Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-06-07
TOOK BERNHARDrs PLACE.
Gauxy Story Of a Woman Who Resem.
bled the Divine Sarah So Closely as TO
Fool an Audience.

Gdu<y Story or woman Who HcSeWs
bted the Divine Sarah So Closely as 10
Fool an Audience.
Sarah Bernhardt on one occasion came
face TO face with born actress OF whom
the world had never heard, but who ap-
pears to have been both in appearance and
manner strikingly like the famous French
actress. On her way home from long
tour Sarah stopped one day at little
seacoast village in the south Of Europe,
and the frenzy seized her to give per-
formance of "Ruy Bias" there. She was
told that there was no theater in the vii
lage, and that, even if there were. the
shepherds and husbandmen, who we're the
only residents of the district, were too
poor to pay even triaing sum for ad-
mission, but her only reply was that a
temporary stage must be erected in any
available building, and that, since the
villagers could not afford to pay for the
privilege of seeing and hearing her act,
she would not only admit them free of
charge, but would give to every one after
the performance gold piece as souve-
mir of her visit. Her orders were carried
out to the letter. A barn-like building
was rented for the evening, a stage was
erected, one corner was draped of as a
dressing.room, and in the room was
Sarah who was being attired by her maid,
when suddenly the curtain was pushed
aside and tall, poorly dressed, pale
faced girl entered.
MADAM" she said to Sarah, "will you
permit me TO take your place on the
stage this evening? This is an extraordi-
nary request, but | have good reason
for asking it. ] believe that have
great dramatic talent, and desire to find
out this evening whether / am vain
fool or born actress. know all your
roles by heart, and you may rest assured
that / will not break down. Grant me
this favor, madame, and ! will be eter-
nally greatful to you"
Sarah pondered a minute or two and
then said, brusquely: "All right You
may take my place. My maid will dress
YOU"
The girl, who was the daughter OF
poor villager, stepped on the stage and
at once revealed herself as a great ac-
tress. True, she was ignorant Of the
most ordinary rules of the stage, but
Sarah, watching her from the background,
noted not her ignorance in this respect,
so amazed was she at the tenderness, in
tensity and splendid power exhibited by
this unknown village maiden. Sarah,
Sarah :" shouted the delighted audience,
and the pIaudits ever increased until the
girl, who at that moment seemed an en-
bodiment Of the renowned actress, had
acted her part and retired amid shower
of flowers.
"You are wonderful actress, my
DEAR" was Sarah's greeting, "and l in-
tend to take you with me-"
Pardon, Madame" was the reply,
"but it is IL o'clock already. and | must
hurry home or my father will be un-
easy" And, as she put off her rich robe
and put on her shabby old dress, she
continued Eyes, will never leave home
again. wanted to find out whether /
was great actress like you or not, and
know now that | am. For me that
knowledge is enough. ! know that you
are feted and honored, but for such tri-
umphs have no desire. The villagers
appIauded me to night, and Kings and
poets can not applaud you more warmly.
Besides, / have duties TO perform. My
father and brother are sick, and | must
nurse them. Moreover, am engaged 10
the Mayors Secretary, and expect to be-
come his wife soon. He might refuse to
marry me if he heard Of my escapade this
evening, but there is no one to tell him.
And, now, good night, Madame, and may
there be as much happiness in store for
YOU as know there is for me-
With these words the unknown went
her way, and Sarah did not attempt to
recall her. Arguments she knew would
be useless. If the girl was really great
actress she would remain faithful to her
art in spite Of all ties and and duties, and
if she was not a really great actress it
would be wrong TO tempt her away from
the happy domestic life which was eyi-
IDENTIFY in store for her. So Sarah reason
ed. and since the memorable night she
has enjoyed many triumphs, while Of the
girl who one night, at least, proved her
self almost, if not quite, as great an ac-
tress as Sarah Bernhardt, the world has
heard nothing-New York Herald
Like a Good Conundr1tm.