The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1891-10-13
THE ELDER BOOTH AND THE PIRATE.
How the Tragedian Saved His Money and
His Life and Made a Friend.

How the Tragedian Saved His Money and
His Life and Made a Friend.
One night in Louisville a number of
people called on Edwin Booth, among
them a doctor of local celebrity, who
wanted to place in his hands a valuable
relic that had once belonged to the elder
Booth. He was shown upstairs by a
little darby, who carried something
wrapped up in a newspaper. 1t proved
to be a 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 Natchez. After the closing perform
ance he was taken down to the river
with his trunk to wait for the upcoming
steamboat. He found at the saloon at
the wharf a rough looking set of men
who by their talk he decided were
thieves and cutthroats.
Booth had 81 900 in his money belt,
and from motives of policy he invited
the rufians to take several drinks, which
only served to increase their peculiar
looks in his direction. There was no
help near and escape was ont Of the
questionable would probably have been
followed and murdered.
Selecting the toughest and toughest
man in the crowd, old Booth called him
outside to say a few words. "Look
here" said he, "1ny name is Booth; I'm
ar actor; you may have heard Of me.
I've a thousand dollars here in a 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 looked earnestly at the old
man, and then reached out for the belt.
Booth never expected to see a dollar of
the money again, but was glad to insure
his personal safety. He slept on a table
in the saloon, and was awakened early
by the custodian of his treasure.
"Get up" said he; there's your
money The boats in sight" Booth
was thoroughly surprised, but of course
delighted. whats your nane?" he
asked; Il always like to remember an
honest mans name" The fellow hes
itated, lowered. his voice and answered:
"It's Morrill,; folks call me the chief OF
IiIO 11NC4 Pilates. 4Cu u uSGCu LI0 Ill j
appreciated the trust"
A year later Morrill, was sentenced TIC
the p~enitentiary for life. When Booth
visited Natchez again he visited the
prison and took Morrill, some money and
delicacies. At the last q his visits he
found the man dying of consumption.
Booth" said he, I've not long to live;
| should die happy if | had something to
leave you to remember me by. You
have been good to me and | cannot re-
pay YOU" Booth laughed and said, "It
you are set on leaving me a legacy, let it
be your head"
He spoke in jest, but the pirate took it
in earnest, and on his death it was found
that he had willed the tragedian his
skull. Booth gave it to the doctor in
Louisville to put in order, but dying
himself soon after never claimed his
bequest. The physician gave it to Ted.
We used it for Yorick's skull in "Ham-
let"
When on a visit to his mother in Bal
timore, she unpacked Ted's trunk while
he was out, and came across the skull.
Not knowing whahit 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 a coal
cart, passing by, had crushed it into a
hundred pieces.-Interview in New York
Epoch.