Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-01-14
SALLIE.

Tom Garrison was not considered a
great actor by any one. He was re-
liable man-always gave an intelligent
reading of any part he undertook, but
never seemed TO create III his audience
that intensity of attention, that creepy
sensation up the back" which comes to
one when listening to an actor OF great
talent or genius.
Tom was leading man at the old Hol-
born theater in London some fifteen
years ago, That was before it was
burned down and when it was devoted
10 the production of sensational melo-
dramas. think it was then under the
management of Clarence Holt, but am
not sure of this.
Tom played heroes. He was fine
looking, handsome 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 hundred and sixty
pounds, after having instructed his
band TO carry off the treasure and muir
der the old parents" Tom always
was sure of a tremendous roar of ap-
plause from the gallery by rushing down
the stage from some unexpected locality.
shouting: Never. Unhand the girl,
ruffianl Never shall it be said that Il
British sailor deserted his ship or failed
to rescue pretty girl in distress'' Then
he would go for the villain and beat him
md Ii, al Nv raur1 Of ba ct,fa
Tom Clarkson was married man
with one little daughter, a poor, delicate
little thing of six years. who worshiped
her father iii way simply rivaled by
his own alteration. There could not be
many more completely attached families
than Tom Clarkson, his wife and little
Sallie. 1t was positively beautiful to see
them sometimes when at rehearsal Tom
would bring little Sallie ''to keep her
out of harms way" as he said, while
the wife is doing the marketing" 1t was
question 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, were Sallie's ways and
SO amiable and loving was she, and SO
patient when all knew how she must
suffer at being unable to romp and 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
London, or England for that matter, for
the sake of Mr.. Clarkson's Sallie."
"Our little Sallie" most of them called
her, for she seemed to belong to them.
Two years ago, when in London, the
story was told me by a prominent actor
at the Adelphi, who had been member
of the Holborn at the time Clarkson was
sin the lead.
eve were going to produce a new
play that night" he said, land 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 pleasurable 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 the
first performance.
"Tom came down to the theater in
great spirits. We all knew in very
short time what was the matter. He
had all sorts of funnylike yarns to tell
about Sallie and her excitement and de-
light at the idea of coming to 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 big hit And Tom laughed
with delight as he initiated the baby
voice using the quaint theatrical slang
expressions.
The play was highly sensational
one, and Toms big voice and fine figure
had plenty of opportunity to make CAPT
tai for themselves. This was always a
source of great fun in the theater, for
we knew Tom to be the most gentle
hearted fellow that ever breathed. As
the saying goes, he wouldn't have hurt
fly. Why, he was tender and kind as
woman, and a kinder nurse never
lived. was only playing walking on
parts at the time, but he had always a
kind word, Il gentle suggestion of advice
for me, and had been TO his little home
in Holloway several times. He was like
big elder brother to me. Little Sallie
used to call me her sweetheart.
"Tom was dressed quickly that even
ing and down on the stage looking
through the peephole to see his darlings
arrive. 1t is not always so very easy to
distinguish people in the front Of the
house from the stage, though, and when
the first act was called Tom had not yet
been able to find them. He knew they
were there, though, and full of the feel
ing that he was acting for their delight
he did his very best.
IL never saw him act so well before
The manager was heard to remark that
he didn't believe it was in him. We
fellow actors knew all about it, though,
and when the applause came at the end
of the act, and Tom, nervous and ex-
cited, stepped before the curtain, he and
we felt sure we could hear above all the
noise the clapping of tiny pair Of
hands in the dress circle, and little
baby voice saying; Look, motheri
There's father, Isn't he beautiful, Oh,
I'm so happyH
BY and by some Of the rest Of the
company began looking through the
peephole for Toms wife and child, but
no one could see them.
Then as the play went on we noticed
that Tom himself was getting anxious.
He had not been able to find them either
and he had begun TO wonder why they
were not there and what had become Of
them. Still hope had not left him. He
felt sure that somewhere in the vast au-
fitorium pair of bright brown eyes
were following his every movement and
he did his very best. though with
somewhat heavy heart.
He had big change in dress to make
before the fifth act, and as he had been
on the stage up to the last moment Of
the fourth he had very little time to
make it in. Therefore he did not get
time to take last peep at the auditorium,
think some kind Of a presentiment
l. L 4