EPILOGUE AND CURTAIN

GERMAN ACTORS PRESENT LAUREL WREATH TO AN ENGLISH COLLEAGUE

When the yellow fever ravaged the South last September, the malady claimed Mrs. Methua-Scheller, who lived in Vicksburg, Tennessee (sic) at the time and two (sic) days later her husband and sixteen-year-old son also succumbed. All who knew Mrs. Methua-Scheller, as an artist or personally, were greatly grieved. Among the sorrowing friends was Milton Nobles, who is appearing at Hamlin’s Theater.

In Vicksburg he found the forgotten grave of the artist. As a token of affection and appreciation, he provided a monument, and last evening his kindness was rewarded. At the end of the second act, during the performance of his own play The Phoenix, Messrs. V. Meyer, Hans Ravene, and Julius Rodenberg presented Nobles with a laurel wreath on a blue silk pillow. A white silk ribbon bore the legend: A token in recognition of Milton Nobles, by the German actors of Chicago. A gold ring, engraved with Nobles’ name, was included in the gift.

Mr. Meyer, in a short speech, explained the motives for the present, whereupon Nobles, deeply moved and scarcely able to suppress his tears, replied that what he had done he considered merely a sacred obligation to the artist who advised and guided him when he was but a neophyte in art. He never thought of recognition, nor did he seek it. He thanked his colleagues “who are serving the same Muse, though in another language.”

Such an emotional scene probably never was presented at Hamlin’s theater. The public listened breathlessly, and appeared deeply affected.

- - - -From a History of the Hamlin Theater, Chicago

And bless them all, these Hyacinths, these Bringers-of-the-Beautiful. They lend a wonderful savour and an enduring beauty to our lives. May they all sleep sweetly.

Curtain