Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 27, Number 43, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 April 1897 — Page 6

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Most Remarkable Theatrical Figure of the Century.

BEOOLLECJTIONS OF BOUOICJAULT.

The Young Dramatist—Long Career aa Playwright and Player—Hi* School For Acting—Incidents In Hit Wonderful Career.

[Special Correspondence.]

New York, April 19.—If I were asked to name the man who, in my opinion, was the most remarkable theatrical figure of the nineteenth century, I should unhesitatingly select Dion Boucicault, not because he was the greatest actor or the "greatest playwright or the greatest stage manager, because he probably had his superior in each of these branches of the dramatic art, but because he possessed a combination of all in a greater degree than any man with whom I have ever been brought into oontact or of whom we have any record during recent years.

Boucicault's Private Life.

I was associated for a considerable time and at different periods with Dion Boucicault as stage manager. I was with Laura Koenewhen he was a member of the company and was afterward with him at Niblo's when he was in the heyday of his glory and was making bis own productions. He was one of the most peculiar men the stage has ever known. In private life he was as gener-

DION BOUCICAULT.

ons as the sun, and he was a magnifl* cent host. For along time he maintained establishments at New York, London, Brighton and Brussels, and at whichever of these places he happened to be there was certain to be a house full of guests. It may not be generally known, but it is nevertheless a fact that Boucicault enjoyed tho warm friendship of men prominent in almost every walk of lifo, both in this country and England.

It is strange that so little is known of Dion's early lifo. If he had been an ignorant fellow with a special aptitude for tho stage, this would not havo been surprising any moro than it would have been had ho suddenly sprung into fame. But, as a matter of fact, he was a finely educated and well read man, and he roso to reputation and wealth in the most systematic, and I might almost say commonplace, manner. Ho was only 19 years of ago when he wrote "London Assurance," the work on which is {pid to havo occupied but two weeks of his time. This piece was produced at the Covent Garden theater in 1841, and Boucicault was sneeringly hailed as tho founder of the "upholstery school of comedy." Notwithstanding this, the play was a very great success, and from that time the young dramatist's rise to fame and fortune was easy and rapid. At this time Boucicault was known as Lee Morton, and he always refused to tell whether that name or the one by which ho is best known was the right one. Ho was educated at Triuity col lege, Dublin, and that, city is said to havo been his birthplace.

It used to be said generally that John Brougham wrote tho part of Dazzle in Loudon Assurance." But Boucicault always denied the allegation, and his subsequent career amply demonstrated that, whether-ftr not he had permitted tho actor to iuterject a role into his first piece, he, Boucicault, was well able to have written

much better one.

Some of the more notable of Dion' plays which followed "London Assur nnee" were "Old Heads and Young Hearts," "The Willow Copse," "The Young Actress," "The Coraican Broth ers." "Bob Nettles," "Andy Blake,' "The Shaughraun," "Asmodeus,' ''Pauvrette," Used Up," The Irish Heiress," "The Phantom," "Ixve In Maie," "The Colleen Bawn," "The Long Strike." "Jessie Browne," "Ar rah-na-Pogue,'' Jeannie Deans,' version of "Hip Van Wiukle" for Joseph Jefferson, "The Long Strike," and probably nearly 100 other plays .of minor importance.

Knormonn Royalties.

During Boucicault's long career as a frequently charged

And yet when he died he left practical ly nothing. One of the most marked of the many peculiarities of Boucicault was bis famous "black book," which was a terror to every one who either had had or hoped to have business relations with him. In this volume, which was of black morocco, with golden clasps and two small keys of the same precious metal, be was in the habit of jotting down everything that he happened to have against a manager, an actor, a cos turner or even a theater. And if a name once was written in that dreaded tome that was an end to the hopes of the owner of ever doing business with the eccentric Dion, even after the lapse of many years. This plan might have had its commendable features if it had not been for the fact that the playwright was largely a creature of prejudice, and therefore often blacklisted a person without the investigation which the importance of the matter demanded. And it was a serious matter, for in those days Dion was a power in the theatrical world, and the player who was debarred from his

employ

frequent

ly had a hard scuffle to get along, owing to the presumption of fault which this proscription carried with it.

