Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-07-25
How Prot. Henry Missed BEING IN
Actor,

Thurlow Weed has written very in
teresting letter to the New York Tribune
describing how the late Prof. Henry, the
well-known scientist and secretary of the
Smithsonian Institute, just escaped be-
ing, an actor. He says:
My adduaintance with Joseph Henty
commencing in 1918, ripened Into warm
friendship. He was then an apprentice
to John F. Doty, silversmith, in State
street. Albany. was iourneyman in the
office of the Albany Register, published
by Henry G. Southwick. During the war
with England, which had just closed, the
Green Street Theatre; with strong COM
pany, literally patronized by the officers
of the army stationed in Greenbush, awak
ened much enthusiasm among the young
gentlemen of Albany, several Of whom
formed themselves into an amateur theat-
rieal company. ..e> Z
They fitted up hall formerly used for
dramatic representations; then known as
the Thespian Hotel, Oh the cornoy of
North Pearl and PATRON streets. They
attracted large audiences. Joseph Henry
became bright and particular starr
His young Noival, Damon, and even
Hamlet, we're pronounced equal in con-
ception, and execution to the presentations
OF experienced and popular actors. His
friends, charmed with his talents and
genius, urged him to adopt the stage as
a profession. His own thoughts and in
cljnation rendered him willing listener.
Soon the manager Of the Green Street
Theatre offered him permanent engage
ment with n liberal salary. With that
he young aspirant for dramatic donors
was greatly delighted. But DR.. T. Ro-
meyn Beck, principal Of the Albany
Academy. believed that there was a way
opened to the young man promising
greater usefulness and more enduring
honors than the drama could confer. AZ
ter consultation with the trustees, DR..
Beck invited young Henry to enter upon
and complete a gratutisus academic
course. While anxiously considering
these conflicting offers three of his init
mate friends, James Dexter, law student,
james Hunter, a printer, and myself, were
called into consultation. "}@
Hunter and myself saw for our friend
in dramatic career assured fame and
fortune. Eexter, less enthusiastic, prea
ferred academic honors to those of the
''sock' and ,'buskin:" =. He urged. calmly
but forcibly, that if the stage was to be
ultimately adopted as a profession, an
academic education would increase our
friends chances for enduring success, and
that. after completing his education he
would be quite young enough to become
an actor. This argument after a long
and anxious mental struggle, proved
efectual. The following day @Joe Hen Il
ry" rejected Manager Bernard's DRAM tic
offer and took his seat t. in 8 the Albany
Academy. Mr.. Doty, when, informed Of
his apprentices desire to become stu
Ident in the academy, generously surren-
dered his indentures. It was only few
weeks before the ~ ung Roscius" became
SO absorbed in and delighted with his
studies that the theatre with all its at
tractive associations was forgotten. Long
years afterward, when we met in Wash
ington or in his visits to 70 albany, while
recalling the; scenes of our youth, the
grave Professor Henry, witha worldwide
scientific reputation, remembered this.
episode IN his life as par.aking more Of
dream than as q reality. <'5 . 80