Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-28
SALIIE.

great actor by any one. He was ro-
liable man-always gave nm Intelligent
reading Of any part he undertook, but
never seemed TO create In his audience
that intensity Of attention. that creepy
sensation up the back" which comes 10
one when listening to an actor Of great
talent or genius.
Tom was leading man nj the old Hol.
born theater In London some fifteen
years ago. That was before Il was
burned down aud when II was devoted
TO the production OF sensational molo.
dramas. Think 1t was then under the
management OF Clarence Holt, but am
not sure Of this.
Tom played heroes. He was u fine
looking, handsome fellow. and when he
enacted tho part of Jack Tar, and just
ns the Villain with capital V please
was about 10 rush OF with tho sweet
heroine, weighing n hundred and sixty
pounds, after having instructed his
band 10 carry off the treasure and muir.
der the old parents" Tom always
was suro OF q tremendous roar OF up.
plause from the gallery by rushing down
the stage from some unexpected locality.
Bhoutingi "Neyori Unhand the girl,
ruflianl Never shall II be said that "a
British sailor deserted his ship or failed
10 rescue pretty girl In distrcssl' Thon
he would go for the villain and beat him
ind his "dastardly crew" on the stage.
Tom ClarkSon WINS married man
with one little daughter, poor, delicate
little thing Of six years, who worshipcd
her father IN way simply riyaled by
his own alteration. There could not be
many more completely attached families
than Tom Clarksoi, his wife and little
Sallie. 1t was positively beautiful TO SOC
them sometimes when NJ rehearsal Tom
would bring little Sallie "to keep her
out OF harms way" as he snid, "while
the wife Is doing the marketing" II was
question which loved Sallio more, the
father or tho mother. and It was pretty
To notice how the child endoayored 10
share hor fayors equally between them.
So sweet, too, were Sallio's ways and
10 afniablo and loving was she, and 80
patient when all know how she must
suffer at being unable to romp and play
like other children. for her mind was NJ
bright rs star, that every member u
the company down to the ineancst super
and smallest stage hand was In love with
hor and ready 20 go 10 the other end Of
London, or England for that matter. for
the sake Of "Mr. Clarkson's Sallio.n
"our littlg Salle' most Of them called
her, for she seemed 10 belong TO them.
Two years ago, when in London, the
story was told mo by prominent actor
at the Adelphi, who had been u member
Of the Bolborn ut tho time Clarkson was
sin tho lead"
1--WE wore going TO produce 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 al last. Somothing
else excited pleasurable feelings within
his breast. He had obtained u couple Of
dress circle tickets, and his wifo aud our
little Saliie were 10 DO in front to sec the
first performance.
"Tom came down TO tho thoator IN
great spirits. We all knew In n very
short timo what was the matter He
had all sorts of funnylike yarns to tell
about Sallio and her excitement and de.
light ut the idea Of coming to SEQ father
act. He told us fellows In tho dressing
room how sho had put her little arms
around his neck and had insisted upon
giving him tho last kiss before starting
him of TO his work That's for good
luck, father; don't You wipe that OF.
I'm coming to sec you tonight; mind,
you make big hit And Tom laughed
with delight % he initiated tho baby
voice using tho quaint theatrical slang
expressions.
"Tho play was n highly Sensational
one, and Toms big voice and fine figure
had plenty Of opportunity to make CAPT.
tai for themselves. This WAS always n
source OF great fun In tho theater, for
we knew Tom TO bo the most gentle
hearted fellow that ever breathod. As
the saying goes, he wouldn't have hurt
fly. Why, he was tender and kind as
woman, and kinder nurse never
lived. was only playing walking on
parts at the time, but he had always
kind word, gentle suggestion Of advice
for me, and l had been to his little home
in Holloway several timos. He was like
u big elder brother to me. Little Sallio
used TO call me her sweetheart.
tom was dressed quickly that even.
ing and down ON the stage looking
through the peepholo to SEQ his dnrlings
arrive. 1t 10 not always so very easy TO
distinguish people in the front of tho
house from the stage, though, and when
the first act was called Tom had not vet
been able to find them. He knew they
were there, though, aud full of the feel
ing that no was acting for their delight
he did his very best
~ never saw him act so well before.
The manager was heard 10 remark that
lie didn't believe 1t was in him. We
fellow actors knew all about 1t, though,
and whom tho applause came at the end
of the act, and Tom, nervous and ex-
cited, stepped before the curtain. he and