Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1880 — A Story of Fanny Ellsler. [ARTICLE]

A Story of Fanny Ellsler.

While on the subject of actresses and their habits let me tell you sin anecdote of the celebrated Fanny Ellsler which I have never before seen in type. Her dressingroom was spacious, well ventilated and well furnished, save that the furniture was uniformly powdered with chalk dust Chalk was everywhere—on chain, floors and toilet table. The dancer can n».t do without chalk—it is almost as indispensible aa legs. The soles of her shoes have to be coated with chalk to lend the surface the roughness that gives a grip. Well, one night as the author ot the Diable Boiteux entered Fanny’s loge, he found her storming and panting in a passionate fary most magnificent to behold. “My dear Burnt,” she cried (Burat was her manager,) “1 am in a fearful rage. Just fancy! my passeul is at hand and the corps de ballet have stolen my chalk.” “What, stolen it! Can it be possible?” “Possible ? It is. I have looked everywhere, and questioned every one—Nathalie, Fitz James, Nobelet, her sister—all deny knowing anything about it It’s a conspiracy, that’s clear. Burat you’ll come to the’ rescue and get me some chalk, will you not?” “My dear young lady,” urged M. Burat, “where am 1 to get it ?” ' “Nonsense. Bet out and get it somewhere,” petulautly pleaded the danseuee. “Never mind the cost. You’ve a quarter of an hour before the rising of the curtain. Go, please,' and she pushed him through the door. It was 11 p. m.; the shops, were shut The unfortunate vaudevillist was more embarrassed to discover the desired chalk than be had ever been to invent a plot. Nevertheless, he did not despair. In twelve minutes he came back, his cheeks flushed, his voice thick, a tremor in his gait, but twenty pieces of chalk in his pocket handkerchief. “Bravo! bravo!” gleefully shouted Fanny Ellsler. “How much do 1 owe you f” , “The price of ten glasses of Co-cognac,” hiccoughed Burat. “1 had to patronize ten cases ’fore I could steal all that chalk.” The ready-witted author had appropriated the provision which lay beside each billiard table for chalking cues.— London Correspondence Philadelphia Timet.