The News And Herald

Securing a Costume.

An Incident in the Career of Joseph Emmet.

He uses Money and Lager, and finally Accomplishes his Purpose.

In conversation with the reporter of the San Francisco Chronicle, the other day, Mr. Joseph Emmet, the actor, described his difficulty in securing the costume he wears while playing "Fritz," the German emigrant:

"It was in Buffalo, New York," said Mr. Emmet, "that I succeeded in getting so excellent a dress for 'Fritz.' Up to the day I was to play the part for the first time I had nothing suitable to wear in the character. I rehearsed for the last time and felt annoyed at the deficiency. But I trusted Providence and started once more for the railway station where the emigrant train was expected—a place I had been visiting previously for some time. When there five minutes, I heard the whistle. In came the train and off jumped the emigrants—one, two, three—and none had clothes to suit me. But No. 4 wore a unique costume of the fatherland, just the thing I wanted. I approached him and addressed him in the best German I could command. He knew too much Dutch for me, and when I got out of words he simply looked puzzled. I tried English, and he looked worried. I took hold of his coat and pointed at his boots to show that they were the things I was after. This settled it. He thought I was a rogue or an emigrant runner, and tried to edge out of the depot and get away from me. I took his arm and invited him to have a glass of lager.

'Nein! nein!' and he rushed from me as if I was a robber. I was not to be so defeated. I wanted his clothes and must have them.

"I rushed into an adjacent lager beer saloon and called to the barkeeper:

"'Here, Peter, come here quick!'

"'Vy, vots tho matter, you? You looks excited.'

"'Don't stop there. Come here, or it will be too late.'

"'My Gott, man, you looks frightened of yourself. Vos a house on fire?'

"'Do you see that emigrant two squares up going into that beer saloon?'

"'Yah! I saw him.'

"'Run after him and get that suit of clothes he has on. I must have them, or I can't play Fritz to-night.'

"'Vell, I got you another one.'

"'I shall make a failure in any other dress but the one he has on. Go and get it at any price. One hundred, two hundred dollars. I must have it.'

"'Vell, vait; I gote my hat.'

"'Never mind your hat. You will lose the fellow. I'll lend you mine.'

"So Peter rushed up the street at full run, without his hat, and entered the saloon. He stayed a good while. I became anxious, and leaving the beer shop to take care of itself, I rushed after him. Going into the place I found the emigrant surrounded by half a dozen American Germans, who were reasoning with him. According to Peter's account, he wouldn't sell 'em because he wanted them to hang up in his house in memory of Deutschland. Money couldn't induce him. I ordered a keg of beer, and the Germans put themselves outside of it and became very happy. I renewed the offer and finally got them for thirty dollars."