Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-08
Marrying an Actress.

In the winter Of 1888 a party OF
bright and lively young people had as
sembled to spend the period OF Christmas
festivity at spacious old country.seat
not very far from Dublin. Several of
them, ladies as well as gentlemen, had
already acted creditably on the amateur
stage; so they fitted out large hall as q
theater, and got up several standard
comedies in a manner that elected
hearty applause. Encouraged by this
success, they thought they might manage
one of Shakspeare's tragedies; and their
choice fell IN Romeo and Juliet. They
succeeded in casting all the characters
but one, that of Juliet herself. 1t was
offered to several young ladies in success
sion; but they all persistently refused,
fearing to attempt so arduous a part.
In this dilemma some one suggested an
expedient. Miss 0'Neill, then in the
zenith of her fame, was an actress OF un-
blemished reputation, most ladylike de.
meanor, and eminent talent, whom /
once saw as Juliet. She was then re-
garded, justly l imagine, as the most
perfect interpreter of Shakspeares en-
bodiment Of fervid passion and devotion
in the daughter of Capulet that had ever
appeared on the London boards; her
singular beauty admirably seconding her
rare powers, and turning the heads OF
half the fashionable young men OF the
day. She was universally respected,
was often admitted to the best society,
and had several times assisted at private
theatricals.
1t so happened that she was then in
Dublin, and, for the time, without an en-
gagement. The proposal was to ask
her, on her own terms, to come to them
and take the part Of Juliet This was
eagerly acceded to, and letter dis
patched accordingly.
The part of Romeo had been assigned
to gentleman of fortune and family
Mr.. Becher, of Ballygibben, county
Cork; jeune enc re, as the French say,
for he was still on the right side of forty,
and excelling all his companions in his
trionic talent. To him, as soon as the
invitation had been given, came one Of
his intimate friends. Becher," said
he. take my advice before it is too
late. ThroY up the part of Romeo. |
dare say some one else can be found to
take it. III
Back out Of the part2 And why,
pray? Do you think my acting is not
worthy to support Miss 0'NeilPs2
"Yon act only too WELL my good fel-
low, and identify yourself only too per
fectly with the characters yon under
take. know Miss 0'Neill well; there
can't be a better girl, but she's danger
GUS. She's perfectly bewitching in her
great role. 1t is notorious that no man
ever played Romeo to her Juliet without
falling in love with her. Now, I'd be
sorry to see you 60 to the stage for
wife"
Marry an actressl and at my age
Do yeu take me for fool?
Anything but that, Becher. l do
take YOU for a wholesouled splendid
fellow, with a little touch of romance
about you, impressible by beauty, and
still more alive to grace and talent, and
/ really can't make up my miEd to ad-
dress even that glorious creature as
Mrs. Becher.
"Do talk sense, Tom. If ] hadn't
agreed to play Romeo, I'd go and take
the part now, just to convince you how
ridiculous you are.
=" Well, all / hope is that the enchant-
ress will decline" :,
But she accepted. Becher played
Romeo, shared the fate of his predeees-
sors; was engaged within the month,
and married few weeks afterward.
Ny father spent several days with
them at their conntry-seat. He was
charmed With Mrs. Becher, in whom, he
said he could not detect the slightest
trace Of the actress. And the marriage,
nv father told us, seeHed to have been
emineutly fortunate, thouga up to that
time they had no children.
In the sequel they had several chill
dren. Mr.. Becher. eight years later,
was created baronet, lived thirty years
with his wife and was succeeded in 1850,
by their sen, Sir Henry Wrixou Becher
he present baronet. Lady Becher died
oniy last winter, loved aud mourned by
friends and dependants, having survived
her husband more than twenty years
Poberf Dale Oren, in atlantic.