The record-union., 1893-07-22

No man was more generous to those
who played with him than Edwin
Booth. He claimed nothing consciously
for himself in that distribution of place
his part did not demand At the hight of
his active career he was playing an en-
gagement with a Western star, and he re-
lluqulsheo his repertory that he might
include hers. Together they played such
plays as The Stranger and Claude
Melnotte." No greater test of Booths
amiability could be offered that that of
part. He had chronic inability to re-
member the long speech in which Claude
Melnotte describes his palace on Lake
Como.
LET me play with my back to the audi
ence," he would plead, $50 you can
prompt me when | stick"
50, exchanging. the proud position
which IS the delight Of most actors, he
would half kneel with his back to the
tootlights and wander through the
palatlal grounds. Nor did he disdain
little humor on the stage. In the old dis
cusslon as TO the propriety OF its feelings
or Its stimulation on the stage in the
dressing room the supporting actress
SAID: Tonight am going to make Mr..
Booth cry" Mr.. Booth quickly took up
the gage. The play was 1.-The Stranger"
and Mrs. Halter gave to her part all the
pathos that was in it, knowing that she
could trust to the emotion OF Booths
nature, and succeeded in starting the
tears coming down his face. This was
triumph, but the next night revenL ed,
for Booth painted Petruchio's mustache
so skillfully that it left its trace on
katherine's cheek, a piece of humor he
enjoyed like schoolboy.
SAVED ROBERT LINCoLN's LIFE.
l
gentleman by Mr.. Booth some time ago,
and had never, until then, been pub
lished: In the summer of 1877 Mr.. Booth
was standing on railroad platform
waiting for a train. He noticed a gentle
man standing near him, apparently with
the same object, and saw that he seemed
engrOSsed in his own meditation. Pres
emily the gentleman stepped from the
platform to a track, and began walking
upon it, entirely Obvious to his sur
roupdings. Just at this moment an en-
CINE which had been getting water from
tank near at hand began backing up
the track. Mr.. Booth, turning round, saw
it only when it was within few feet of
his absent-minded companion. On the
impulse of the moment, without attempt
ing to rouse the man to a sense OF his
danger-there was not time for this-Mr.
Booth stepped forward, and, cIutching
him by the arm, lifted him almost bodily
upon the platform. So near was the en-
CINE that it struck the mans heels as they
left the track. The rescued gentleman
was so overcome when he realized his
danger that he could only bow his thanks
and give his hand to his preserver. 1t
happened that Mr. Ford, in whose the
alter in Washington President Lincoln
was assassinated by Mr.. Booths brother,
witnessed the scenes described above.
Stepping forward he said excitedly:
mir. Booth, do you know who that
man wasp
NO" was the reply.
at was" said Mr.. Ford, Robert Lin
coln-President Linooln's SON."
Mr.. Booth atterWard said that this act
Of his gave him more satisfaction than
could be represented in any other way.
In relating this Booth mentioned the fact
that the only vote which he ever cast was
tor Mr.. Lincoln when he ran tor Presi-
dent the second time.
One who frequently played with Booth
says that gentle incidence so completely
bound Edwin Booth that it was almost
always necessary to give him the note of
action. Atterward it was like feeling the
proud spirited animal quivering beneath
the bride rein as scene moved on to
scene, until both players were swept be-
yond all conscious effort in the fire and
action OF their parts. The rare delight of
playing with this quickly responsive
soul, and Of drawing from the depths of
emotion which flooded his own soul and
which Booth so generously gave forth,
will always dwell with those who have
experienced it.
LEARNED MEN DISAPPOINTED IN HIM,
Edwin Booth was always conscious
that his appearance imposed upon him a
scholarly appearance. This was one OF
the occasions ofhis avoidance of strangers.
They expect too much of Inc, " he would
say to his intimates, land | have moth
ing to give them" lie used to tell of the
disappointment of professors and learned
men, who, having appointments to meet
him, could not conceal their disappoint-
lnent at finding he had nothing of i'm
portance to say. Once in Boston Booth
was invited to dinner by woman of the
illuminate, who exhausted herself in try
ing to bring out of Booth the words of
wit and wisdom she manitestly expected
to find. Having tried him on a number
Of pressing subjects her temper gave way.
MIR. Booth" she said, lin one respect
you are unlike my husband, for you do
know when not to speak, and he don't. -
This story Booth used to tell on him
self with great glee, accepting the intim-
alton that he did not talk because he had
nothing to say. When among strangers
he admitted to posing because, as he said.
signedly avoided the public and hurried
to get away to his pipe with his coat Oft.
This is not to say that Booth had not
| the qualities of an Intellectual man. He
loved reading, but must be read to: he
loved discussion, but only to listen to it.
With his pipe in his mouth, Booth would
listen to others talk for hours and with
out uttering a word. No gentler but more
resistless hands were ever laid upon a
man to bind his limbs and charm his
faculties to inaction than those laid on
Booth by his pipe. When Booth was con-
templating his second marriage a friend
asked: But suppose Mary does not like
your piper"
81 can't give up my, pipe" answered
Booth, with a smile. He could not give
up his pipe, which rarely lett his mouth,
and his pipe. which cut short his active
career, has just finished its work.
y Boston jeweler, who had occasion
from time to time to manufacture jewels
for Mr.. Booth to be worn in different
characters, says he was extremely con-
Scientious in having them made not only
of the best material but as near as possi-
BILE historically correct. In having a
costly crown Of gold and precious stones
made for the character OF Richard Ill.
he sent to London to get the correct
design; so in the jewels for the character
Of kchelieu he took great pains to con-
suit the best authorities. 1t did not satisfy
him to be told that the real could not be
distinguished from the imitation on the
stage, hence he bought the cOstliest laces
and materials for his costumes.
For the RECoRD-UNION.l
JUBILEE DE POPEUM ROMA.