The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1891-03-24
BARRETT'S NOTABLE LIFE.

habits OF l0du5try and ambitlon, added
TO bis natural genius 1t is related that
wnen he was sixteen years old he held
position in dry goods house in Detroit
ana that his brightness brought him
promotion. However it is said that he
early developed taste for the drama,
greatly to the distress Of his worthy pa
rents, and every penny of his spending
money was devoted to the purchase of
tickets admitting him to that theatrical
paradise dedicated to the possession of
the goods Frequently, when bust
ness was dull, he would be found
mounted on dry goods box in the rear
of the store earnestly declaiming passs-
ges which he had heard the night before
at the theatre, and when the labors of
the day were at an end he would re-
hearse, for the benefit of an admiring
audience of fellow clerks, the combat
scene from Orchard Ill.," welding
sangulnary yardstick in lieu of better
weapon. In spite of these theatrical
proclivities the embryo actor might have
settled down to mercantile pursuits for
the remainder of his life, and eventually
developed into staid business man, but
for one little circumstance, which, al
though trivial in its character, really
shaped his future destiny. The "store
walker" of the establishment was unpop-
ular with the boys in the store, and one
| night young BARRETT was initiating his
mannerism to their intense delight when
all at once the laughter suddenly died
away. Turning, the mimic perceived to
his horror that the object of ridicule had
entered the store unpercieved and was a
silent witness of the scene.
''You have evidently mistaken your
vocation, young man" said the irate
store walker, "you should 60 on the
stage"
From that moment he determined to
become an actor. He began on salary
of 81. 80 week. The Herald says:
The night of his first appearance in a
speaking part came at last. The play
was 1.-The French Spy and Barrett was
cast for Murat. He was dead letter per-
feet in his few lines, but when be step
ped upon the stage the dazzle of the
foot-lights, the presence of large audi
ence in front and the novelty of the sit
uation utterly blinded and confused
him. His tongue Glove to the roof OF
his mouth, his limbs trembled, memory
was dead blank and he was finally com
PEELED to retire amid the Kisses and
laughter of the gallery gods without
having uttered word. For the nex
three months he could not speak line
of his parts. and was always pushed of
the stage ir disgrace. Time after time
the irate manager ordered him from tht
premises, but he wouldn't stay dis
charged, and finally he was tolerated a
nuisance that could not be abated. Ii
time, however, he managed the stag
fright and joined small travelling com
pany that played throughout this Stat,
and finally collapsed at New Castle, Pa
leaving the members penniless.
He made western tour, and in small
Ohio town the newspaper ridiculed hi
performance unscathingly. This rid
cule angered him so that he could no
) restrain the tears, and then and there b
formed resolution ito win from rebel
lious fame and from unwilling critic
a complete vindication of his abilitie
/ against the merely censorious." B
(. went to Philadelphia, Boston and othe
! places, and during all the years devote
his entire spare time to the study of th
q great characters of Richlieu, Lear, Han
d let, Cassius and Richard Ill. His gres
> success was in the impersOnation
g Cassius and it is with that lean an
@ hungry Roman his name is inseparabl
y linked.
= Mr. BARRETT was not only great act'
;. but was successful manager as wei
g and in his celebrated engagement wit
g EDWIN Booth he was the manage
- In his private life be was genis
70 refined and attractive. His hon
ID was happy one, and neither his wi
a. or children were connected with the pr
70 fession which he honored. No man b
~ lived who has exerted more elevatil
RS influence upon the stage than LAwREN
re BARRETT, who had in his brilliant care
SO delighted and instructed millions al
70 driven carking care from many a wea
of heart. Concluding an appreciate
to sketch Of Mr.. BARRETT, the New 70
as as Herald says:
~ "No actor has deserved better of t
.o public, for none other has held to high
no oe purposes, and none has done so much
~ 10 dignity the stage, or advance and bea
:, tify its art. Faithful to the laudal
IN ambition of his youth, true to the i'd
Un ,n of his deep, sympathetic intelligence,
ppd has been at once a servant and patr
;os uu of his art profession, of incalcula
,eS ,es benefit and honor to the stage of t
~, ~ country. To his wisdom. moral TO
ha' and artistic enterprise, as much as
IT, any other influence that can be nam
"a ad is due the high standard of the Amerie
ao- stage in comparison with that of oil
art-serving countries. The knowlet
ol acquired in foreign travel and throu
ia close friendly intercourse with the