side In the course oi
my life story to bear witness to a
man's good deed.
Great Lecturers Add Quota.
"So shines a good deed in a naughty
world."
While I was trying hard to get my
foot on the first step that leads up into
that fame niche I was having infinite
opportunity to drink deep at the
Pierian spring. Good theaters, splen
did companies were all around me. Not
only the theaters supplied mental food,
the great lecturers. Henry Ward
Beecher, Theodore Tilton. Lloyd Garri
son. Wendell Phillips and Anna Dick
inson, then In her prime, added their
quota.
How we first plan and plan and think
we have the scheme all right. Then
circumstances come along and knock
It Into a thousand pieces. It is ad
vised that we overcome circumstances.
We may do so to some extent, but cir
cumstances in many cases are great,
big tyrants looming above us. We sor
rowfuly realize our inability to cope
with them. We have been some time
planning to reach a certain goal.
In the meantime another foe Is in
our path. We do not realize the slip
ping by of the months and years, but
the second foe Time does. He sud
denly stands before us offering his
commodities, gray hair, a choice as
sortment of wrinkles, a few rheumatic
twinges, a blur for our bright eyes.
some extra pounds of flesh where they
do not adorn and a sharpness of bones
and tightness of Bkin when not de
sired. He stands directly In our path.
We try to slip by. but it is useless. At
last we take his goods and then strive
to cover them up as best we can; nnai
ly we give up, our short day is ended
Anna Dickinson Failure.
Anna Dickinson planned well, made
money rapidly and when time naa
robbed her of her youth some stray
circumstances conquered her by tempt
ing her to turn from a still profitable
lecture platform to an uncertain stage
career. She did not Know ana mum
not see that success in lecturing did
not mean ' success on the stage and
that she had passed the first bloom.
She entered Into an unknown domain
and spent her fortune trying to prove
to the world that she was a gifted
actress. So we all plot and plan and
iruirm and weave, and then there s
divinity (or circumstance) that shapes
our ends, rough hew tnem now we
will."
I went on another tour of Hudson
River towns. We played in a melo
drama made from the life of Buffalo
Bill (William Cody). He was then quite
a hero in New York and was much ad
mired as he sauntered around In cow
boy costume. He as yet had not per
formed in Wild West shows. Dut ca
vorted around after Indians and occa
sionally came to the cities. The play
was quite a good melodrama, but It
was thought by the manager that the
name Buffalo Bill would draw. ui
course I was trying to get all the ex
perience possible and, as I was to be
the leading lady. I thought it would
add to my store without harming me.
The advertising posters all had a
picture of a buffalo. In some of the
smaller towns they would ask where
was thn buffalo and seemed to be dls
contented without his presence, so the
manager dropped the buffalo printing.
greatly to our delight. We had a nice
company, all working towards the same
end. namely, worKing to am me nov
ices and hoist into place the profes
sionals. Mrs. Pomeroy In Company.
Mrs. Brick Pomeroy. traveling under
the name of Miss Goodrich, was one
of the company. She was young and
handsome, was the second wife of Mr.
Pomeroy. She was an amateur, af
flicted with the general craze of that
time. She made considerable success
afterwards. We used to hear a great
deal in those days of "Brick" Pomeroy.
Why "Brick?" I do not know, unless
It was slang. There was little slang
used then; Just a few phrases, and one
of those phrases was "You're a brick."
Probably that was the origin of the
nickname of Mark Mills Pomeroy. He
was then an editor and politician of re
nown. -
I do not think that anybody now
realizes how general was the fascina
tion of the footlights, greater than ever
before or since. There was a reason
for it. The society drama had ar
rived. Society drama was supposed
to be easy. Why, Just go on the stage
and be- natural (the hardest of all
work). They had been In awe of the
great literary plays that took evces
sive mental ability, that needed much
study and thought. The characters
were great and lived In great and stir
ring times. They did not exist mere
ly In drawing-room and boudoir. Their
garments even were heroic
The theater was more popular then.
It was the only place of amusement
Nobody that was anybody was ex
pected to go to the circus. If they did
they nearly always apologized by say
ing they went to see the animals, or
take the children. There really was
vaudeville about as It is now. but it
was called the variety theater and was
taboo to women.
Edwin Booth had made a great deal
of money and he concluded to build
himself a theater wnicn enouia oe a
fe AIr Iff rpM
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great temple of art. It was duly built
on the corner of Sixth avenue and
Twenty-third street and was devoted
largely to Shakespearean drama.
