The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-11
LINCOLN AT THE THEATER.
His Interest in Plays and Plsyers-Recol.
1ections of John T. Raymond.

1ections of John T. Raymond.
Interview in the Washington Star.
by the way" said Mr.. Raymond 'Mr
Lincoln would often come down there at
night and sit in the Office. There's q point
for you, if you want it. He would. in
sit there for an hour and chat, and very often
go through the stage entrance into his box
sit there quietly and unobserved, see the per-
Torrance, and then 90 back home. He al
ways expressed himself as delighted to get
away from business and take an hour of
recreation at the threaten The character
istics of the man were so noble, so simple
and grand. He seemed to enjoy, when he
came to the theater his freedom from
business and cares of state. l remember
he ran on, lone night we were playing
'Pocahontas,' a burlesque, with Mrs. Iohn
Wood. In those days, when they caught a
pickpocket in the streets here the soldiers
would placard him. This is pick pocket
and send him around the streets to the tune
of the 'RogueAs March,, so the people would
know him, and we were burlesquing that on
the stage. Little Tad Lincoln, the son OF the
President-he is now dead, poor boyl jolly
little fellow; everybody liked him-came
down very often with his father, and he was
there that night. He was hanging around
the stage, and for the fun of the thing put
him in a ragged dress and set him on the
stage in the mob in one of the scenes. Mr.
Lincoln, who was in his box, saw the
threw his hands up in the air, and let one of
them drop over the side of the box. The au-
dience saw the hand and recognized it. There
was no hand in the world like Mr.. Lincoln's
so long and bony They recognized it and
shouted for him. He had to come to the
front of the box and bow. When Tad went
into the box Mr.. Lincoln threw his arms
around him, and the scene between the
father and the boy was most delightful. The
pleasure, the affection of the father was SO
intense, so spon taneous, and it was glorious
to see him. Why, at that time if anybody
had wanted to seize Mr. Lincoln they could
have done it readily He most always came
to the tIeater alone. He would go the box
office and then pass on in. Sometimes he
would stand on the stage few minutes He
| seemed to enjoy everything he saw, and was
a most hearty Laughter"
did you have much experience with him
as story-teiler?'' inquired the reporter,
"Oh, yes, heard him tell lots of stores.
cannot remember the stories now, of course
He was always pleasant and CHEEKY. He
had knack of illustrating his points by
some com parison which was always effective
Everything ne said had meaning in it, and
was expressed so that it would bring its full
meaning home to the most ignorant person.
He was-if l can use such an expression-the
most illustrative man | ever met in my life
He could illustrate by a jest or little anec-
dote, which would have volume of signif-
cance."
''Puritanicalp' exclaimed the gentleman
who was now half Mr.. Raymond and half
Major Bob, as he turned around from the
mirror at suggestion of the reporter that
some people thought Mr. Lincoln austere and
puritanical. "There was nothing of the kind
in him. He loved life and its innocent pleas
ures. He was one of the most liberal and at
the same time most thorough men in every
respect. He was splendid company and al
ways jolly and pleasant on the stage. He
was interested in everything he saw, and al
ways had kind word for everybody. He was
friendly with all the actors l think he used
to entertain Hackett at the White House.
He was warm patron of the theater, and
seemed to love it. When he came down it
always seemed to me that he wanted to get
away and be alone. He would sit i'll his box
often when the audience had no suspicion
that he was there"