The autobiography of Joseph Jefferson . e, to sing the original song;it ran thus ; and assuming a* comical expressionhe began to sing in an undertone: A traveler stopped at a Avidows gate. At this moment his cue was given, and he rushedupon the stage, discovering Wilford at the scene is here very powerful, and I never sawhim act it with more power. The audience wasmost enthusiastic, and as he rushed from the stageamid a storm of applause he met me at the wing,and, reassuming the comic expression of his face,began the song just where he had left off, while theapprobation of the audie
The autobiography of Joseph Jefferson . e, to sing the original song;it ran thus ; and assuming a* comical expressionhe began to sing in an undertone: A traveler stopped at a Avidows gate. At this moment his cue was given, and he rushedupon the stage, discovering Wilford at the scene is here very powerful, and I never sawhim act it with more power. The audience wasmost enthusiastic, and as he rushed from the stageamid a storm of applause he met me at the wing,and, reassuming the comic expression of his face,began the song just where he had left off, while theapprobation of the audience was still ringing inhis ears. It must not be understood by this that Boothnever became absorbed in his character; on thecontrary, he sometimes carried his intensity inthis respect to an extreme. It is only meant toshow that he had also the power of dropping hischaracter in the midst of his concentration, resum-ing it again at will. Macready had no such facultywhatever. The beam once kicked, the balance wasdestroyed beyond MACREADY AS WILLIAM TELL. OF JOSEPH JEFFERSON 45 In his private character Mr. Booth was simple,unostentatious, and benevolent. I know of aninstance of a curious and somewhat eccentric kind-ness that occurred many years ago in Baltimore. An old and retired actor and manager had beenill for some time, and as he was held in high esteemhis friends arranged for him a complimentary testi-monial at the Holliday Street Theater. Mr. Boothwas at that time manager of another theater, and,unsolicited, tendered a benefit at his establishmentto the same gentleman. The house was crowded,Booth himself acting. After the performance hewent to the box-office, collected the entire receipts,and, late as it was, took them to the house of thebeneficiary, and spreading the money out on thetable said to him, There is your share. But will you not deduct the expenses? saidhis old friend. The only expense incurred, said Booth, hasbeen the bringing of the money to you; but,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectjeffers, bookyear1890