Job Seeking; Is Fearsome.'
I began life at the big end of the
horn and had stayed there pretty well
up to this time, but now I found my
self sliding down towards ithe middle.
In other words, I had myself to sup
port. All my relatives were in Cali
fornia and I did not want to go back
and be dependent upon them. I now
had to learn self-reliance. It is a hard
and bitter lesson to con. I did not let
them know what I was doing. I wanted
to get a foothold on the lower rungs
and go back and surprise them. So as
I had attained some dramatic knowl
edge I thought I would rehearse plays,
so advertised to that effect.
Never having had to face the world
alone I had an overpowering timidity.
I look back now In wonder that I had
It so In excess. If I wanted to see a
man on business I would go as far as
the office door and then retreat, then
would try it again and perhaps would
go two or three times before I would
walk in. Oh, women, when you have
to step out of your homes and ask for
employment you nave a outer lass
before you and it will require tre
mendous effort on your pa,rt to suc
ceed. It is. always hardest on those
who have had prosperity and have had
to steo down, who are not prepared in
any special line of work. But you will
suceced If you persevere. Do not de
pend on one thing. Do for a time
whatever comes to hand and while you
are doing it, no matter whether you
like it or not, do it the best you know,
till something better offers.
Engagement Is Secured.
In answer to my advertisement a
woman and man called on me and
wanted to engage me to rehearse
play for them. On inquiry I found they
belonged to the best amateur club in
New York City. This fact took my
breath away. I wanted to refuse to
go. I needed the work, but oh, how
could I perform the services required.
But they would not take no for an
answer, .although I made some excuses.
The evening was appointed, they gave
me a copy of the play, it was the
"Honevmoon." Fortunately I had
studied the part of Juliana with Fanny
Morant, of Daly's Theater, but what
could I do with the other characters?
I had some confidence in my ability In
nrivate. but. Oh. dear, how could I
face all those members of that club?
The day came and that evening I was
to go through my ordeal. I could not
eat anything all oay. i got into a
Fifth-avenue stage. They never called
them omnibuses. They were always
stages and they were Just a little bet
ter than the streetcars and cost twice
the fare, and, indeed, should not things
be more -costly and better on Fifth
avenue than anywhere else? Well, as
the stage went up the avenue I came
near getting out and running home.
At last I arrived at the house, a
grand brownstone mansion. I balked
at the door before ringing the bell and
then at last gave It a pull so I could
not retreat We all sat around a little
while, then I took the book and the
rehearsal began. I found that they
knew nothing about stage work, al
though at one time they had thought
they did. And as I discovered their
lack of theatrical knowledge my opin
ion of myself began to grow at every
step. I arranged all the business and
before the evening was over was en
gaged for stage director for the sea
son. We rehearsed many times and
then gave a satisfactory performance,
for amateurs, of the "Honeymoon" at
the Murray Hill Theater. Many of
them came to me for private lessons on
Lthe parts in the piece.
Chance Comes Gradually.
In New York I had. while never
dreaming of having to support myself,
taken lessons in elocution of a fine
teacher. I also went on to Boston one
Summer and took a course of lelssons
gymnastics at Dio Lewis school.
We had not yet come to call It physical
culture, it was Just plain gymnastics
by name, but it did all, and more than
any physical culture school of today.
In fact, they all drew from Dio Lewis'
system but many times failed to ac
knowledge It The course was for
teachers and when we had finished Mr.
Lewis gave diplomas. When he offered
me one I replied pertly: "I do not want
one, I never expect to xeacn. un, tne
silly arrogance of it I have always
been ashamed that I Eald such a thing
and when I have had to teach It ever
rose before me In reproach. My youth
was a slender excuse. Well, I had
some knowledge of elocution, gymnas
tics and stage business, but would 1
have the courage to teach them- Then
there was the stage work, I seemed
gradually to be getting some chance.
By a fortunate circumstance I be
came acquainted with John Brougham,
of Wallack's Theater, a fine comedian
and author of plays besides. He had
written a drama called the "Lily of
France," founded on Joan of Arc It
was to have a week's engagement at
Booth's Twenty third-street ' theater.
There was a stray open date for a
week. The week before Adelaide
Neilson's first New York engagement.
I was to be the leading woman and
Frank Bangs, the greatest Mark An
tony of them all, was ,o play Durand,
the leading man's part.
