The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-26
ANECDOTES OF JOE JEFFERSON
The Son Tells Interesting Stories OF
His Eminent Father.

Mr.. Joseph Jefferson, Jr., inherited
great many things from his father
besides his ability to act He bears
strong resemblance to the great actor,
and many of the acquaintance of the
deceased leder who were in the city
yesterday visited Joseph the younger.
and enjoyed his geniality, humor and
good nature, which strkingly remind
ed them of his father. He is an at
tractive gentleman, and became en-
deared both on his own and his faith
er'S account, to many persons here.
AS Mr.. Jefferson sat in the Var
borough House yesterday he recalled
many interesting anecdotes relating to
the life of his father.
1t is interesting to know that of the
company of ten, which presented
THE Rivals" last night six were
members of the company last organ
lied by Mr.. Jefferson the senior Mr..
William Jeffson, Mr.. Joseph jefferson,
Mrs. Joseph efferson, Mr.. John Hack,
Miss Rosa Rand and Mr.. Harry Odlin
were all members that surrounded the
historic Bob Acres" on his last tour
The very clothes worn last nigh by
Mr.. William jefferson were those that
once belonged to his father, while the
whip he carried and the pistols that
trempled in his grasp We're often used
by the greatest of all "Rob Acres"
The battered insk- stand is the
that has been used Tor years in the
play, and the sword which Mr.. Jeffer-
son, cadet, adorns Sir Lucius, was the
same weapon worn by the great Mr..
Florence in the past
In speaking of the wonderful sue
cess achieved by his father, Mr. JEFF
ferson told the story of the Australian
trip in 1861. Not until that time had
pictured show bills been used in that
part of the world, and Mr.. jefferson S
posters created wonderful excitement
He found himself one night at a great
concert camp, where every man was a
ticket of leave" sent out from Eng
land.
The piece was "a Ticket of Leave
Man. and it was with feelings Of
grave apprehension that Mr.. jefferson
wen on to play Never" said Mr.
Jefferson, in speaking of that night
did / receive such close attention.
and never did / play to such an appre-
ciative audience They did not want
me to leave the theatre, and on the
street next day, / could scarcely move
for those who pressed around me to
shake my hand
On an occasion when Rip was be-
ing played in Richmond. Mr.. Edward
V. Valentine. the we'll known sculptor
was on the stage. He was standing in
the flats watching Mr. Jefferson play
the old actor turned and saw him
standing. Without changing his voice
or disturbing the action of the play
rip" added these words to the lines
he was speaking: "My son. get Mr.
Valentine chair.
All Terribly Ratified.
Those who were on the stage at the
time were terribly ratified at the in
novation, but the eminent actor con-
tinued as though he had used only
the words of Mr.. Boucicault
1t WAS in Brooklyn one night that
this incident occurred:
RIP" was being played and Mr.
Joseph Jefferson, cadet was the sailor
lad. "Old Rip" gazing at him. said:
"Aand who are ye?" The sailor lad
whether in fright or in jest. instead of
keeping to his lines, replied rip Van
Winkle.'
mick Vedder," replied the sailor.
again making a mistake.
Tell me who We are?" commanded
the now Infatuated RIP"
Heinrich" answered the sailor, af-
ter some hesitation.
Mr.. Jefferson gaZed at his son for
some seconds, and then detained in
loud voice. and nodding his head to
the audience: HE don't know who
he is
The audience broke into cheers and
almost stopped the performance.