The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-12-11
BOOTH THE ELDER.

| AIOoI witnessing one OF Elder bOOGD 5
splendid efforts at Boston, Mr.. Simmons,
who was celebraed for his lectures on
elecution and dramatic poetry, introdu-
ced himself to Mr.. Booth, acknowledged
1.-THE pleasure he had derived from listen
ing to his beautiful readings, andreques-
ted that they might read together some
passage Of their favorite author, he too
being worshiper at the shrine of Shaks-
peare. Booth readily consentedand in
vited Mr.. Simmons to accompany him
to his lodgings. Upon arriving there a
light was produced, the tragedian took
from a shelf two volumes, which proved
to be the Bible and a copy of Shakespeare.
''Now," said Booth, 81 viii read from
either"
''Well, from the Scripture then," said
Simmons, "for I would like to hear the
sacred volume read by one so capable of
giving force and effect to the solemnity
Of itslanguage."
Booth selected chapter, ''andnever, :"
said Simmons, "was l before so struck
with the eloquence, beauty and power of
the passages read by the greatactor, when
seated at that pine table, his fine features
| glowing with the fire of genius, he pour
ed out his rich, melodious tones, appar-
entity completely absorbed byhis subject.
Late as it was, [ could have sat the night
through listening to eloquence till then
unhesrd, and of which before had no
conception. -
Upon another occasion Booth and sew
| eral of his friends had been invited to
dine with an old gentleman in Boston, of
distinguished kindness, urbanity andpiety.
The host, though disaproving of theater-
going, had heard so much of Booths re-
markable powers that curiosity to see the
man had, In this instance, overcome al
scruples and preiudices. After the en-
tertainment was over, lamps lighted, and
the company re-seated in the drawing
room, some onerequested Booth, as par
ticular favor, and one which all present
would doubtless appreciate, toread aloud
the Lords Prayer. Booth expressed his
willingness to afford them this gratifca-
ton, and all eyes were turned expectant-
y upon him.
Booth rose slowly and reverently from
his chair. 1t was wonderful to watch the
play of emotion that convulsed his coun-
tenance. He became deathly pale, and
his eyes turned tremblingly upward, were
wet with tears. Asyet he hadnotspoken.
The silence could be felt. It becameab-
solutely painful, until atlast the spell was
broken as if by an electric shock, as his
Irieh-tuned voice, from white lips, sylla-
bled forth, ''Our Father who art in
Heaven" ect., with a pathos and fervid
Isolemnity that thrilled all hearts, He
finished. The silence continued.
Not voice was heard or a muscle
moved in his rapt audience, until, from
a remote corner of the room a subdued
sob was heard and the old gentleman
(their host stepped forward with stream
ing eyes and tottering frame, and seized
Booth by the hand. ''Sir," said he, in
broken accents, 'syou have afforded me
a pleasure for which my whole future
life VIII feel grateful. I am an old man,
and every day, from boyhood to thepres-
Ient time, l thought had repeated the
Lords Prayer, but l have never heard It
before, never"
''You are right, y replied Booth; ''to
read that prayer as II should be read has
caused me the severest labor and study
for thirty years, and am far from being
yet satisfied with my rendering Of that
wonderful productions Hardly one per
son in ten thousand comprehends how
much beauty, tenderness and. grandeur
can be condensed In space 50 small and
in words SO simple. That prayer Of it
self sufficiently illustrates thetruth of the
Bible, and stamps upon it the seal of di-
vinity.
So great was the effect produced that
conversation was sustained but a short
time longer In subdued monosyllables,
and almost entirely ceased, and soon
after, at an early hour, the company broke
up, and retired to their homes, with sad
faces and full hearts