The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-17
BEN F. BUFFERS WIFE.
A ROMANCE HE GENERAL DID
NOT PUT IN HIS BOOK.


Of that most remarkable life history, the
autobiography Of the Hon. Benjamin F.
Butler, there has been not a single mention
of one of the most interesting episodes in the
famous politicians varied career. His own
pen even has not dealt with it, because, per-
haps, it is the most cherished event in q
past that is held sacred by him. Yet It Is,
after all, the one softening romance in
Gen. Buffers life in which the s.orms
have far exceeded the Gains. Those who
know the old war horse, who have been
under the spell Of his elouuence, who
have felt the fervor of his invective
or the keeuness of his satire;
who have watched him in angry debate or
in crafty legal argument, will be surprised
most Of all to know that Gen. Butler once
enjoyed the romance that is commonly
attributed to sentimental fedglings only
We read much OF the stern labor of his
younger years; his tndomitable pluck, his
struggle through poverty and obscurity to
gain his education, and his combats with
prejudice and influence to gain recognition
and power But we read little or nothing
st all of his young man fancies Of
q tenderer nature. There is no hint
that he was ever lover, nothing
TO indicate that the ambitious and
grim young lawyer ever pleaded his own
cause before q judge with cherry lips.
cheeks Of down and melting eyes. Surely,
since all the world loves a lover, Gen, But
Ter may well have told US the story of his
first and Only romance-the romanc e that
brought to him years OF happiness and
children to tighten his hours, and was ONLY
ended by death. There have beea hundreds
of romances just like it, but far more less
joyous in their results. Gen. Butler married
an actress. This era of play-goers, with its
score OF famous favorites OK the footlights,
has probably never heard of Sarah Hill
dreth. Yet she was in her day an actress
of note. Surrounded by admirers, high in
social favor-a rare distinction for any
player in that prejudiced Understanding
in person and brilliant in intellect. Sarah
Hildreth may we'll have claimed homage
from impressionable young men. She was
the daughter Of Dr. Hildreth, reputable
physician then practicing in the city
Of Lowell, Mass, for so many years
Gen. Buffers home and the scene of his
most famous political triumphs.
STORY OF A DEBUT.
Sarah Hildretb was carefully educa ed in
her native city, and doubtless her acquaint-
ance with the theater was extremely lin
tied during her girlhood. But that did not
prevent her from becoming enamored of
came to her an opportunity to realize her
fondest dreams. Visiting relatives in
Brooklyn, she was easily enabled to put her
purpose to the test. She at once placed her
self under the tuition of that admirable
actress and lovely woman, Mrs. Vernon,
who found in her handsome young pupil res
markably promising material. The course
Of study for the stage in those days was not
too long. On Aug. 10, 1887, Sarah Hill
drath hOlIbtlaSG n tha Of
friends in quiet Lowell, made her
debut on the professional stage,
coming forth, moreover, not a
minor actress, but as full-fedged
star" The scene OF her essay was the
historic Park theAter in this city, the first
house and the most famous of that name,
and the play was THE Wife," Sheridan
Knowles powerful story of intrigue, in
which the fair young debutante appeared as
Mariana" The occasion was benefit to
W. ID. Chippendale, who, oddly enough, is
the only surviving member of that memora-
be cast. The hero, Pierre" was acted by
Charles K. Mason, then noted leading man.
Sarah Hildreth's success was instantaneous.
The house was brilliantly crowded, and its
auditors were disposed TO be critical for
star debutantes in those days were not re-
garded with strong favor, the popular
theory holding that they should rise from
the ranks, after years of preparatory serv-
ice But the gentle grace and refined
beauty of Sarah Hildreth won the sevecest
OF her critics. Her ladyllke demeanor, her
intelligent co1ntenaace, her modest cos
tune all spoke volumes in her favor. At
first it was observed that her elocution was
somewhat marred by lack of expression
and variety. and that her manner was not
quite animated enough in the more forceful
scenes Of the play; but on the whole her
debut was marked by success. and that sue
cess made Of the Lowell physicians daugh-
ter an actress destined to charm thousands
Of American play-goers before she should
capitulate to the fierce wooing of Benjamin
F. Butler.
HER STAGE CAREER.
Offers came to her at once from numerous
shrewd managers. The stock Company sys-
tenn then ruled, and among the southern
managers who had Just visited New York
in search of budding talent was William
Abbott, who owned thenters in Charleston
and Columbia, s. G. Mr.. Abbott engaged Miss
hlldreth for his company, which alternated
between the two cities, and during that
winter, also, she appeared in Savannah.
subsequently she played in several cities
In North Carolina and Virginia, after
which she returned to New York. In 1842,
having then gained an envlable repute
as a conscientious, powerful actress, and an
estlmable. refined woman, Sarah H;ldreth
became the leading lady in the stock COM
pany at the old Park theater, this city.
Oh the same boards, which five years
earlier she had trod in fear aud trembling
she now came forth crowned with the
aures OF public favor, and at the head of a
company of players brilliant in every
respect. Around her we're gathered Will
lam Il. Burton, the famous Toodles; Thomas
parry, the best stage manager of his day;
henry Placlde. rare comedian and jolly fell
low; Carson w. Clarke, Henry Bethany.
MIS-. Vernon (her old preceptressl, Mrs.
4nomas Barry 1.-THE first, and a dozen
S91ners equally noted, and all dead and gone
!ohg ago. This engagement may be re-
saraed as the turning point in Sarah Hill
ureth,s stage career. Her talents, it was
soon discovered, were overshadowed by the
ripper ones OF those by whom she was sur
tmJp1nded. Her opening performance was as
hosallnd" in "As You Like 1t" but there
was brave "Orlando' to command much of
.he applause, and Jacques" whose cynic-
Ism drew all the laughter, so that ROSA
una was somehow a lesser figure in the
pay. The result was a surprise and
:. sorrow to the young actress friends, but
~ ~ was not uncommon outcome. Miss
liiureths engagement at the Park was cut
SSa,ort, probably by herself and before
oS of that year she had accepted an
ouer OF the "leads" in the stock company
~ the old National, Cincinnati. then under
.as management of the same Chippendale,
~ ~ whose benefit she had made her debut.
auele she remained three months. during
"Iich time she played as a star in Louis