The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-08-09
ACTED SARAH BERNHARDT's PART.
A Village Girl Who Surprised the Crest
Actress and Convinced Herself.

Sarah Bernhardt on one occasion
came face to face with a born actress
of whom the world has never heard,
but who appears to have been both in
appearance and manner strikingly like
the famous French actress, says the
N. Y. Herald. On her way home from
long tour Sarah stopped one day at
little seacoast village in the south OF
Europe and the fancy seized her to
give a performance of "Ruy Bias"
there. She was told that there was
no theater in the village and that, ,even
if there were, the shepherds and hus-
bandAlen, who were the only residents
of the district, were too poor to pay
even trifing sum for admission, but
her only reply was that temporary
stage must be erected in any a1 ailable
building, and that since the villagers
could not afford to pay for the privi-
lege of seeing and hearing her act,
she would not only admit them free OF
charge, but would give to everyone
after the performance gold piece as
souvenir of her visit Her orders
were carried out to the letter. A barn
like building was rented for the even
| ing, stage was erected, one corner
was draped off as dressing room, and
in this room Sarah was being attired
by her maid when suddenly the cur
| tain was pushed aside and tall, poor
ly 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
extraordinary request, but l have
| good reason for asking it. / believe
| that l have great dramatic talent and
| I desire to find out this evening wheth-
| er I 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, madam.
and 1 will be eternally grateful to
you."
Sarah pondered mirute 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 a
poor villager, stepped on the stage and
at once revealed herself as a great
actress. True, she was ignorant of the
most ordinary rules of the stage. but
Sarah, watching her from the back
ground, noted not her ignorance in
this respect, so amazed was she at the
tenderness, intensity, and splendid
power exhibited by this unknown vii
lage maiden. Sarah, Sarah!" shouted
the delighted audience, and the plaud-
its ever Increased until the girl, who
at that moment seemed an embodi-
ment of the renowned actress, had
acted her part and retired amid 8
shower of flowers.
"You are a wonderful actress, my
DEAR" was Sarah's greeting, "and in
tend to take you with me-"
"Pardon. madam" was the reply
"but it is II O'Clock already and must
hurry home or nv father will be un'
5 easy" And as She put off her ricl
robe and put on her sla abby old dres:
4 she continued: "Yes, / will nevel
e leave home again; wanted to tinC
q out whether l was a great actress lik'
: YOU or not, and I know now that l am
a For me that knowledge is enough.
know that you are feted and honored
L but for such triumphs ] have no de
S sire. The villagers applauded me to
It night and kings and poets cannot ap
q plaud you more warmly. Besides,
d have duties to perform. My fathe
and brother are sick and must nurs
" them. Moreover, am engaged to tn
u mayors secretary and expect to be
l. come his wife soon. He might refus
e to marry me if he heard of my esca
pade this evening" but there is no on
to tell him. And now good night
madam, and may there be as mue
Q happiness in store for you as knoN
" there is for me-"
a With these words the unknown wen
her way and Sarah did not attempt t
I'd recall her.