Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1894 — A DEJECTED ACTOR. [ARTICLE]

A DEJECTED ACTOR.

In the Villain’s Part He Was Required to Act Behind _ , the Footlights. c ___ New York Sun. An actor, who is noted for his gbod nature and lack of melancholy, surprised his friends recently in appearing at one of his haunts with downcast air and dejected manners. “Hello; Joe,” said one, “what in the world ails you? I never saw you look so wretched.” The actor dropped into a chair and - -sighed. ; • ' ... / , “No.” he said, looking sadly at his shoes. “I don’t remember ever having felt so badly.” “Why don’t you see a physician?’ “My dear boy,” said the actor, “my trouble is one beyond medical aid. Don’t look scared. I’m not going to die. My ailment is cot physical. lam suffering from melancholy, superinduced by the unpleasant part that has been assigned me by our manager. lam cast for the villain’s part, you see, and it is villain of the mean and unsympathizing sort. The better I act it the more I will be condemned by the audience. No woman’s smile will greet my appearance, no tear will mark my exit. My unhappy ending will provoke a smile; inv preliminary triumphs will arouse anger and indignation. I am beginning to feel the contempt and coldness with which I will be greeted. I shall be miserable all this season. I love to bask in the smiles of my audience, and their applause is music to my ears. Mv soul is attuned to sympathy, and suffers when it has it not. Besides, I know I shall soon begin to feel the character I have to assume. You must not be surprised if you see me doing strange things. A man can’t be mean and contemptible every night and several matinees Without sometimes losing his real nature when off duty, too. “Some people imagine that the actor likes to play mean parts as well as pleasant ones. That is a mistake. I assure you. If it were not that I can not afford to resign at this time, I’d throw up my contract immediately.”