National Republican., 1884-08-30
hold BEN,s BRIDE.
Story OF tho Generals Wooing-How
Ho Carried on the Star Actress in
an Up-Country Theator - Popping
tho 0ueation.
Boston Sunday Times.

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the Question.
Boston Sunday Times.
When Gen. Butler was 90 years of age
he graduated from Waterville college,
Maine. He studied law for two years,
then he was admitted to tho bar. He soon
became famous for his cleverness in OBJ.
tanning acquittals for his clients. In tho
fall of 1S43 he went on visit to Cincin-
natl. When he reached there he found
the sole theme of conversation was the
opening of a new theater. Tho managers
were Dandy Foster, u local celebrity, and
Ned Chippendale, u New York sport and
an old pal of Dandy. They had "billed"
the town extensively. Tho way in which
they advertised astonished tho easy going
"Porkopolitans." They had never seen
anything so extensive. Every ono
was on the .tiptoo of expectation for
the opening night. 1t became known
that lady second to none in the country
for her beauty had been engaged by
the two dashing managers. Ben Butler
became as eager as anybody in town for
glimpse of this famed beauty. The night
came. The house was packed. The vast
auditorium seemed like paradise from
the perfume arising from the scented
costumes of hundreds of well.dressed
ladies and gentlemen. Ben Butler occu-
pied box on the right of the stage. The
curtain finally rolled up. There was
hush of expectancy. Some minor actors
and actresses appeared. They were given
faint applause. Finally handsome lady
appeared on the stago She was dressed
in a flowing robe of whito satin that
melted away in soft wavelets from the
white throat. A black ribbon on one
shoulder Enlightened the effect. For o
moment there was intense silence. The
young actressL-it was hor first appear
ance-kopt silent for moment, gazing
at the thousands before her. Somebody
began to applaud. bold Ben" has often
been given the credit for it. Then 1t camo
thick and fast with mighty roar. The
vast audience rose in their seats and
cheered. A shower of bouquets were
Finally when the applause had decreased
somewhat, she sang. Her pure, innocent
young voice swelled high and clear and
penetrated the furthest corners Of the
theater. When she finished she was
encored repeatedly. When the perform
ance was over young Butler walked to
the Hentrie house, where he was stopping,
like one in a dream. The beauty Of tho
young actress had made deep impress
sion on his mind. He determined to
know her. For this purpose he sought
for and obtained an introduction to Ned
Chippendale, who in turn introduced him
to Miss Hildreth, which was the name Of
the handsome young actress OFF the stage.
She was tho only and petted daughter of
a highly respected Episcopalian minister
in the city. She had received thorough
education, but became stage struck.
l., Iak H., N....
to go on tho stage her fond parent pleaded
with her to relinquish the idea. The
little coaxer by free use Of kisses and
embraces, however, caused her father to
give his consent to her becoming an act
ress. For two weeks young Ben nightly
occupied O box in the theater. He would
come in in time to SEQ her act and then
tako his departure. Onenight Bon waited
until the curtain was rung down. He
then made his way behind the scenes, rs
he was privileged to do by the manage
ment. He met Miss Hildreth as she was
about leaving the thoater. He requested
a few moments conversation. They re-
tired to dressing room near by, where
ho won't down on his knees and made an
ardent profession of his love. Although
they had been acquainted but two weeks
they had already fallen deeply in love with
one another. The handsome and dashing
young man had w0n the heart Of tho
young actress. The next day he called on
her father. He told him in plain, manly
terms he loved his daughter. The old gen.
tleman, although at first surprised. was
greatly pleased, especially when he found
Ben was rising young man. They were
married Immediately, as he was anxious
to return homo, Chippendale and Foster
were wild. They lost tho biggest card
they had. When Miss Hildreth became
Mrs. Butler she left them in tho lurch.
Mrs. Butler always proved kind and
loving wife to her husband. Her death,
which occurred several years ago, was
severely felt by the gallant general.
During hor Illness he had palatisl quar-
tors fitted up for her in tho Massachusetts
general hospital. Tho bost surgeons and
physicians in this and European countries
were secured, but without avail, and her
death was tho bitterest blow tho general
ever received.
II