Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-02

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lean play in foreign lands
Mr.. Jefferson used to say that it the fault of
the American public that he did not retire from the
stage. He never played farewell engagement, al
though upon several occasions the managers of the
different theatres in which he acted announced the
engagement as SUCH Mr. Jefferson highly disap-
proved of this and always had it stopped after ex-
posing it.
The only farewell ever made to the American public
by Mr.. Jefferson was through the New York Herald
Sunday, October Is, 1904 in which he told how he
had perfected the play of rip Van Wrinkle" making
the second act all his own and how he had practically
rewritten "The Rivals" to fit modern usage-and had
been accused of sacrilege He then this las
tender message to the world he loved and which
him in return
II am seventy-ive, you know, and so no doubt am
entitled to be old and have been little weak of
late, but-isn't it funny?-I feel as young as boy
Il am leaving the footlights to 60 into the sun
shine, and leave blessing behind me, and pray
for blessing before
"It has been dear to me-that life of Illuminated
emotion-and it has been so magnifcently repaid. If
/ could send an eloquent message to the world 1
would, but somehow words fail me when 1 try to
say it.
II have been doubly repaid by the sympathetic
presence of the people when playing, and the
affection which came to follow me, like the sunshine
streaming after going down the forest trail
that leads the hills the LANDS of morning
mo, can't put it in words
Perhaps it's good thing to quit the stage before
the people have 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 Jefersons from the
first who played with Garr1ck He is playing Rip.
l him play it and he does it mighty well-the pa
thetic parts, particularly.
II have had fourteen children, and living,
SO am in every way blessed have grandchildren
and greatgrandchildren. But leave my wider fam
lily behind me-those who came to me at the thea
re-and have smile and warm thought for them
all
II should like to send them a tender message-bet-
ter expressed anyway. Perhaps you do it better
for
Something chokes me little-here-when think
going to say t-God bless them all!'
At that memorable matinee in Paterson when the
great actor for the last time spoke the well known
lines of Rip neither he his audience realized that
they were being spoken for the last time.
That night the house was again packed with men,
women and children, and when the curtain fell upon
the double bill of "The Cricket on the Hearth" and
Lend Me Five Shillings" Joseph Jefferson had un-
consciously made his last appearance before his be-
loved public.
After the second act of 'The Cricket" in compli-
ance with the enthusiasm of the audience Mr. Jeffer
had responded to their numerous curtain calls
and finally made speech. Removing the torn and
brimless hat in the part of Caleb Plummer, he
shutied in his battered shoes, to the centre of the
stage and in his quaint old fashioned way thanked
the audience for the honor bestowed 1t was Joseph
Jefferson's last speech
Mr.. Jefferson had been invited to supper at tne
Hamilton Club given after the performance by Mr. r..
n Serrett This invitation he obliged to decline,
wishing to return to New York on the 1l:oo train On
this account the waits between the acts were short
ened and before the curtain fairly touched the stage
the actor had removed his white tie and, jumping
from position in the centre of the STAGE he hurried
to the dressing room at the same time taxing OH lne
curly blond wig worn in the part OF Golgnty IN the
farce.
He brushed his hair which still dark and
abundant at seventy-dve, bringing it forward above
his ears as was his custom, while Carl, his valet, at
the same time replaced his evening coat for the one
ordinarily when travelling; and in shorter
space of time than would be deemed possible to the
uninitiated the actor in carriage and his way
to the railroad station, arriving there just in time to