Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-24
BOLD BEN'S BONNY BRIDE.
MAD MANAGERS ROBBED OF A
BEAUTIFUL DEBUTANTE.

Rule the White House.
CorresDondenee of the Morning Meas.
NEW YORK, Aug. 22.-Festive Ben
Buffers caperings in the courts OF Venus
have been crowned with as much glory
as his career in the world of politics.
Ben long ago won a name for gallantry
toward the fair sex which has been whis-
pered in every part of the continent. 1t
is doubtful whether the Hon. Thomas
Ochlltree even has been more successful
in his posings before the fair sex than the
hero of Tewksbury. Ben's coup d. etdt
in the realm of love, however, was con-
summated at Cincinnati, in 1913, when he
captured, almost on the night of her
debut, debutante whose beauty set the
city beside itself, and filed a fashionable
theatre from pit to dome nightly. Ben
was in those days rising young lawyer
of %, who had already laid the foundation
for the legal reputation which he now
finds so pecuniarily advantageous. When
Ben landed in the city he found it
in a state of curiosity over the unprece-
denied boldness with which a couple
of lately arrived metropolitan managers
had advertised the opening of a new
theatre. Flaming posters and handbills
confronted people in every direction in
which they turned. They had never seen
the equal before. 1t took their breath
away, and coupled with the announce
ment was a statement that a lady second
to none in the country for her beauty had
been engaged by the management. This
so aroused their curiosity that when the
opening night came the theatre was lit
orally packed with people. Bold Ben
had caught the fever and was there with
the rest. He had one of the boxes on the
right of the stage. The curtain finally
rolled up. There was a hush of expec-
fancy. Some minor actors and actresses
appeared. They were given faint APP
plause. Finally a handsome lady ap-
peared on the stage. She was dressed
in a flowing robe of white satin
that melted away in soft wayelets
from the white throat. A black ribbon
fastened to one shoulder heightened the
effect. For moment there was intense
silence. The young actress-it was her
first ppearance-kept silent for a mo-
ment gazing at the thousands before her.
Somebody began to applaud. ''Bold Ben"
has often been given the credit for start
ing the applause. Then it came thick
and fast with a mighty roar. The vast
audience rose in their seats and cheered.
A shower of bouquets was flung at the
feet of the young debutante. Finally,
when the applause had decreased some
what, she sang. Her pure, innocent young
voice sWelled high and clear and pene-
trated the farthest corners of the theatre.
When she finished she was encored re-
peatedly. When the performance was
over Butler walked to his hotel where he
was stopping like one in dream. The
beauty of the young actress had made a
deep impression on him. He determined
to become acquainted with her. He sought
for and obtained an introduction to one of
the managers, who in turn introduced him
to Miss Hildreth, which was the name by
which the young actress was known to
the public. She was the only and petted
daughter of highly respected Episcopal
liam minister of Cincinnati. She had re-
ceived a thorough education, and had be-
come stage-struck. When she announced
her determination to 60 on the stage, her
father pleaded with her to relinquish the
idea. The little coaXer, by tree use of
kisses and embraces, however, caused her
father to give his consent to her becoming
an actress. For two weeks Ben nightly
occupied box in the theatre. He would
come in in time to see her act, and then
take his departure. One night Ben waited
until the curtain was rung down. He
then made his way behind the scenes, as
he was permitted t0dOb by the management.
He met Miss Hildreth as she was about
leaving the theatre. He requested few
moments conversation. They retired to
a dressing room near by, where he went
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 bold and dashing young
man had won the heart of the young
actress. The next day he called On her
father. He told him that he loved his
daughter The old gentleman, although
at first surprised, was greatly pleased,
especially when he found Ben was a ris-
ing young lawyer. The marriage took
place almost Immediately, as young
Butler was anxious to return home. The
actress managers when they heard the
news were wild. They lost the biggest
card they had. When Miss Hildreth
became Mrs. Butler she left them in the
lurch. Mrs. Butler always proved a kind
and loving wife. Her death, which
occurred several years ago, was severely
felt by the General. During her illness
he had palatial quarters fitted up for her
in the Massachusetts General Hospital.
The best surgeons and physicians in this
country and in Europe were secured, but
without avail.
CATHARINE LEWIS 'MASHES."
Catharine Lewis 'mashes" in New
h. y
ago, were beyond computation by any
mathematician. Americans are proven
bially fond Of the antique just at present,
and it may not be surprising therefore
that Miss Lewis, who is now at Spanish
Fort, New Orleans, heading ''The Beggar
Student Opera Company" has once again
bloomed into an actress of considerable
prominence. Like most actresses who
have an appendage in the shape
Of a husband, Miss Lewis mari
tai relations are not particularly
blissful. The husband Of Miss Lewis is
Alfred Arfwedson, who is a direct
descendant of a noble Welsh family.
Through marrying Miss Lewis, who was
a comic opera singer in London, Mr.. ART
wedson incurred the displeasure of his
family to the extent OF being disinherited.
But for this the Maynard young man
cared nothing, as his regard for his wife
was such that he willingly gave up the
pleasures of fortune for that of his hearts
captOr. Miss Lewis, too, for a time,
seemed willing and ready to appreciate
the position in which she had placed her
husband, and gladly accepted him as her
manager, and while in that capacity
everything flourished. MIR. Arfwedson
being of decidedly happy tendencies was,
through the opportunities which the posi-
ton of manager offered, led to perhaps a
little excess, but was III course, neverthe-
less, anxious Tor his wife's success.
WI III Unis end in view he unfortunately
secured the services of a decidedly
manly property-man. Mr.. ArfWedson
was retired from the company. Since
then the bOnny Kate has met with unva-
rying misfortune. While playing at New
Orleans she became the object of adora-
ton of a certain young man about town
who was reputed to be worth his hum
dreds of thousands. He lavished on her
all the attentions and favors that money
could procure, and backed this up with
an offer of $4,000 for a starring tour OF
forty weeks of comic opera. On learning
of her good fortune Miss Lewis not only
took on a very aggressive air with her
manager but became an object of much
affection with the company, and for a
week or two ruled things with high
hand. But her lofty aspirations were
destined to fall. The young gentleman
who had promised so much had been
sufficiently indiscreet to attract the at
tention of his parents in the matter, and
they at once set out to look
for the manager Of the company
with a view of dissuading Miss Lewis
from her project. Her manager promised
to do all that lay III bis power to prevent
the scheme, and accordingly sought an
interview with Miss Lewis. When she
learned the purport on the interview, she
became excessively angry, and promptly
reminded her manager tnat ne was
operating out of his line, and 1urther,
more, that if he did not desist Sic W0ulu