The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-11
STORIES OF CLEVELAND.
How sack" Stirling Twics STOOD
the President on HIS Head"
Ern,n the Nam Ynrk HsrnId

How Jack" Stirling Twics STOOD
the President on HIS Head"
From the Ne1D York Herald.
There are two incidents in ex-Presideut
Cleveland's life connected with his interest
in the stage Of which the public has never
yet been informed, much as has that gentle
mans private career been spread before his
admirers and his political opponents
l heard them related the other night up
at the Five AS Club, where theatrical peo-
pie of all degrees, from the man who does a
turn in the variety houses to the opera
tenor and the tragic star, are won't to
congregste in summer time. As / was
chatting with an actor who did not pay his
checks but signed them l overheard some
one say In slightly raised voice, as though
1t was the finale 10 a story:
And that's the way Stirling twice stood
Cleveland on his head"
1t was not difficult to learn how Mr. Stir
ling came to do such remarkable thing
and TO insult the dignity Of the leader Of the
Democratic party.
FONDNESS FOR THE STAGE.
AS doubtless nearly every one knows
Mr.. Cleveland has OF late years had a pro-
nounced liking for the theater, aud in con-
sequence quite a circle of personal friends
who are members of "the profession" So
T..
Cleveland that by many actors he is reck-
oned to be one Of the best critics in the
country. He seldom missed an important
first night In Washington, and since he has
lived in New York the same has been true
also.
Francis Earle Stirling, as his name
appears on the bills, or Jack" as he is
known on Broadway, is young comedian
who at present is the "leading man. in Sol
an ha
far west For several years he was with
the late BILLY" Florence, playing juvenile
parts and acting as stage manager for the
star.
READING THE RETURNS.
1t 80 happened that Mr.. Florence and Mr..
Cleveland were great friends, and whenever
that popular and whole-souled actor played
10 the city where Mr.. Cleveland was the
latter never failed to attend the perform
ance.
In the election of 1884, when MIR. Cieve-
land first ran for the presidency, it will be
remembered that he was a resident Of Buff
falo and went there from Albnay TO vote.
Florence was playing 1.-The Mighty Dollar"
In Buffalo on election night The political
excitement ran very high, and the only
way the management could think to keep
the people IN the house was to have wire
run into the theater and place ticker on the
between the acts.
AS stage manager it fell to Mr.. Stirling's
lot to come before the curtain aud read the
slips. All went we'll until the middle OF
| the first act. when Mr.. Cleveland and q
party of state officials came in the stage
| box, The first returns had very strong
republican aspect. In fact, as. Of course
every one remembers, the result was il
! doubt for several days after the election.
When Stirling came out he found himself
within ten feet Of Mr.. Cleveland and giving
! him information which could be anything
but pleasant. The feet that Stirling him
self was a strong Cleveland man did no
serve TO make his task any the more agree
able.
WORSE AND WORSE.
The news kept growing more and NOR
unfavorable each time the actor came out
| Cleveland's face grew dark and thoughtful
Stirling could feel the governor looking a
him as he read out the unwelcome returns
until finally he grew 30 nervous under the DC
spairing but unhiuohing gaze OF the candl
date aud felt o embarrassed by the Worl