The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-04-20
JOSEPH JEFFERSON.
His Message to the World Expressed
on His Retirement.

On Sunday, October 1G. 1904. the
New York Herald printed an interest.
ing page article called forth by Mr.
Jefferson's announcement of his re,
tirement. This article closed with the
following characteristic express 'ons
by the reverend old gentleman which
he himself declared was his message
to the world:
You have decided, then, Mr. JEFF
fe-son, TO reg ire permanently from
your profession?"
Yes. have quite decided not to
act again professionally"
We'll, that would not bar you. |
suppose from appearing sometimes in
the great cause of charity
That of course, might happen,
yes, that might happen The man who
has STYLED himself star and gathered
enough golden rays to light him to the
end should not refuse his services &c
help those of his craft who are declin
ing in the dark-those, for instance
who are thrown upon the charity of
the actors fund at the close Of their
working days. No emoument is re-
ceiyed under such circumstances by
the player, and so II cannot be called
a professional appearance.
From the stage, therefore, | have
retired permanently"
There was a pause of several sec.
onds as il a prayer were being said IN
the heart. while far off bells were slow
ly sounding-"and the greatest of
these is Charity
And what have you to say of your
art as a whole?"
Il don't know that | can talk large
ly about it just now. For myself
| have always been a reyerent student
of art. She must he served with care
and cons,ancy. for size is Jealous and
will not be sighted, and If she is she
takes a dreadful revenge She must
not be deserted or she repays desert
ers with Oblivion. ! always respected
my art. and ! can Dc no better. per-
haps, than TO ask all men and women
on and off the stage 20 respect il. for
il is human nature aiming at the best.
Il am seven;y-five. you know, and
so. no doubt, am entitled TO be old
and have been little weak of late,
I'll admit that-but. isn't IL funny.
feel as young as a boy? was warned.
you know. not TO tire myself out talk
ing 10 you, and | would not do any
thing to displease the nurse or the
dear ones about M, but ! enjoy all
this-just a little bit excited or warm
I'd mp. but its all right.
I'm leaving the l'meliglt to go IN
20 he sunshine, and leave blessing
behind me and pray for a blessing be-
fore me. Il has been dear t0 mc-jhat
life of illuminated emotion-and 10 has
been so magnificently rapid II I could
send an eloquent message 10 the world
would but somehow words fail me
when | try to say it. have been
doubly repaid by the sympthetic pres
ence OF he people when | was playing
and the affect on that seems 10 follow
me like the sunshine streaming after
man going down fle forest trail that
leads over the hills to the lands of
morning No, ! cant put it In words ="
Then a CLEAN of humor broke across
The wistful face, and he said:
Perhaps it's a good thing 70 qui.
the stage before the people have a
chance to change their minds about
me.
Il belonged TO the stage from birth.
My son Tom is the fifth of the line
of acting Jeffersons from the first who
played with Garr.ck. He's playing Rip
I saw him play it, and he does il very
well-the pathetic parts particularly. /
have had fourteen children and seven
are living, 50 | am every way blessed.
/ have grandchildren and great grand
children But leave my wider fam-