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Show Stories of "Joe' Jefferson Joseph Jefferson had many griefs during the earlier period of his long career. Ills first wife died In 18G1 and this. In connection with the failure fail-ure of his play, "Hip Van Winkle," left him, heartbroken He went to San Francisco and then to Australia. While them he announced his Inlin-Hon Inlin-Hon of putting on a now play, "The Ticket of I-eavo Man." This being the popular designation ot conlcra who had been deported to Australia from Kngland, the Idea was looked upon by tho public (largely ticket of leave men) with groat disapproval Jefferson Jeffer-son was warned, over and over again, that tho result would bo disastrous and that ho would bo mobbed. Stilt he persisted and on tho urn-lng urn-lng of the first production of tho play the theater was crowded with hard characters, ready to do violence to tho players Hut, lo their surprise and gratification the play turned out lo fct one lo which the principal char scter tho tlckot-of leato man, waa a hero Instead of a villain. Tho success suc-cess of tho piece was Immediate and Jefferson was tho Idot ot the town. Jefferson used to tell an Interesting slor) uf how his father and company were rtscued from a distressing predicament pre-dicament in Springfield, III. Arriving there the) used the last ot their funds In building a small theater. There was a religious revival In the town, tho leaders of which not only denounced denounc-ed the players but persuaded tht town council to Imposo a heavy llcenie upon tho "unholy calling." All tho actors woro In despair, when they wcro visited by a young lawjer, who offered, In tho Interest ot fair play, to hao the license feo reduced re-duced He appeared beforo tho council, coun-cil, and In an eloquent speech, filled with logic and pathos and lntorspers eel Hh snt-e dotes which raised roars of liughter. won his point. The Iswn )ar was Abraham Lincoln 1 |