The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
JOE JEFFERSON MAKES TEST.
Ills IIistrionlo Powers SucccWfuliv Tried
 on . Small Audience.

on . small Audience.
 Two years ago Joseph Jefferson spent short summer vacation as tho guest of an old-time Minneapolis friend at a comparatively unknown resort at one of the lesser Minnesota lakes. General. said the actor to his host one day. my object in coming here was three-fold. First, 1 wanted to meet you again and enjoy your com panionship; second, l needed rest and recreation. and this is good place to secure both; an6 third, l wanted to test my own powers n little.
 Do you know" Mir. Jefferson con. tinued, 'I once felt very certain con- corning my own histrionic abilitlcse We'll, did. When was many years younger was egotistical enough to believe that it didn't make much dif- ference whether had the valuable &C., cessories of fine theater and good scenic effects or not. At any rate was able to handle my audiences about as l wanted to do it, whether played Rip in barn or a frst-class theater. l knew then that the people turned out to see me and not the work of the scene painter. 1 am not sure about it now. l find myself wondering whether I have lost the power of moving the people aside from the associations of a good supporting company and excellent theatrical appointments. I want to before I leave hero. Wal you help me?"
 Nothing could be easier" replied his host. 'We will spend an evening with some friends of mine who do not know you, and l will arrange matters so that you can give them n few selec- tions from Rip I have an acquaint- ance--a well-to-do miller-who lives in a small village about six miles from here. We will drive over there some afternoon thus week and spend the evening. No ono in the place knows you; l will introduce you as Mir. Joseph. an old friend of mine from New York who formerly was an actor. This will give you an opportunity to test your powers upon utter strangers and without any help from scenery or cuPf
 X few evenings later tho Minne- apolis gentleman and his friend. Mir. Joseph" of New York, were seated in the miller's parlor after tea. The con- versation turned upon the stage and the difference between the modern styles of acting and those of half century ago My friend hero did some creditable work in his time. am told" said JefTerson's companion. Have you forgotten all your old tricksP Can't you give us few lines from some of your old plays. or have you entirely forgotten them allPn
 Well, 1 don't know-it's been a great many years since l tried any thing of the sort you know. l don't know whether 1 can remember any of my old lines or not But I'll try 1t If you'll agree not to mako fun of me. H'm. How does it gop Yes-no-ah. yes, have it. Tho line runs like this"
 And Jefferson began reading tho scene between Rip" tho jolly varn- bond, and his scolding wiie The lit- tle audience evidently enjoyed it. as the hearty and almost incessant laughter abundantly testified. Then ''Mr. Joseph" gave Rips" parting with little ''Meenie." The laughter ceased. Then followed the weird scene between Rip" and the dwarfs in the Catskills. At this point the silence in the room had become pain fully oppressive. Every auditor seemed to be holding his breath. The old man paused for moment md then gave the lines describing Rips" re- turn home after his twenty years sleep. As the reading progressed tho silence in tho room was broken, but it was broken only by the sobs of tho miller and his household. There was not the slightest manifestation of ap- plause when Mir. Joseph" abruptly ended his reading and resumed his seat
 As Jefferson and his companion bade their entertainers good night and started upon the homeward trip tho Minnesotian merely said: Well. Joe?' and Mir. Joseph" simply replicd: Il am satistiai V