The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-04

-@EES a boy Ia all but born
AL n II IN a theater, when for
IL generations back mis- forbears
Il iWAV mad led the aiiuring life OF the
Il XIV play actor. and when the very
/ playground OF his childhood ID
s.ssy hooks among those strange piles
~ ,Aeztr.rsl properties" which occupy tne
t.. - 81 almost every stage, II IL little WOE
=. .ha, he himself should take kindly %
81 buskln and the mask
Il s,es indeed was the childhood life OF
r...rs Jefferson. the uncromnsd king OF
:. world comedians, or. TO use the more
s,glar phrase. "ihe venerable dean OF the
Zut.scAn stage"
Far four generations back hts forefsthers
a 5esn actors. His grandfather
q. an eminent English player and man
- His grandfather. VINO was born IN
Symsuth In l77s. came to The new world
j when but = years old made his appear
- IA New York on the stage OF the Old
aphn Street theatsr-
i Ia the Same way the father OF this man
nc has immortaliZed rip Van Wiakls."
vas born ia Philadelphia liz 1854. and in his
1us also was esteemed a very excellent
srtS. especially In 'old man parts. IN
s1sIg,on 10 his histrionic ability Joseph
t.srsrson. ST.. possessed a great deal Of
[ar.stc talent. being skIllfui scene paint
z. often in the early days when business
fsss had tie actor would WELD the brush
r. 4 painter OF signs and thereby repenish
5t,s exhausted family Golfers This artistic
la5ai,y was Inherited By his son. VINO has
|kund time 20 produce 4 number OF paint
Ito Tar above rnediocrity.
Tas younger JsfIcrson-our own Jeffer-
Hu Of the genial heart and the merry voice
bias given some charmingiy ingenious
[sampses OF that early theatrical life, with
HIS mingled vlcissitudes. disasters and
PLEASURES
Hpsaking OF his childhood memories, Mr.
Jefferson In his autobiography wh!msicaiiy
|eays Of the theater under whose shadow he
Paused his FIRST years: 1T was a rickety
EsH frame building. with a broad gable
facing on a wide avenue and situated In
|the city OF Washington. TIE door from
|sur back entry opened upon the stage. and
|ss .oddiing little CHAP in a short frock l
|sas allowed full run OF the place So be-
lind the scenes was my first playhouse.
|Ana what playhouse It was. flied with all
exts Of material for the exercise OF my
ysuthful Imagination
ne great actor thus humorously reveals
Asss early influences which decided what
Egaf1 De MS IItufs lllo Work. In tina
Geieiy old Washington theater the youth
al Jefferson played his childish games
among gandily painted scenes OF the bay
y Naples. and a Roman palace, and the
Gsnal tomb OF the Cspulets. and the rob-
bsrs' cave into which old All Bahia used 70
lsg the bags of gold ha had stolen from the
Forty Thiev2s Here. too. he remembers
seeing Fanny Kembie and Tyrone Pow
", the Irish comedian. and many other
great Sstors OF tho time
TAsAa" says Mr.. Jefferson speaking Of
De stage properties amid which be played,
were the kifd OF objects my childish eyes
we're won't 10 look upon. and In this huge
asa dasts tcyshop. made for children OF a
large growth. l got my first experience.
had sesn many rehesrsais and some
tiniss got peep at the play. having been
taken on In arms' as a property child in
frouT OF happy peasantry. Naturally.
Eeresore. ] was stagestruck at an early
Ge. and a. had a theater stocked with
scenery and properties I could Indulge my
passion at a small expense. especially as
~ stock company were volunteers. con-
shifting OF two little boys and their sister.
VAC used TO play with me or Saturdays.