The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-15
TIE GLIDER BOOTH ANQ THE PIRATE.
How the TrageGian sayed His Money and
His Life and Made a Friend.

How the Ira geIian Saved His Money and
! His Life and Made Friend.
One night in Louisville number of
people called on Edwin Booth, among
them a doctor of local celebrity, who
wanted to place in his hands valuable
relic that had once belonged to the elder
Booth. He was shown upstairs by a
little darby, who carried something
wrapped up in newspaper 1t proved
to be well preserved skull, Thoroughly
cleaned and the parts joined by springs
and hooks.
The doctor told Us this story OF the
skull, which proved romantic and inter
esting; Many years before Ted's visit the
elder Booth had played an engagement
in NatuheZ, After the closing perform
ance he WAS taken down to the river
with his trunk to wait for the upccnin3
steamboat He fouHl at the saloo2 at
the wharf Il rou%li looking set Of men
who by thelr talk h" decided We're
thieves and rrtthrUats
Booth had $l.C0O in his money belt
and frCn motives OF policy he invited
the rulfE,ni to take several drinks, which
Cnly served to Increase their peculiar
locks IN hlS direction There WAS ~
help near and escape was ont of tn.
question-he would probably have been
followed and murdered.
Selecting the toughest and toughest
man in the crowd. old Booth called him
outside to say few words. "LOok
here" SAID he my name is Booth; I'm
an actor: yen may have heard of me
I've thousand dollars here in Il belt and
I'm afraid of being robbed. want you
to take it and keep it safe for me until
the boat comes along"
The fellow locked earnestly at the old
man, and then reached out for the Ielt.
Booth never expected to see a dollar Of
the mcney again, hat was glad to insure
his personal safety. He slept on table
in the saloon. and was awakened early
by the custodian Of his treasure.
"Grt up" said he; here's your
money. The boats i'll sight" Booth
was thoroughly surprised, but Of course
delighted. "Whai's your name:" lie.
asked; Il always like to remember an
honest mans name" The fellow hes
itated. lowered his voice and answered.:
Its Morrill,; folks call me the chief Of
the river pirates, You trusted me and |
appreciated the rrr;st."
a year later Morrill, was sentenced to
the penitemtipry for life. When Booth
visited NatChez again he visited the
prison and tool: Morrill, some money ana
delicaCies. At the last Of his visits liz.
found the man dying of consumption.
Booth, said he, I've not long to live;
I should die hGppy if had something 10
leave you to remember me by. You
have been good to me and cannot re-
pay you" Booth laughed and said, If
you are set on leaving me legacy, let i,
be your head"
He spoke i'll jest, but the pirate tool; il
in earnest, and on his death it was found
that lie had Wjlled the tragedian lii,
skull. Booth gave it to the doctor in
Louisville to put i'll order, but dying
himself soon af:r" never claimed his
uGluSSt' 4I'V iut siC'du gave IL W lCh.
We used it for Yolicli's skull in Ham
let"
When Oh visit TO his mother in Bal
tinore, she uupaaked Ted's trunk while
he was out. and came across the skull.
Not knowing what it was used for. she
decided to get rid Of it with some other
rubbish. So when Ted came in she told
him how she had thrown that nasty
skull out Of the window, and that II coal
cart, passing by had crushed it into
hundred pieces. interview in New York
Epoch