The Washington herald., 1913-09-28
JosEPH JEFFERSON.

When Washington Irving wrote the
sketch Book" which put 800 into his
pocket. and materially aided his fame,
he never thought the tale found among
the papers OF the late Deldrick Knick-
erbocker" would be dramatized by a
Dion Boucicault and enacted by Joseph
Jefferson. linking the three names
through generations to come. Lockhart
declared in Blackwood's that Irving
was one OF our first favorites among the
English writer's. and OF this age, and he
is not a bit the less so for being born
In America" When Irving was intro
duced to Mrs. Siddons. she said: You've
made me weep" George Gordon Byron
was also a great admirer Of Irving.
When speaking OF him he said: God
bless him. he Is a genius; and he has
something better than genius-a heart.
and Joseph Jefferson kept alive the trib-
ute with his masterful portrayal, for
such II was. Of rip Van Winkle," max
ing the famous character and its imper-
sonation household words. What an ir-
reparable loss to the stage when grim
death took him from US. We will never
see IL again. The rustic form, the silvery
voice OF the drunken Dutchman. the
laughter and the moistened eye. tributes
to the art Of impersonation, are in the
great beyond: but their memories. OF Joy
and pathos, keep the picture ever alive.
Joe Jefferson never believed in hurry"
through life, that Is, IL he could help IL.
No reference is intended TO his lengthy
sleep. the awakening from which was the
cause OF so much interest. He was al
ways receiving suggestions verbally and
through the mail as to improvements"
FOR rip Van Wrinkle" He was a good
listener. a thinker, and then would come
forth the same old answer, given many
ffT,aaa "a q a right and
think l must be also-better let well
enough alone" Some one would suggest
in the new order OF stage doings a real
dog. cascades, &c. He would answer
mo" II the suggestor grew more in
sistent. Jefferson would declare il was
'impertinence" and Il will not tolerate
it." He was an enthusiast with the
brush and a patient waiter with the reel
We know what he did with the former;
but only those who had the rare pleas
ure of being one Of the fishing party"
ever knew how many fish really were
drawn of the hook: the good old fishing
yarns, that whiled away many pleasant
hours still linger in the memory.
The little Franklin Theater-it was
only 20 feet wide-that opened its doors to
the New York public in September, 1875,
had the honor OF having on its stage
names that later on became well known
son. then a young lad; William Rufus
Blake. his first appearance in this coun-
try; William Billy" Mitchell. later on
manager Of the Olympic Theater; Bar
ney Williams. also a kidlet. but later on
the well-known Irish comedian who died
at fifty-three years OF age, leaving over
$4,000; the Seftons. Mary Cannon, Al
eXina Fisher, and others. were among
the earles. Jefferson received $50 per
week during the entire season from
Agnes Robertson while performing at the
Winter Garden formerly Burton's
Theater. in New York City. during the
season Of 1880. This beautiful theater
later on passed into the hands OF Jeffer-
son. who filled the position formerly held
by Dion Boucicault II was prosperous,
nightly taxed to OVerfiOwing by large
audiences. ladies often compelled TO stand
to witness the performances. The Tooth
performance OF the original production
of "Our American Cousin" was given at
Laura Keene's Theater in New York.
February j. 1853, Jefferson appearing as
Asa Trenchard. a live Yankee" About
the same time this live Yankee" dram
affixed Dickens home story OF "Oliver
Twist for Matilda (Agnes) Heron. who