Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-18

RecOllectiOns Of the alist
ramatist-POet and Diplomat
A SKETCH By J. TeFoRD.

Ike spell word brings back to it's horne The affections
Wneh eer mas been betrayed to wander from it. 1t is
oasers bending it with ali their EARLIEST and ten
to ass au
By that nsme.
In the summer Of 1852 the writer was on the
banks Of the Mississippi, near Galena-ina mood
full of depression and consequent low Spirits
his prospects in business direction were for
lorn, If not desperate. Home was near a thou
sand miles behind him, where wife and child
were waiting for his promised return. His
fingers were TREMENDOUSLY tapping table in the
rough sitting room of primitive inn and he
muttered absent-mindedly, "Home sweet
home, there is no place like home," over and
over emphasizing each and every word as men,
cries crowded upon him. A desire to hear from
his home became irresistible, and although he
had been to the post office few hours before
he started for it again. and, to his surprise and
qualification, found letters that brought him
news that shaped his future. as well as good
tidings from his little family, and also a copy Of
the BaltmoreSSun containing an announcement
OF the death in Africa of John Howard Payne,
the author of " Home, Sweet Home" The sim
gular coincidence of repeating, probably a
hundred shines or more, that very afternoon
Payne's immortal verse. of being called home by
the very same mail that brought the news of
the death OF the poet, made serious and abid-
ing impression upon his mind.
The same year the writer was in Baltimore
and engaged at the very thPater where PAYNE
had appeared as Young Roscius, in 1909 About
it then were playbills. and they are near by now
telling who were with him in the various casts
and tradition and gossip aided in creating his
tory as to his wonderful precocity and his bril-
liant audiences. 1t needs but slight stretch Of
Imagination to bring before the mind a perform
ance which some living witnesses can yet recall
and affirm as to essential particulars.
1t was on Friday evening, October 20, 1900
The announcement read: I" The public are re-
specially informed that Master Payne is engaged
to perform six nights. His first appearance will
be this evening, when will be presented cele-
brated tragedy in five acts, called Douglas; or
The Noble Shepherd Young Norral, by Master
Payne, his first appearance on this stage. The
doors will be opened at quarter past five, and
the curtain will rise at a quarter past six o'clock
precisely"
About this time 'Master Betty" who died
an OctOgenarian very few years ago, was the
greatest attraction of the English stage Kemble
paled before the boy actor, and the naughty and
sensitive Macready was compelled to act sub
ordinate roles with him. Royalty. the peerage
aristocracy, the bench. the bar and the univer-
sites paid the homage of admiration to the
genius of the youngster. News of the triumph
of the English lad had reached America and
when the managers of the old frame PLAYHOUSE
OF Baltimore announced the american Boy
Actor" the people were on the tiptOe of eXpec-
tatlOn. Before sunset a continuous crowd went
up from Market street-now Baltimore street
through the narrow lane. then Lennon" but
which was widened into Holiday street. passing
the corner where George Peabody was afterward
in business with the firm of Peabody, Riggs g.
Co. Around the ticket window as early as five
o'clock stood the eager crowd On its outside
was slender boy of fourteen years. wild with
excitement. urging one of more sturdy growth
to buy him ticket soon as the place was
opened. This youngster was John Pendeton
Kennedy. afterward Secretary Of the Navy,
and his sturdier friend was Hugh Young, IT,
brother of McClintock Young. since of the
United States Treasury, Washington. In the
fhrOng were such citizens as VIM. Gwynn, VIM
Mcdonald, Luther Martin, James Calhoun,
IhOrndyke Chase, VIM. Steuart. Henry PavsOn
Robert Gilmore. Jonathan Meredith and others
Many Of them had bought their tickets from
Mr.. Pullen, the treasurer. the day before, but
the younger and larger part OF the crowd waited
until the evening sale began for the cheaper
tickets then to be sold. And among this portion
OF the crowd were John Glenn VIM. Fulton and
Levi Pierce The Hugh Young, jr.. Just referred
to- was boy amateur actor. and afterwards
played Young NOrUdL with John p Kennedy in a
minor character.
The place opened. as announced at Gu arter
past live, and the rush was frantic Those
who had secured seats in advance thronged in
1t was still daylight. the sun had not passed be-
low the horizon. and the big white barn Of a
theater had windows sufficient to make its
light available as long as it lasted. Soon the
house was densely packed. The candles and
lamps were lit, and the music began. In the
orchestra were the three Durangs. All musi-
clans. and players on the stage as well. One of
this family five years later adapted the music to
Keys anthem of 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner"
and first played it in public in the new theater
built on the site OF this same play house. After
| the overture the play began. When Young
NOrval appeared the eXpectant public noted
youth who did not look fifteen, but who was
then fully seventeen years of age of a neat
small figure, and a handsome face beaming with
intelligence. His acting was greeted with the
greatest applause, and the demonstrations in
ms favor We're as ardent and as wild as the en-
thusiasm OF college boys now Is when the air of
Home, Sweet Home," is played on Commence
ment Day. In the company was the elder JET
ferson. the elder Warren. Gather of the comme-
dian, born in Baltimore and petted in Boston,
| and who passed his 10th year only few weeks
since. but who at the period of which we refer
was unborn the great old man actor Francis,
the then famous comedian Blssett, the Dur
| angs &c. The Lady Randolph of the play was
Mrs. Barrett, mother of 'Gentleman George"
OF after stage memories. Mrs. Poe. (the mother
of Edgar A. Poe, and formerly Miss Arnold
then married but brief time to Mr.. Poe Of
Baltimore, who was young. pretty and clever
both as an actress and singer. and Mr. Cone, (the
grandfather of the present Kate ClaXtOn,)
were also of the company
The plays during the week following were
'Pzarro," Hamlet" Lovers Vows" 1.-THE
Mountaineers," and for the benefit of Master
Payne on Monday. October 80 1909 'Tancred
and Sigismunda," by Thomson, the author OF
1.-The Seasons was performed. The prices
were Circles 81, and pit Is cents. After Ba!ti-
more Master Payne went to Washington and
acted there.
MI w. w. CorcOran 'frst saw him in 1909 in
that CITY," The venerable banker then mere
boy. says whenever could get twenty-five
cents to pay Tor seat went to see and hear
the tragedian and my memory of his appear
ance and action is now fresh a nd clear, after a
lapse of seventy-three years"
Payne returned to Baltimore in 1910 and
played four nights, closing with benefit on
Friday, May % Of that year, appearing In ''The
Orphan; or. The Unhappy Marriage" with War
rem, Mr., and Mrs Wood, Cone, Durang Mr.. and
Mrs. Jefferson, and others in the cast. For two
seasons his success elsewhere-in New York.
where he was born; in Boston, where his parents
had resided for awhile; in Philadelphia Rich
mond,, Charleston. etc.-was very great. He
was, however, fond of Maryland, and made
many acquaintance in this state. that ripened
into intimate friendship. He went occasinnallu