Advent of Misfortune.

It is one of the most pathetic things to see a man who has had his own little world practically at his feet sink until even the mediocre figures of the same circle rise above him, and yet this was my experience with Dion Boucicault. Hard times had come upon him when he was at Booth's theater, and he was unable to meet his obligations—this man who but a few years before had been throwing money away like an eastern potentate. I shall never forget the dinner which he gave at about this time to the members of his company at the then famous Pinard's. It was a grand affair, in thorough keeping with the reputation of the host as a lavish entertainer. After the departure of his guests Dion, who had been the life of the feast, remarked that as he was obliged to compromise with his people he had thought that good digestion should wait on appetite and thus pave a way to making the best of the very bad pecuniary situation which confronted him. The company accepted the settlement offered, and to Boucicault's credit be it said that practically every dollar he possessed went to his actors, and he didn't go about town telling about it either, as though he thought that he had done a wonderfully creditable thing.

Later on this genius lent his ability to the building up of a school of acting, and this aroused a storm of resentment from his former friends, who, whether justly or otherwise, ragard these institutions as their greatest enemies.

It is likely, too, that Boucicault had about as many enemies as any man who ever became prominent and was also successful on the stage of this country, where personal popularity counts for so much in the career of a public entertainer.

The "Black Book."

One of the actors whom Dion did not like was my brother Felix, whose ability, however, in character work he re spec ted highly. But somehow or other the two men never seemed to be able to cotton." In one particular play there was a horsewhipping scene in which the character portrayed by Felix was the victim. Laura Keene, as the heroine, was the instrument of punishment, Dion confided to her his plan, which was nothing less than to lay it on good and hard and to make Felix howl, if possible. To better carry this plan out Boucicault had provided a robust whip instead of the very puny one ordinarily used on these occasions. Felix had got wind of the plot, and on the eventful evening he was attired in three suits of clothes, tho bottom one being of heavy oorduroy. Miss Keene played her part admirably. She laid the lash on with vim, but. Felix did not appear to notice it After the performance Dion asked me what kind of man my brother was to be able to take that whipping without wincing. I repeated this to Felix, and ho replied, "Give my compliments to 'old baldhead,' and tell him that my hide had been especially tanned in advance for the occasion." I delivered that, message and down went Felix's name on the "black book."

playwright ho was with plagiarism, and there is consider able ground for the belief that the alie- Siddons, was so imbued with tragedy gntions were not always without foun- that she could not refrain fwan stabbing dation. He somehow lacked originality, potatoes with and many of his most successful works wore dramatisations of popular books which be managed to disguise so effectually that they were not usually reoognmxl except by those who had an intimate acquaintance with the stage. His

Speaking of this "black book," I believe that if it could be found it would make about as interesting stage reading as could well be imagined, for in it Boucicault also used to record his im pressious of everybody and everything which came under his notice. As he was unusually frank in everyday life it is but fair to assume that in this book there was no mental reservation what ever. Lionel Brough, the elder, was once told by Beale, the great music publisher of London, that he would gladly give $5,000 for it at any time, and he would probably make a great deal of money on it even at that figure. But the book has mysteriously disappeared, probably much to the relief of many persons who still "lag superfluous." Boucicault said to me one day at the Laugh am hotel, London, after having given me a glimpse of the somber volnme, "Do you know, Vincent, what I consider one of the most interesting things in here?" I made an expectant gesture, and he replied, much to my disappointment, must confess, "It is a remark once made by Sydney Smith to the effect that the 'tragedy queen,' Mrs.

rot* were enormous, and it was wright, manager and actor uncertainly well that thev were so. for he spent entitled to the gratitude of the passing money like water, and if his income generation, aod to some extent also of had been only moderately large be the one which is now at the helm would have bcin constantly in pecunia ry hot water. At one time in his career it is said that his total revenue from royalties, share of receipts, acting, etc., did not fall far short of $U50,000 a year.

a fork at the dinner ta

ble." Dion Boucicault had his faults, thousands of them perhaps, as, indeed, who has not? But if the supreme test of a well spent life be that the world Is better for that existence, this famous play-

DRESSY PUBLIC MEN

affairs, for, despite his lack of ability to ^ate, Dion's plays will be in vo^ue for many years after those of his virulent and feeble critics shall have been forgotten. L. JCMKN VDSCEST.

