National Republican., 1885-09-05
STORIES OF ACTORS.


Irving, Booth, and Ellen Terry-Kean's
Presence Terriiies an Inferior.
[Chicago News
Miss Ida Vernon repeats an amusing in
cident of Mr. Edwin Booths experience In
London some years ago, the story having
been told to her by Mr.. Booth himself. 1t
seems that when Mr. Booth reached Lon
don he was rather coolly received by Mr..
Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theater
people, but after the press and public of
the metropolis had united in testifying to
the genius, talents, and art of the Ameri-
can actor, Mr.. Irving came down from his
high horse and began patronizing Booth
In the most ostentatious manner.
And In the course of time Irving
suggested that Booth and he appear
together IN one Of the Shakesperean plays,
which suggestion was promptly acceded
to by Booth. At the first rehearsal Booth
met Miss Ellen Terry; she was to have
Il part In the piece, and she was dancing ON
and of the stage in the most airy-like man
ncr imaginable. A hammock had been
swung for her in one Of the wings, and into
this hammock she threw herself and lolled
back luXurOusly whenever she felt so dis
posed. While Irving was experimenting
the arranging of certain scenery at the
other cLd of the stage Booth ap-
preached Miss Terry for u friendly chat.
The lissOm creature had dropped into the
hammock and was swaying to and fro, with
one Of her cOzy feet and willowy ankles
skillfully revealed from below n wealth OF
clinging, ilCecy white.
"NOw, do you know, Mr. BOoth,n said
Miss Terry, IN the tone Of a pettcd and
spoiled darling, II just hated you when you
first come TO LondonSn
"Indecd, and why soyn asked Mr.. Booth.
"Because,n replied Miss Terry, pointing
both hands In the direction of Mr.. Irving
and choking up with emotion; "bccause
thought you had come to dcthronc my
god!n
This reminds us of story that is told Of
Mrs. Charles Kean, 1t is narrated that in
the course of the performance of Il Shakes
pCarean tragedy one of the supernume-
raries delivered his few lines SO awkwardly
that Kean was thrown completely out Of
plumb and could hardly finish the scene 50
violent was his chagrin. The supernumG-
rary was peremptorily discharged, but ON
the following morning his wife, accom-
panied by their eight small children, called
upon Mrs Kean for the purpose Of begging
her TO use her influence to secure the rein
statement of the offender. With tears in
her eyes the poor wife pleaded for compass
sion. She assured Mrs Kean. that her hus-
band had played the part many time be-
fore with the most famous actors Of Eng
land and that his services had always been
acceptable,
"But,n continued the weeping woman,
she was appalled, by Mr.. Kean's presence,
and he was so dumbfOunded and electrified
| by the surprising grandeur of Mr.. Kean's
| genius, that he forgot himself, forgot his
! lines, and caused distressing hitch. Surely
/ he should be forgiven for this tribute to MIR.
| Kean's greatncssm
Mrs. Kcan was not insensible TO this
subtle ilatteTy; It may have been that she
was deeply touched, too, hy the weeping
wOman's appeals,
"Charles may forgive yOu-mlnd you,
say Charles may forgive you, butt aud
here she drew herself up to her full height
and holding one hand aloft pointed tht
index finger skyward while her voice sanh
10 a melodramatic whisper, but will liz
forgiven