The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-07-03
NE NET JOE JEFFERSON.


Happy Result Of; Richard MansfieAd's In.
troductios to.ths Famous Comedisn.
Joseph Jefferson and Richard Mans
! field met for the first time recently, ant
the members Of the Twelfth Night club
now reckon events from that time.
1t happened in this way: Mr.. Mans
| field had volunteered to take part at
their recent benefit at the Empire thea
ter, but q few days before the event sent
word that 1t would be impossible for
him to appear. The Twelfth Nighters
do not like to cause any disappoint-
ments, so the young women were thrown
into a great furry. Mr.. Mansfield wa
n Of the strongest cards Of the event.
Miss Beatrice Cameron. who is Mrs.
Mansfield in private life, and who is
also a loyal member Of the Twelfth
Night, was appealed to by her fellow
members and it appears that under her
influence Mr.. Mansfield declared that
he would appear without fail.
1t is conceded, even by his opponents,
that MI. Mansfield has genius. Genius,
too, has its eccentricities, and this may
explain why Mr.. Mansfield, on the very
day of the entertainment, made it
known that he positively would not ap-
pear.
Another reason advanced is that a
comic opera comedian between whom
and him existed an arctic void was OH
the bill, and Mr.. Mansfield felt that he
couldn't consistently appear on the same
stage. But this is mere gossip-folks
will talk, you know.
, Whatever the facts, the leading
Twelfth Nighters who were on the stage
nearly tainted when they heard this
final decision. There sat Mr.. Mansfield
in a box, looking at the performance as
coolly as though he was to have had no
part in it at all. Miss Alice Fischer,
who is the vice president Of the club,
had solne one bring him behind the
scenes.
This was just after Mr.. Jefferson had
contributed his share to the entertain
ment and Mr.. Mansfield had heartily ap-
plauded the dean of the American stage.
Mr.. Mansfield, after leaving his box,
was surrounded by a bevy of young
women, but all their pleadings didn't
have the slightest effect ON him.
Miss Fischer saw this and realized
that some master stroke must be made,
and quickly at that. She caught sight
Of Mr.. Jefferson. Her mind was made
up in an instant. She ran to him.
"Oh, Mr.. Jefferson" said she, do
come with me. l want you and Mr..
Mansfield to meet"
And with a CHEEKY smile the old actor
readily assented. The younger actor was
just tearing himself from an almost
sobbing circle Of women when Miss
Fischer came to save the day. She in
troduced the men.
II AIN charmed to meet you, Mr.. JEFF
ferson, said Mr.. Mansfield, cordially
shaking the hand of Rip Van Wrinkle.
"A like pleasure is mine, 1" said MI.
Jefferson. II have heard much Of your
art, and this will be the first time I
have had an opportunity Of seeing you,
and l have looked forward to it with
the keerest enjoyment"
There was nothing but sincerity in
the speech, and the young women who
had been pleading in vain stood expect
antly to one side awaiting the answer.
Thank you, replied MI. Mansfield.
II trust you will not be disappointed.
And neither was he. 1t is said Rich
ard Mansfield walked on the stage and
gave a brief performance which for bril-
liancy of execution has been seldom, if
over, excelled. New York Herald.