TEBBE HATJTE SATITBPAY EVEXIiNG MAIL, APRIL 24, 1897.

BAILEY OF TEXAS HAS MADE THEM A MARK FOR COMMENT.

Eccentricity In Drew at Washington Wot So Great as It Once Was—Few "Dudes" Among the Lawmakers—The Most Striking Dressers Are From the West.

[Special Correspondence.]

WASHINGTON, April 19.—The Quixotic attack made by young Bailey of Texas on one of the institutions of civilized society has made much amusement for the people of Washington. It does not make a bit of difference to them whether the Texas congressman wears a dress suit or not Even if there were danger that his example would prove contagious, no one would care a rap. The dress coat does not make society. Society made the dress coat, and would quickly discard it for good and sufficient reason.

Jeffenonian Simplicity.

These things change from time to time. The silk hat, which Mr. Bailey derides, is only a century old, and in that century it has taken a hundred shapes. A century ago Jefferson, the father of Democracy, wore silk stockings, knee breeches and silver buckled shoes to clothe his nether limbs. Jefferson was a stickler for simplicity. In these days I am afraid he would be called by that word of recent origin—a "crank" the subject. He cared eo little for formality that he abolished the levees •which Washington had established, much to the discomfiture of those who made up the "society" of the newly founded, straggling capital. One afternoon they determined to protest against deprivation of the courtly official reception, and a party of gay young lads and gayer lasses called at the president's house and waited for Jefferson's return. He came from his daily horseback exercise and strode into the room in dusty coat and riding boots. So scant was his courtesy that his visitors made a quick departure. And they did not return.

Jefferson's impressive plainness was partly assumed and for a purpose. He came into office confronting a condition of national discontent—a feeling which had spread all over the country that the republic was drifting toward royalism The court etiquette of Washington's two administrations, retained by Adams, had impressed the people with the idea that the government was approach ing monarchy, that perhaps the blood of the Revolution had been paid merely for an exchange of kings—the one across

HON. J. W. BAILEY.

the water for one at home. Jefferson saw this condition and met it in so emphatic a manner that since his time there has been no question of divinity hedging the president of the United States.

Many men fall into ridicule because they don't know when a dress coat should be worn. Some years ago a congressman known afl "a statesman among ball players and a ball player among statesmen" wore a dress coat to the White House in the morning and made himself the butt of Washington. When tho Ancient and Honorable Artillery of Boston was in London last year, many of the members wore dress suits to a garden party.

Dress of Western Members.

Most of the southern members conform to the rules of society when they go out to formal entertainments here. The western members are the least particular of all the public men in Washington. Yet, strange to say, the west furnishes the most strikingly dressed members of both house and senate.

Mr. Wolcott of Colorado is the senator who attracts attention by his style of dress. His clothing is finely made and he seems to have an inexhaustible supply of it. No one knows where his list of garments ends, for no man who did not have a good memory and fix his mind on the subject would know that Mr. Wolcott ever wore a coat twice. He has a valet to look after his clothing and his 50 pairs of shoes. No other member of congress has dazzled Washington with a valet except Harry Miner, late a member from New York. Miner paralyzed his friends by registering in Syracuse at the time of a convention, "H. Clay Miner and valet," and the next guest, in a spirit of fun, registered "James Jones and valise." This bit of pleasantry was taken up by an English writer in all seriousness and made the text for a dissertation on the ignorance of Americans.

