Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-27
THE ELDER BOOTH.
His SensitiVeneEB as to Destruction
of Animal Life.

Memorial and Biographical
Sketches" relates an anecdote of
Junius Brutus Booth, which, If it |
is odd, has not for many years found |
its way into print. Mr.. Clarke was,
at the time Of his story, preaching
in Louisville, KY. On the 4th of |
January, 1884, he received note
dated at the United States Hotel
in that city, inquiring whether
place Of interment could be granted
in the churchyard to certain of the
actors friends, and also what would
be the expenses attendant on the
purchase Of such a place of tempo
rary repose. Mr.. Clarke answered
the note in person, and was cordi-
ally received by Mr.. Booth. The
actor read "The Ancient Mariner"
and several poetical extracts. Then,
rising in very solemn manner,
and taking one Of the candles,
Booth said "Would you like to
look at the remains?"
Mr.. Clarke writes 81 assented.
Asking our silent friend booths
companion) to excuse us, Mr.. Booth
led me into an adjoining chamber.
/ looked toward a bed in the corner
of the room, but saw nothing there.
Booth went to another corner OF
the room, where, spread out upon a
large sheet, | beheld to my surprise
about bushel of wild pigeons.
"Booth knelt down by the side
Of the birds, and with evidence of
sincere affection began to mourn
over them. lie took them up ten
derly in his hands and pressed
them to his heart. For few mo-
mentS he seemed to forget my
presence. For this | was glad, for
1t gave me a little time to recover
from my astonishment, and to con-
sider rapidly what it might mean.
At first / thought it was hoax, an
intentional piece Of practical fun,
of which | was to be the object.
But / decided that this could not
be. considered that as a joke it
would be too poor in itself, and too
unworthy man like Booth. So !
decided that it was a sincere con.
viction, and | determined to treat
the conviction with respect.
81 also saw the motive for this
particular course of action. Dur
ing the week immense quantities of
wild pigeons had been flying over
the city, on their way to and from
roost in the neighborhood These
birds had been slaughtered by my
riads, and were for sale by the bush
el at the corners of every street in
the city. Although all the birds
which could be killed by man made
the smallest impression on the vast
multitudes contained in one of
these hocks-computed by Wilson
to consist some times of more than
1900, 0,OOO,0OO-yet to Booth the
destruction seemed wasteful, wan
ton, and, from his point of view,
was a willful and barbarous MUIR
der.
81 could not but feel certain
sympathy with this humanity. 1t
was an error in a good direction.
If an insanity, it was better than
the cold, heartless sanity of most
men. BY the time, therefore, that
Booth was ready to speak l was
prepared to answer"
you see, said he, these inno-
cent victims of mans barbarity. l
wish to testify, in some public way,
against this wanton destruction Of
lile. And | wish you to help me.
VIII you?"
Hardly replied. 'Iexpect-
cd something very different from
this when l received your note. /
did not come to you expecting to
be called TO assist at the funeral
solemnities Of the birds"
"'Nor did l send for you, he
answered; & merely wrote to ask
about the lot in the graveyard
But now you are here, why not
help me? DO you fear the laugh
OF men?'"
"No,' returned; If | agreed
W. you in regard to the subject,
'ght perhaps have the courage
to ACT out my convictions. | re-
spect your convictions, but do not
share them'..'"
Gle THANKED me, and l took my
leave, exceedingly astonished by
the incident, but also interested il
the earnestness Of conviction Of The
man.
al heard in day or two that h'
actually purchased q lot IN th'
cemetery, two or three m,les oel0N
the city, had a coffin made, Ii RED {
hearse and carriage, and had goS,