The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-30
u.minIseence of MRS. MeiOr.Geu. Butler

usu,infscence of Mrs. MaiOr-Gen. butler.
The New York correspondent OF the Providence
1.,,yual Is the author of the following
Some eighteen or twenty years ago, young
actress, q Miss HlldTeth, played for several
sveniues at the DoIrance Street Theatre in Proyi-
aeuce. happened 20 see her in the tragedy of
Jam Shore. Her part was a secondary one, that
of the friend and cOntidant of Edwards beautiful
fayorite but her conception of the character sur
prised me by its originality and impressive truth
fulness. felt that she had great dramatic talent,
and often wondered that her name had SO entirely
disappeared from the stage
In the spring of 1919, while visiting a friend in
Lowell found one morning, on returning from
a walk a card from Mrs. Benjamin Burler, with
an invitation 70 take tea with her the following
evening went with my host and hostess; NJ
other aue.ts were invited. The name OF Mrs.
Beniamin Butler had Tor me at that time no
other significance than might have had the name
of Mrs. John Smith. On our way to the house,
my host a Webster Wing, spoke of Mr. Butler
not too tatteringly, as successful lawyer, smart
but unscrupulous, ready to take up the worst
ease, and noted for always carrying his clients
through.
On entering the parlor, l was surprised 10
find in the charming aud graceful lady who re
ceiYed Us the dramatic friend and COutidant OF
"Jane Shore" whose talent had SO impressed me
at the DOrrance Street Theatre, who, fascinated
by the stage, and conscious Of dramatic power,
had obtained an engagement at one of the
Boston theatres, and who was, for about two
years earnestly devoted to her profession, when
Mr.. Benjamin Butler profered his heart and
hand and won her back to domestic life. l
found that she still loved the art, and prevailed
on her 10 read me some of her tayorite pas
Sages in Shakespeare. he read, | remember,
the prison scene in Measure for Measure, with a
passionate pathos which made me half regret
that the smart Lowell lawyer had won her
away from Melpomene and all her tragic glooms
asau spp,ssndors,
Later in the evening Mr.. Butler came in from
his Office and talked politics with my friend the
Webster Wing. The political problems OF that
day were far other than what they now are, though
their solution involved, more or less directly, all
the mighty interests Of the eventful present. A
"Black Republican" at heart then, as now, could
not but feel that pale half f-and-halt, pro-slayery
Republicanism of my friend, the Webster Wing
had little weight before the more consistent lOgl
and downright Democracy of the Lowell lawyer
As listened to his terse and trenchant talk,
did not quite SO much wonder that the youn
actress had preferred him TO Melpomene; yet hoy
little could l then have foreseen the importdI
aud decisive part which that indomita0le vii
that downright logic, were destined to play IN tl
greatest contest for liberty and law that ever COZ
Vulsed nation How little could l have foresee
that the "smart Lowell lawyer" would becoT
the terror OF the slave power the protector OF COZ
trabAnds, and "the refOTmer of refractory cities
North and South.