The member of the house who is attracting attention by his style of dress is James H. Lewis of Washington, who received some votes for vice president in the last national Democratic convention. I saw Mr. Lewis in the lobby of the Arlington hotel a few nights ago in silk hat and dress suit, with shining patent leathers cm his feet. He was not arrayed for social conquest, but was strolling around, killing time. The following day Mr. Lewis appeared in the house with shapely trousers well creased and hands daintily gloved. His coat was of fashionable cat Since that day Mr. Lewis has entertained the house with a sw asion of well made suits of clothing, each appropriate to the hoar »rA occasion oo which it was worn. A

few years ago Mr. Lewis was hustling freight at the docks in Tacoma—working a stevedore. He was a lawyer, but he had no practice. He was without friends, and he had to earn a living in some manner. Now Mr. Lewis has friends and a large legal practice.

Of course Mr. Lewis is the subject of some pleasant banter from his colleagues because of bis dress. But I am quite sure none of them thinks any the less of him because he is fashionably attired.

Since his return, after two years of retirement from public life, Jerry Simpson has been seen wearing knee breeches and golf stockings, for he enjoys cycling.

Daniel Webster used to wear a shad belly coat with brass buttons. In recent years Senator Conger of Michigan wore a coat like this, and Senator' Chace of Rhode Island, who was a Quaker, wore a shad belly coat with sober buttons of black. There is no eccentric dress to be seen in the senate today. Some senators wear frock coats some wear cutaway coats, and some dress in the sack coat 'which is supposed to be sacred to business use. Few of them cultivate variety. They wear coats of the same style all through the winter and spring, exchanging them for silk or alpaca coats in the summer. No senator is seen without his coat even on the hottest summer day. The proprieties of the senate chamber will not permit any such laxity. The clerks are held to the same rigid rule, and some years ago when one of the clerks appeared at his desk in a linen duster he was notified that his services would not be needed any longer.

Dress Xn the Senate.

The frock coat is the most common style of dress in the senate. Almost all the older members wear it. Some of them have pudgy figures which would be lost in the long tailed garment. Vest is one of these. He wears a very much •wrinkled cutaway coat. Gorman wears a cutaway, fitting his figure trimly. For an unostentatious man Gorman is remarkably well dressed. His dress is as clean cut and characteristic as his profile, and he almost always wears a well brushed silk hat.

The last time I saw John Sherman at the capitol was on inauguration day, and he had around his neck a coachman's collar of fur which stood out like a ruff from his thin figure. Mr. Sherman is one of the frock coated statesmen whose clothing is always wrinkled and loose fitting. Senator Allison, on the other £and, is always attired in a black broadcloth coat which looks as though it had just come from the hands of his tailor. I suspect Mr. Allison of having a valet concealed about his bachelor home on Vermont avenue. Mr. Aldrich is in marked contrast with Mr. Allison. He wears a close fitting cutaway suit and looks like what he is—a business man. Mr. Morrill of Vermont wears the "customary suit of solemn black." His clothing is always well fitting and neatly kept. He wears his long frock coat hanging open. That is a point of difference between the senators and the justices of the supreme court. The senators wear their frock coats unbuttoned the justices, when they are not in their robes, wear their frock coats tightly buttoned about them. The frock coat is almost as much a uniform as the black silk robe with the supreme court justice.

Most of the presidents, sinoe long trousers came into vogue, have worn long frock coats buttoned closely about them. Mr. Cleveland always did, and his portly figure swelled his coat out of all graceful proportion. Mr. Harrison did, and the length of the skirts emphasized the squatness of his figure. Arthur was very particular about the set of his coat. He had his clothing made by a New York tailor, and he tried to live up to his reputation as the only gentleman who ever sat in the White House."

Garfield and Hayes wore close fitting frock coats which were always tightly buttoned. Lincoln, on the contrary, wore a loose skirted frock ooat which usually hung open. Its looseness disguised in some measure the scantiness of the president's figure. President McKinley wears a tight fitting frock coat.

