Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-30
BESSIE TURNER AS AN ACrRESs.
The chief OF Henry Ward Baecher, ,,
Witnesses Before the ROOtlights,

witnesses Before the FOoiIisnts.
Boston Herald's New Yerk letter.
A famous woman has made her
first appearance upon the New York
stage, and the brief mention that
she received in the press was a fair
indication of the small attention
given to the event. Yet it is not
long since Bessie Turner was talked
of the world over as the most di-
verting witness in the Beecher
trial, and as altogether a remarka-
bic young person. How graphic
ally she described scenes in the do
mestic life of Theodore Tilton.
With what droll humor she told
about his hanging pictures at mid
night in his shirt. What a power of
mimicry she displayed in reproduce
ing his tones and gestures when he
bullied his wife. What dramatic
element she impaired to her story
of his loving advances. Bessie en-
tertained her audiences more sue
cessfully than did any other witness,
not excepting Beecher, Tilton,
Moulton, or Mrs. Moulton. One
day J. W. Collier, the actor, was
present during one Of her best per-
formances.
"That girl ought to be on the
stage" he said; "shc has the natu-
raj instinct of an actress"
Well, Collier recently went in a
speculation with the play, ga Cele-
brated Case" He bargained with
the Union Square folks for the
right to take "a Celebrated Case"
to New England cities. He remem-
bered Bessie Turner, and offered
her hance to make a small be.
ginning on the stage. She very
gladly accepted. The drama has
been very extensively played, and
some readers must remember that
four peasant girls are introduced in
the first act Of the prologue. They
talk briefly with Madelaine about
the bracelet that is to be an impor-
tant thing in the plot, ask Sergeant
ORourke for news Of their lovers
in the army, and utter exclamations
of horror over the murdered
wOman's body. All they have to do
in their own scene isnot much, and
in the 'lapse of twelve years" they
are forgotten by the audience. Bes-
sic was given one of these small
parts for the New England tour.
Collier refrained from any endeavor
to use her fame for profit. She was
called Beth Avery in the bills, and
for weeks her identity was not dis
closed.
The minor task assigned TO Bes-
sic was fairly performed, but 1t af-
forded little proof whether she real
ly had much dramatic ability. The
company, reorganized to some ex-
tent, played the piece at Niblo's
Garden. 1t was decided to give her
a larger opportunity by casting her
for Valentines maid. However,
this was not long stride forward,
for the maid appears in only one
scene-that in which Valentine dis
covers, through the all-important
locket, that her supposed father is
a murderer. She has half dozen
short sentences to speak, while ex-
amining jewelry from which Valen-
tine is to choose some to wear; but
at the Union Square the character
was played by an experienced ac-
tress, whose neat performance
helped the scene materially. Dur
ing the New England tour Bessie
had not been given much attention,
for the audience did not know her /;
but here it was different. Her real
name had been printed in some of
the Niblo Garden posters, and a
stretching Of neeks, o rustllng of
skirts, and a free use of opera
glasses when she came into Sight
proved that many in the audience
were curious about her. She stood
as inaexible as o wooden doll, and
when she moved it was with a ierky
Stiffness in keeping with the CON
ceit that she really was a wooden
doll, with few joints. Could it be
that she, the most imperturbable of
witnesses, was frightened? Could
it be that facing a theater full of
people sGaFed one who had coolly
borhe, in a crowded courtroom,
day after day of close eross-ques-
tioping2 She missed a cue, and
that blpndOr left Valentine stand
ing in the center Of tho stage, in
bha midst Of an impassionel scene,
in awkwaFd silence.
go on" said Valentine, in an
undertone.
Bessie seemed bewildered, and
said not word. She was handling
the iewelry at a table, and the break
did not put her into any such di-
lemma as it did poor Valentine,
who was compelled to wait, close to
the fOOtlights, facing the audience,
and in a strained attitude that grew
ridiculous by being prolonged.
There was a litter here and there.
Why don't you go AZ" said
Valentine, in tone loud enough to
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