New-York tribune., 1891-05-06
JOE " JEFFERSON MAKES 4 TEST.
From The Chicago Mail.

From The Chicago Mail
Two years ago Joseph Jefferson spent short SUN,
friend at u comparatively unknown resort al one Oh Ie
lesser Minnesota lakes General sara me acgr tSreo ~
fold. Fist, | wanted to meet you again and enjoy
your companionshp second needed rest ana retcd eS
tion and "a good place 10 secure both, ana thIu
wdnIed d 70 fe5 T STh Peterson PGTe Continued 81
felt very certain concerning my histIOnic abilities
Well. did. When was many years younger was was
difference whether had the valuable accessories OF
fine theatre and good scenic efectS or not. AZ any
rate. was able to handle my audiences about as |
wanted to do IT, whether played Rip in barn or a
a frst-class theatre. l knew then THAI the people
turned out to see me and not the WORK oi tie scene
painter. ! am not sure about il now. find myself
wondering whether l have lost the power of moving
the people aside from the assocatias Of good sup
porting company and excellent theatrical appOlh-
nents. l want to test this matter, and neal TO do
it before leave here. viii you help meT awo
Nothing could be easier replied his host. " Wo
will spend an evening with some friends of mine who
do not know you. and will arrange matters 50 that
You can give them few selections nom KIP, 1
have an acuuaintance-a wcll-todO miller-who lives
in a small village about six miles from here We WIZ
The evening No one in the place knows you VIII
introduce YOU as MIR. Joseph an old friend OF mine
will dive Won an opportunity 10 test your powers upon
utter strangers and without any help 1rom scenery or
few evening" later the Mnneapolls gentleman
and his friend, i" Mr. Joseph OF New.York were
lion turned upon the and the difference between
The modern styles of acting and those Of hafcentury
no
hhIs time | am told.' said Jclerson's companion.
Have you forgotten AL your old tricks Cant you
Give ms few lines from some Of your old plays or
have YOU entirely forgotten them all 2"
Well don't hnow-its been great many wears
since tried anything Of the sort, you know don I
know whether | remember any Of my GID lines or
not But III try it II you'll agree not to make fun
of me- HIN How does 1t gol lcs-no-ah, yes, !
have IT, The line rms like this"
And Jefferson began reading the scene between RIP
tho iolly vagabond, and his scOlding wife. The little
audience evidently enjoyed IT, as the hearty ana al
most lUcessant laughter abundanuy testified Then
Mr. Joseph gave RPS parting with H;tc ieenie.
the laughter ceased. Then followed the weird scene
Iety,eu Rlp and the dwarfs IN the Catsh, Al TINS
Doint the silence in the had become painfully
6prrcssve Every auditor seemed 10 be holding MS
breath. The old man paused for momeiH ana men
nve the lines describing Rips return horne after MS
twenty Years sleep. - the reading progressed tle
silence In the room butcn. but il was broken only
bv the sobs Of the miller and his houeholi. There
vas not the slightest manifestation q applause Wien
Mr. Joseph" abruptly ended his reading and resumed
! his seat. ,. -, -, . ..
t.iers Good night and started upon the hOmeward Trip
Tho Mlnnesotan merely said "Wel. Joef' and "Nr
| Josepls simply replied am satisfied"
People out OF work. and those I'm search OF helper,
slould consult the many columns OF little advertise