Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-24
A CHAT WITH MIR. JEFFERSON.
Reported by n boarding School Girl
with Whom He Took Tea.
FROM fbo Sn-;,yf,Id Ee,ui,Iio,p

with W nom He Took Tea.
From the Springfield Republican.
Not long ago Joseph jefferson took tea
with some girls at boarding school. and sat
by the fire all the evening with them, tell
ing stories. How he laughed when they
asked him if he ever went to boarding
school himself. He said that he was
property baby while still in long clothes,
and had never been to any kind of a
school. What text for an educa ional
discourse! Joseph jefferson never went to
school. Where will you find better cdu-
Gated. more thoroughly informed, clearer
minded, more keenly appreciative man
than he? Then he began to talk about
Schneider, for some one inquired what
had become of the old dog, being sure they
had seen him in years gone by on the
stage, and now he doesn't appear. That
was compliment for his master, who
makes all his audience see Schneider.
Why, we know, every one of us, exactly
how he looks but he has never existed,
except in his masters heart, and our fancy.
he had painted him there.
Mr. jefferson seems to enjoy answering
questions, or if he does not he was very
good-natured about it that evening, for just
a hint would bring out the most interesting
conversation. He spoke of the fact that
in the majority of the artistic professions
glory comes only after the death of the
fame can be eni9yed in this world, and
dies with him. We asked him which he
would prefer and with that rare smile of
his he said, The. world has been very
kind to me, very kind
He talked at great length about Shake
speare and the fact that knowledge of
st !entihc truths is shown in his writings,
which have only been established within
the last centuries, BY reference to Shake
speare he showed that starring is not only
unobjectonable, but absolutely essential to
dramatic success. In all Shakespeare's
dramas one figure stands conSpicuously
above the others in interest. Romeo and
Juliet is the only exception to this, and
there the two characters are SO wholly
one in spirit that they may be considered
unit
1t was on Sunday evening that he was
talking and the subject of Sabbath-break-
ing was suggested. IF l We're a fisher
man. he SAID, Il should never fish on Sun
day, but being actor l rest both
soul and body by fishing. He added that
during his many seasons in countries where
the theaters were all open Sunday he
had never consented to play, although he
believed that in many cases the theater pre-
vented a vast amount of vice on Sunday
night. Aside from all religious considera-
tons he believes that one day of rest in
every seven is necessary for a busy man.
He talked about realism on the stage,
illustrating by reference to many famous
actors, and said there is one law which
ought to govern every artist in regard to
the extent to which he should make use of
little so-called natural acts. such as re-
turning to the stage to pick up handker-
chief left on the table. Nothing should be
done in a play which does not help to de-
Velop either the plot some one character.
Mr.. Jefferson is a man who illutrates this
even in desultory conversation. Every word
of his tells
In spite of his wandering life he evident
ly has very domestic tastes, and speaks
with the grea test pride and affection of his
large family circle and the beauties of his
grandchildren. Well may they be proud
of such grandfather. and if only they
perpetuate his spirit the world will be a
happier place to live in during the next
generation.