Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1869-08-24


don he found strolling company at Seven
Oaks in anything but fourishing condition.
He had known the manager and lew oil Inc
actors in his carly days; and he, now the
great Mr.. Kean, played Shyloek in barn
for their benefit. The rush was very great,
and a large majority were Obliged TO content
themselves with the sound of his voice out
side the imprOYised temple OF Melpomene.
Alter the performance he invited the corps
draaaatique to sup with him at the principal
tavern, and when he departed from seven
Oaks on the following morning he left n well
filed purse TO be divided among the COM
pany. In 1S47 he played gratultously Tor
The benefit of two or three actors at Brighton.
One of them pressed him at least 10 allow
them 10 defray his travelling expenses, Dut
his reply was very CHARACTERISTIC; MY dear
sir, friend does you very little favor In
making You a present of hare when lie
puts you to the expense of carriage anu por-
terage." A few nights later he played for
the benefit of the manager, and when the
latter rendered him half the receipts, hean,
learning that he had a large family, gently
pushed thorn back. "I'll have none OF II,
for you have nine children, and have only
one.
On another occasion he met an old his
trionic acquaintance in very reduced circum-
stances. The child Of the latter played the
|
after he had been smothered by Gloucester's
orders, the actor slipped a packet, which
subsequently proved TO contain ten guineas,
into his hand, telling the recipient not to
give il TO his lather until they went to bed.
But of all instances of his generosity, that
exhibited TO Butler, manager oil the North
allerton company, is the most grateful 10
our recollection. II may be remembered
that when Kean obtained his engagement at
lst.. t.aN AFnufHan
him with the means OF travelling 10 London
by the stage coach, in order that he might
reach the metropolis within the required
time, and that on leaving Northallerton the
youthful actor assured the generous mana
ger that if fortune ever smiled ON his efforts
he would not forget him. Shortly alter
Kean's departure, Butler died, and in the
absence of his managerial tact and sklll, me
company, reduced to disorgani2alion, would
have dispersed itself in various directions,
had il not been for the liberality OF Miss
Lawrence, n member OF the De Gray family,
who reorganized the company, and secured
them from actual want by yearly allow
anee of twenty-five guneas.
The management then dev0lved np0n
Buffers son and when, shortly allef the
London tf:umphs in 1914, Kean paid pro-
iessional visit 10 NOrthallerlon, he found the
company in very prosperous condition, anu
Buffers son the proprietor of the theatre in
that town. UnrecOgnized by his ancient
colleagues, Kean opened a short engagement
in "Richard ILL.," and stirred the usually
: quiet town TO ferment Of enthusiasm. On
the following day Butler, in accordance with
the terms of the engagement, waited upon
Kean with eS0-half the receipts OF the
nights performance. He was proceeding
TO safety the tragedean in business like
way that 1t twas all right" when the latter
stopped HIM with wave of the hand. My
f dear sir, oblige me by putting this money In
J your pocket" The worthy manager, THOR
oughly mystifled, asked him what he meant.
tWlen a boy Of nineteen, and a strolling
, player, answered the tragedian, II Joined
] your fathers trolpen-a ray of recognition
broke over Buffers face" and while IN
l the troupe got engaged for the Haymarkei
and if / did not reach London in certain
( given time I was to miss the chance, ant
q when found il lmrQsshle 10 tramp II YOU
& father paid for an outside scat on the coacl
, for me, and told him that If ever became
: n great actor l would not forget HIM. Ant
now, old fellow he continued, advancing
and shaking the manager heartily by tn
hand, "pick up that money, and let me re
- deem the promise to the father by rewardin!
e the son. Man alive don't YOU remembe
0 young Ted, who played Harlequin to you
!. Goose when we first introduced 'Mothe
/. Goose here? And don't you remember tn
II boys of the town calling after you, "Goose
d goosen The manager replied in the affirm
atlye, and returned the grip with Interest
], "And where's old GeorgeY" asked the trae
e edian : '"I have surprise in store for him.
Df Behind the scenes of the Norlhallerto
n Theatre they found the old actor, who'
ia hair had now grown gray with age. ID
lie YOU recollect ME, George?' Kean asked. e
g can't say that | do, sir, was the reply
IN Last night when saw you gong throug
er that wonderful performance of yours, thel
s. was something in your eye that made N
lie think had seen you before, and tried
g, recollect you, but my memory is not so goc
ID as It once was and l couldn't, try all
10 could" "Well, then, I am the Master Tt
y who used 10 sleep with you, and of who
IS Won often predicted good things, and YC
8, sec that you are a sort of conjurer." Al
be the noble-heaIted tragedian, who enjoy
the utter bewllderment Of old George, sli
he ned eco into his hand.
c. A story told in the Champion shortly aft
I'D Edmund's first appearance in London, mi
as be related in further illustration of his W
OF lingness 10 recognize his old associate
ng Just after he had gone off the stage In o
of the scenes of "Richard III, !" and VIII
"a, .'the laundering applause of the house W
ct- rushing after him like an overwhelmi
ut torrent" he caught sight of subordint
=, performer, dressed as menlal IN the pl
wo of which he was the hero. "Do you remel
ts' ber me, my iriend?" mo, SIR" return
IN, the man, somewhat startled at such an L
nd axnscted inierroeotory, ~ fear that ca
not clam The honor of ever having be
an known to you" "You mistake. Do
ION you recollect when you played the part
e1- at Drury Lane that Little boy bl
eo' UP your train? was that little boy" /
an story OF man who claimed TO be brotl
,. OF actor with Garrick, saying, when )
s nss played Hamlet | played the Cock," is P
she cisely the reverse of this.-HaCktas' Lift
the m Edmund Kean.