Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-01-12
SALLIE.
An actors story.

Tom Clarkson was not considered a
great actor by any one. He was re-
liable man-aiways gave an intelli-
gent reading OF any part he under
took, but never seemed TO create in
his audience that intensity of atten-
tion, that creepy sensation up the
back which comes to one when lis
tening to an actor of great talent or
genius.
| Tom was leading man at tho old
Holborn Theatre in London some fif-
teen years ago. That was before it
was burned down and when it was de-
voted to the production of sensational
melo-dramas. think it was then un-
der the managemento Of Clarence Holt,
but am not sure of this. Tom played
heroes. He was fine-looking, hand
some fellow, and when he enacted
the part of Jack Tar, and Just as
the Villain with capital V, please)
was about to rush off with
the sweet heroine, weighing a
hundred and sixty pounds, after hav-
! ing instructed his band to carry off
the treasure and murder tho old
"parients, Tom always was sure of
a tremendous roar of applause from
the gallery by rushing down the stage
from some unexpected locality, shout
ing: Neverl Unhand the girl,
rnfflan! Never shall it be said that a
BRITISH sailor deserted his ship or
failed to rescue a pretty girl in dis
tressl" Then he would go for the
villain and beat him and his " das-
tardly crew +" off the stage.
Tom Clarkson was married man
with one little daughter, poor deli
cate little thing OF six years, who
worshipped her father in way simply
rivaled by his own alteration. There
could not be many more completely
attached families than Tom Clarllson,
his wife and little SalIie. 1t was posi-
lively beautiful to see them sometimes
when at rehearsal Tom would bring
little Snllie to keep her out of harm's
way as he said, "while his wife is
doing the marketing" It was a ques-
tion which loved Sallie more, the
father or the mother, and it was pretty
to notice how the child endeavored to
share her faVors equally between
| them.
/ So, sweet. too, wero Sallie's ways
and so amlablo and loving was she,
and SO patient when all knew she
must suffer at being unable to romp
aud play like other children, for her
mind was as bright as a star, that
every member of the company down
to the meanest super and smallest
stage hand was in love with her, and
ready to go TO the other end of Lon
don, or England for that matter, fo1
the sake of Mr.. Clarkson's Sallie. >"
"Our little Sallie" most of them
called her, for she seemed to belong
to them. @ IS ar
Two years ago, when in London,
the story was told to mo by promi.
nent actor, at the Adelphi, who had
| been member of the Holhorn at the
time Clarkson was Gin the lead" AZ
j" We were going to produce q new
| play that night" he said, "and Tom
was in high feather, for he had part
which suited and pleased him, and he
thought his chance had come at last.
Something else excited pleasureablc
feelings within his breast. He had
obtained a couple of dress circle
tickets, and his wife and our little
Sallie were to be in front to see tho
first performance.
1 "Tom camo down to the theatre in
great spirits. We all knew In n very
short timo what Yves the matter HG
had all, sorts OF funny-lilie yarns tc
tell about Sally and her excitement
and delight at the idea of coming tc
see father act. He told us fellows in
the dressing room how she had put
her little arms around his neck and
had insisted upon giving him the last
kiss before starting him off to his
work. That's for good luck, father
don't you wipe that off. I'm coming
to see you tonight; mind, you make
a big hit. And Tom laughed with
delight as he Initiated the baby voice
using the quaint thcatrical slang ex.
pressions;.
The play was highly sensational
| one, and Ton's big voice and fine
figure had plenty OF opportunity to
make capital for themselves. This
the theatre, for we knew Tom to be
the most gentle-hcarted fellow that
ever breathed. As the saying goes.
he wouldn't have hurt fly. Why'
he was tender and kind as a woman
and a kinder nurse never lived. was
only PLAYING walking on Darts at
the time, but he had always kind
word. a gentle suggestion Of advfce
for me and I had been to his little