Sarah Bernhardt Encountered Series of Failures While Trying to Reward Man Who Befriended Her Family.
Last June Sarah Bernhardt sailed back to Paris after the most successful season she ever had in America. She took her profits with her in gold, too, and nobody should begrudge her the money, for, besides being a great artist, she is a generous soul, and is not chary of passing her good fortune on to others.
The following instance of this spirit of generosity is recorded by the San Francisco Call, and vouched for as authentic by one of The Scrap Book staff who has personal knowledge of the affair:
When Sarah Bernhardt was in the city some years ago she gave a breakfast to some of her friends at the California Hotel. It was served about noon, and there were but three persons present besides herself.
In the midst of the repast a bell-boy knocked at the door and said that there was a man down-stairs who refused to give his card and insisted on coming up to see her.
“Let him come, then,” was her reply.
The bell-boy explained that he had the appearance of a tough-looking tramp and might be crazy.
“Never mind his looks or his clothes, he may be a friend of mine,” was the reply.
In a few minutes a man of about sixty or more entered the room. He was very shabbily dressed, had not shaved for a week, and his shirt-front was well garnished with tobacco-juice.
The instant Bernhardt saw him she gave an exclamation and bounded forward. She threw herself upon his neck and covered his rough face with kisses.