Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1881 — The Elder Booth. [ARTICLE]

The Elder Booth.

The elder Booth was at times the victim of strange fancies. Once he took the fancy to be an absolute vegetarian, and while possessed of this idea be wai' traveling on a Western steamboat, and happened to be placed at table opposite a solemn Quaker, who had been attracted by the eloquent conversation of the great actor. The benevolent old Quaker, observing the lack of viands on Booth’s plate, kindly said: “Friend, shall I not help thee to the breast of this chicken?” “No, I thank you, friend,” replied the actor. “Then shall I not cut thee a slice of the ham?” “No, friend, not any.” “Then thee must take a piece of the mutton; thy plate is empty,” persisted the good old Quaker. “Friend,” said Booth, in those deep, stentorian tones whose volume and power had so often electrified crowded audiences—“friend. I never eat any flesh but human flesh, and I prefer that raw.” The old Quaker was speechless, and his seat was changed to another table at the next meal.