Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1895 — “Beware of the Vidders," Major. [ARTICLE]

“Beware of the Vidders," Major.

..’ * . And Doubly .So of the Grass Vidders. Mesdamrs Rose D. Howe and Sylvia M. Wallace, two actresses of great ability, and wide reputation, and also, as it happens, both wearers of the gay weeds of divorce cdurt widow-hood, sought to give a production of Romeo and Juliet, in Rochester, Fulton county, lately, by the help of local talent. The production failed from slim attendance, partly, but more, evidently, from the hoggishness of the opera house owners. At least that was the way the ladies looked at it, and a remark in the Rochester Republican to the effect that the production was abandoned, because of small attendance, called foith from them a very spirited and very readable letter, to Bro. Bitters. And one which, it must be admitted, contains some observations on the tastes of modern theater going people, which are applicable to almost any communty. Thejetter is well worth republishing entire, and here it Is:

Major Bitters: The statement made in your paper of Saturday last, viz: “The audience was too limited to justify the expenditure of an amount of energy necessary to the production of the play,” is a gross misrepresentation of facts, and an insulting reflection upon the entire cast. The play was riot given because the box office receipts were “too limited to justify the expenditure of an amount of ‘money’ (not energy) necessary to the production of the play.” Every member of the cast were willing and anxious to give the play without a cent for pay, and we offered to pay the JDavidsons for lighting if they would let the play go on, but no, they stuck for the entire sum, notwithstanding the fact that they had received fifteen dollars cash for the previous performance. Had we but two auditors in the hall we would have given the play, if the Davidsons had acted like white people and donated the use of the house. Their actions are about on par with yours, who, instead of saying that you were dissatisfied with your seats and pointing out my mistake in a frank and kindly manner, such as we had a right to expect from anv sensible man, have sat in your office and chewed the cud of discontent and a petty spite. The result is that you and a few others, who indulged in the enobling Ipassion of anime sity, have been entirely. successful in bringing about the financial failure of this play (artistically and dramatically it was a great success,) and for your trouble we must ask you and others to whom we are indebted on accountcf this production ,_to4jin_ your‘ bills to your faith and lake them over into another world. As it is customary to look forward to that world for the realization of hopes that fail of fruition here, we shall anticipate knowing there more generous hearted business men, a more responsive public and the possession of a financial capacity that will enable us to solve the problem of how to pay out on debts four dollars to each one dollar taken in.

Now, go to see “Uncle Hiram,” do all you can to get them a crowded house. “Saw-mill scenes” and “trains of cars” have such an elevating and improving effect upon the minds, morals and manners of the public. The language in such a production is so elegant and correct and will so broaden the intellect and the vocabulary of the young people in your town, who are addicted to such polished and unchallengeable expressions as: “I would have went,” “I seen it,” “I'have saw,” “Where is it at,” “It growed,” “I done it,” “Get to'go,” etc., that you are in duty bound to strain every nerve to obtain a successful presentation of horse comedy. But if a play of the world’s greatest and most moral author is—after weeks of struggle against adverse circumstances —presented to the favorable consideration of the public, by a company of your most earnest young men and women, put your foot upon it, grind it out, crush it immediately, it is a dangerous thing! In closing, allow us to assure you that you will have no future occasion for taking offense, as Miss Wallace has made her last public appearance in Rochester. With respect where respect is due, and regret for the shabby and contemptible manner in which the press and public have treated the ladies and gentlemen who so kindly united with us in this production; also with thanks for favors shown us upon former occasions, we remain Yours, etc., Rose D. Howe, Sylvia M. Wallace. January, 21,1895.

It would be less than common fairness not to give also Bro. Bitters’ ooffiments on this letter, which are also very readable, and are here appended: In this issue of the Republican will

pair Of handsome g: a-s widows who embrace this- opportunity to vent their spleen oa the editor, certain other individuals and the gehfral public for the very limited attendance at the play of Romeo and .Inlief It is very natural tHat they should feel terribly qjiagrmed because the amuse-ment-loving demzens of Rochester failed to appreciate their effort to please and their ability to present the play in an acceptable manner. We are truly sorry that the entertainment was a financial failure for the reason that we hoped to be paid for job printing and for advertising the play, in a commodity that is of much more value to a publisher than personal abuse, as we have an abundance of Ihe latter in stock. And we were also hopeful that the ladies would have a surplus of cash as a remuneration for their services, as their capabilities merit something more substantial than applause and charitable considerations. In this connection it is no flattery, to say that the ladies are handsome, vivacious and accomplished, but it is very probable that their dresent status is the result of a constitutional petulancy that can not be readily suppressed during irritable occasions. We rather enjoy the ungrateful thrusts at the editor of the Republican, as a compensation tor our services, but we are heartily sorry for the other fellows who refused to accede to their whims. The proper thing to do is to keep silent when attacked by wordy, whimsical persons, but the ladies request the publication of their communication sent us through the post office, and we are too gracious to refuse.