Mr. Bailey will find a graat many men in both branches of congress who will sympathize with his objections to the dissipations of society—men who believe that the duty of a public man is to his constituents and bis country, not to the women who give afternoon teas and the men who give poker parties. One of these is Senator Frye, who says he despises "functions," and is never so happy as at his summer home on Squirrel island, where he can wear a flannel shirt and "loaf and invite his soul." But Mr. Frye has a dress suit for use when occasion demands it.

Bat the Wedding Went On.

My memory goes back again 11 years to a White House incident. The president of the United States was to be married. He had bidden only the members of his cabinet to the ceremony. One of them—Mr. Garland—begged the president to excuse him on the plea that he never wore a dress suit—the plea that young Bailey made when he called on President McKinley the other day. President Cleveland urged Mr. Garland to reconsider. He wanted particularly to have all the members of the cabinet at his wedding. Mr. Garland was firm. He said be would not come to the wed' fling in his frock coat and he would not •wear a dress coat. So the wedding went on without him.

Not long before Jacob T. Child of Missouri had been appointed minister to S'*"1 I asked him if he intended to set a dress suit—the accepted court cos

Jl-I

tnme of the American diplomat abroad. Mr. Child said that he dirt not He objected to it solely on the score of economy. He did not propose to spend $40 or $50 on anew suit, and he thought the of Siam would not care very much whether tie

did or did not. The

king of si*" is coining to America soon, perhaps we will learn then just what be did think of Mr. Child and his lack of ceremony.

Qt(»8B OlUXTHiX Baol

A Faithful Wife's Anxiety.

She Pleads for the Life of Her Husband but is Told that He has but One Month to Live.

A Sturdy Wolvtrint Farmer, Weighing 168 Pounds, Rt« duced to a Moro Skoleton In Tour Short Months. After Being Turned from the Physician's Door to Die, He Lives to Become His Former

Self. He Tells the Story.

From the Democrat. Caro, Mich. "Fourteen years ago,'* said H. Underwood. who has tor the past five years held the office ol School Director District Wo. 7 lndiantields townshin, and is well tcnown throughout the county ".my brother and 1 moved into this county. 'Twas a wilderness then, and we located in the pines here with nothing but our hands to carve out our homes. It was an unequal struggle but hard work and economy won the day and two years ago, with my forty acres nearly clear of debt, I began to feel that the worst was over. In April of that snring 1 was assisting in driving logs down the Cass River, when I was taken with a slight but constant pain in the left side below the heart. As days passed the trouble increased my appetite fell away and I visited one of the best known and most successful doctors in Caro. the county seat. 1 was informed that I had an inward abscess and must cease work.

It was hard to quit work when I knew too well that it only meant another mortgage on my little farm, but within a few days I was obliged to return to my home. The medicine furnished by the doctor grave me Blight relief but I could detect no permanent benefit My appetite was gone: I could not sleep, and each day found me growing weaker. I next visited Dr. A. L. Seeley, of Mayville, who, from the first, said that he had but slight hopes of benefiting me and recommended that I go to a sanitarium. With no money this I could not do. even though it would save my life, and with medicine that the doctor furnished I returned to my home feeling that the last ray of hope that I ever would be my former self was fast disappearing. Days passed and I waa rapidly losing flesh. During the awftil months which I passed that summer—and I can never forget them—I was reduced in flesh from weighing 168 pounds to 110. "Slowly the lone days and the awful nights passed until another seven days had been

added to the awful days of torture and still no relief, and my weight was now 140 unds, nerves shattered and my system in a plorable condition. At this juncture my wile said that something must be done, and with assistance I was taken to Mayville, where Dr. Seeley was again consulted. After making a thorough examination my wife earnestly pleaded that he do something for me. He said that he could do nothing relief might be found at a sanitarium, but otherwise he would give me just one more month to live. Sorrowfully she turned from the physician's door, and what I considered my last journey home was soon to be undertaken. I had read in the Caro Democrat of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People and the benefits manv had received from them, and with faith less than the grain of mustard seed,' I asked her to step into the drug store and secure a box. This she did, and after a jolting ride over a poor road we finally reached home, tired, worn and in sorrow. I took the first pills that night, and left mv wife sitting sorrowfully comparing the flickering hopes of my life with the faint rays of light from my bedroom door, while I thought only of what the doctor had said.