Joy and Terror Alternate.
I lived for two or three veeks be
tween alternate Joy and terror. I
could neither eat nor sleep, cold chills
would run over me as I thought of
playing for a week in the finest play
house in all New York. At rehearsals
I had lots of courage but whenever the
thought of the night came over me I
cowered In abject fright. If I had
trembled before at a rehearsal of an
amateur play what would facing a
New York audience in the finest the
ater In the city be?
There was a combat to be fought In
the piece by Jane (Joan of Arc. Could
I fence? Could I? Well I could for
certain. Then I was glad I had taken
lessons in this particular art A day
or two before the presentation of the
play Mr. Brougham atked me to come to
his house and go tnrougn my part De
fore him. There I was not afraid. I
put my whole soul into the role and
before I finished great tears rolled
down Mr. Brougham's cheeks during
the pathetic scenes. He sprang from
his seat at the finish, grasped me by
the hand and said:
"If the play does not take it will
certainly not be your fault."
This play was considered by himself
to be his best effort and it was dear
to him. But it was staged at an un
fortunate time, namely the exit of the
tragedy and the entrance of the society
play; the conquering of the beautifully
intellectual by mediocrity, the arrival
of the time when the business man's
brain was too tired to comprehend
anything but the light and frothy
things. At least he allowed himself to
think so. It is sad to relate, but it is
a fact that brilliant and witty plays,
plays of strong emotions, of elegant
language, face empty benches when
the other kind draw crowded houses.
Tired Brains t Heard Of.
In the old days we were brought up
on that kind of fare and if the young
of today were so trained we would not
hear of tired brains, no matter how
great the stress of life, and our lan
guage would have remained beautiful.
It would not have been so fearfully
corrupted by slang usually gathered
from the stage productions of today.
The great night drew near. It ar
rived. I trembled all day. I did not
sleep the nifrht before.- I did not eat
that day. When I started for the
theater I felt as must a person start
ing forth from prison to execution.
The callboy announced the half hour,
the quarter hour and the final hour,
then gave me my call. The stage
manager was D. W. Waller', who played
in the first piece I ever saw, which was
in California, and had cast himself for
the priest in the play.
My first entrance was with a howl
ing mob which I had to quiet with a
stirring speech, but first the priest
protected me from their onslaught
When I got to the center of the stage
for a moment I could not remember a
single line or word, but the confusion
and noise of the peasants gave me a
breathing spell and the words all came
and then 1 went straight through
without loss of a line. My nervous
ness increased because Adelaide Neil
son, who was to follow me. was in a
box. She had Just arrived from Eng
land. Self-Control Recovered.
Wei!. I went through to the end and
In the mad scene and about the middle
of the play I had recovered myself
completely and played the week
througn with more 'courage and with
some measure of satisfaction to my
self. The combat between myself and
Talbot (J. W. Wallack) was a great
success and ended the third act quite
gloriously with a tableau, as was
usual then, myself standing with
sword aloft and one foot on the pros
trate foe.
The cast of the "Lily of France":
. CHARACTERS
At the First Representation. Booth's The
ater, December 16.
John Earl Talbot Mr. James w. Wallack
Pierre Burand Mr. Francis Bang.
Father Arminius Mr. D. W. "Waller.
Charles. Dauphin of France. - Mr. N. Decker,
jt-an, Comte de Dunois ...Mr. M. B. Pike.
The Duke or Jtseaiorci ...... r. ij. it. narns.
Rnhrt rte Baudrlcourt. . . Mr. W. H. Jones.
The Prince-Bishop of Beauvais
Mr. A. W. Fesno.
Roman de la Rose, Court Jester.
Mr. George Becks.
RalDh Royster. an English bowman
. Mr. S. Smith.
Jacques Coeur Mr. J. R. Davis.
Jacob Dare, father of Jane. .Mr. S. W. Glen.
La Tremoullle Mr. C. Rosene.
Gladstone. Poynine-a and fic -es (English
Soldiers) Mr. F. Percy. Mr. Henry
Hogan. and Mr. T. F. Brennan.
St. Michael Miss Burswss.
Jane of, Domremi (the Lily of France).
; Miss Helen Temple.
Zabel Dare (her mother) . .Miss Mary Wells.
Agnes Sorel (the favorite)
Miss Kate Heathcote.
' (Concluded on Page II.)