Show Old- Old Time Stage Superstitions Rapidly Passing Into Histo History y J The time old-time player was probably as ns superstitious a mortal as ever lived H with with the possible exception of or the Francis Wilson brave bra sailor boy boor says as a's who Is Is now starring In the laughing farce When hen Knights Were ere Bold And nd Francis Wilsons Wilson's knowledge of lore is most profound older of or A uA few Cew of or the generation actors may have havo them hem all aJl but with the exception o of a few fow I do not believe belie that hat players can ean in the main be ClasS classed d a as any more superstitious thann thanin than my in n other individual Most of ot the superstitions su su- su- su ns of or the last generation of or players layers and they were almost numberless number number- less ess are arc probably overs hold-overs from Crom bYgone byone by- by gone one days Four people shaking hands at it the same ame time one set of oC hands being above the the theother other was certain to foretell a a. marriage would follow between two of or the four Cour within a year A A. chair accidentally broken In the tho course courso cour e of or the tho business of or a n. scene foretold dire diro disaster anil to hear h ar the Macbeth Incidental l music pla played cd during the course of oC an any other performance meant all an sorts of dreadful dreadful dread dread- ful ul things To wall under a ladder was something something some some- thing to be avoided with Infinite care would and few tew of the thc time old-time actors even venture to walk under a newly erected scaffolding in front of or a building Whistling In the tho dressing dressing- of oC also certain sign n room was wn a trouble and should a third party pass pa 3 the were between two friends while they walking a dl dissolution solution o of friendship oven Q if H of long IonA standing was considered considered considered con con- Inevitable Inc An Any time old player play play- er et would inevitably endeavor at his first entrance In a a. new production to hold or touch something wooden Indeed Indeed Indeed In In- deed I know one of or the foremost comedians of or today who invariably keeps his hands on wood as much as po possible both on and off the stage But he comes or of a Ion long line of ot theatrical sal cal cal ancestors ancestor An Any player associated with a number number num num- ber her of or plays which havo been failures tend to bo he look looked d upon as a hoodoo and his services were In small amaH demand In fact It was wit with wita considerable dIfficulty difficult difficulty dif dif- that such a ono one could secure an engagement although of course COUlse tho the f failure nure were in no way attributable able ablo to himself A curious managerial superstition used to bo ho tho the effect that the tho first person per passing the doorkeeper at the opening of ot an engagement must have havea u. u paid paltI ticket for tor should n deadhead enter tho- tho th houe ef before money mone came in the tife entire engagement was If Ie an any time old-time actor saw sawa a pin with its p point Int towards him he would in variably stood and pick it up for that was very er good luck but hut should It lay lap in the reverse position he would scorn to touch It t. t The infusion of new blood Into the profession has hns made the tho time old superstition of the player practically a thing thing- o of the past and is 15 rapidly reaching a point where it can hard hardly he be said ald to exist |