The forepart of the nieht I was restless as usual, but, do you believe, during the latter art of that very niirht I caught a nap, the rst sweet and resting sleep I had enjoyed for months. I continued the medicine the next day, and the following night I slept, yes sir slept a greater portion of the night. "Oh, you can't imagine how brightly the sun shone on our home before that week was over, and how the faint rays of hope were fanned into a flame. But iny father and many of my neighbors shook their heads and said: Simply something quieting about those pills 'twill be back again, look out for the after effects.' But here are the after effects," said Mr. Underwood standing erect, the picture of health and weighing 165 pounds. From the second day after setting the pills the change set in. I could sleep, etite came back, and before I had the third box of Dr. Williams' Pink

72 Garobn

720-722 Wabash Avenue.

Michigan,)

Cocnty

Tuscola.J'

Personally appeared oefore me, H. M. Underwood, who, under oath, declared that the statements made in the above interview wer# true and correct in every respect

Signed: C. D. Pktkrshans, Aotary Public., in and for Tuscola County, Michigan. Orson Livermore, who was present at the interview with Mr. Underwood, said: "Yes, neighbor Underwood's cure is considered a miracle by the people of this locality, and the story is told over and over again." "Why." said Mr. Underwood,'if you have any doubts about the matter, just call on Samp. Wells, J. H. Weaver.Guy Wilson, Andrew Thompson, my father, T. K. Underwood, or any of tne dozens of reliable farmers in this section they know all about it."

During the conversation which followed after the interview tb% reporter learned that Dr. Hendris. of Mayville, recommends Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People in his practice, and that Mrs. Thomas Anderson, living but a few miles away, had received marvelous help from them also that John Smith. Sr., living near Akron, this county, an old entleman eighty-nine years of age, who had een a sufferer from bilious rheumatism for ears, had been entirely cured by their use.

Jut as night was approaching the reporter could not pursue his investigations turther.

A Muscatine Woman.

On the second floor of one of our neatest business buildings, located at No. 125 West Front Street, is the home of Constable and Mrs. M. C. Briggs, and it was visited to-day for the purpose of speaking to Mrs. Briggs on a question of considerable weight to her. The reporter upon railing found Mrs. Brigga a little indisposed (not however with her former complaint), but nevertheless in a very congenial mood. Upon inquiry as to the benefit she derived from the use of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, she said:

About eighteen months since I was taken down with sciatic rheumatism in my lower limbs, especially my right leg, and so fierce was the attack that 1 could not walk at all. After trying various remedies, all without avail, a lady neighbor of mine, Mrs. John Yoder, who, I think, is now living in Eldon, mentioned Pr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People and said she had used them for similar trouble and had found them very beneficial. 1 purchased a box of pills at F. Nesper & Co.'s drug store, and before I had

taken

all of thf first box I began to feel much improved and the j:ain began to ease. I continued to take them, buying a second box. and when I had nearly finished the second box I was able to walk about as ably as ever and have not had an attack since. "I heartily endorse Ir. Williams" Pink Pills for l'ale People «nd feel confident that anyone afllicted as I w.as could be easily restored to their usual health by their use." From, the .Journal. Jftwal-ine, Imm.

Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are now given to the public as an unfailing blood builder and nerve restorer, curing all forms of weakness arising from a watery condition of the blood or shattered nerves. The pills are sold by all dealers, or will be sent post paid on receipt of price, 50 cents a box, or six boxes for $2.50 (tliey are never sold in bulk or the 100), by addressing Dr. Williams' Medicine Comnany, Schenectady, N. Y.

til

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complete and permanent, and I have not seen a sick dar sinoe and you bet Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are as nuggets of gold at our house." 'Swear to the statements I have made? Why, certainly and with pleasure," said Mr. Underwood, when the reporter suggested that some people who were not acquainted with him might be skeptical, and he accompanied the reporter to a justice'* office, where the following acknowledgment was taken: State

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