Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-16

while the fagged-out company of the American,
badly CLEANED by the new establishment, were
on the point Of ending their engagements, and
closing up the house.
4 Nevertheless, on the night of the 26th De-
cember, the American theatre was filed to see
the friendless candidate for popular applause.
A burst Of welcome greeted her entrance, and
then the house subsidized into a state OF nervous
anxiety, such as, perhaps, was never felt before
for a person so entirely unknown. She spoke;
a profound silence followed, which showed that
every mind was working on her merits. She
spoke again, and breath of satisfaction and
relief could be audibly distinguished. Atlength
the progress of the piece brought her to one of
those points which enables her TO show, in
pathos, the deep harmonious music Of the soul ;
and then burst forth cheer that made the
building shake. Suspense was over; she was
received into the innermost appropriations of
her audience, and all concern for her future
success, by those who had assumed the respon-
sbility of an opinion in advance, was lost in an
enthusiasm that knew no bounds Her triumph
was not confined to the front; even the ac-
tresses embraced and kissed her, and she was
equally petted before and behind the curtain.
The next morning the newspapers came out
with one accord, in unstinted praise; all pla-
cling her in the topmost rank OF the profession,
and some claiming that no performance OF
equal excellence was within the powers OF any
actress on the stage.
This striking circumstance and grand ac-
claim excited public curiosity, and then be-
came known those circumstances OF private
excellence and untoward fortune which had so
interested the few who had taken pains to
secure her a favorable opening. The calamity
of her agents death was turned into blessing,
for it gave her the adoption Of the people; and
the mislocation Of such gem in worn-out
house and company was to prove to be stroke
of fortune. At the American, the power OF her
attractions was undeniable; but her success
at the Metropolitan would have been con-
founded with the Establishments of gay up
holstery and the natural enticements OF new
establishment. The people were satisfied and,
being interested by the refreshing novelty OF
| merit and private worth united in person
who had come to them unpuffed, they resolved
to take her into their protection. When the
people undertake anything of this sort, they
never do it by halves and that motive, built
upon and united with her transcendent genius,
were the joint reasons we set out to give for the
| mysterious firore which so puzzled the good
| folk who had not been present at her first APP
pearance, and who thus far have not seen her.
On the second night of her engagement she
| Lore, and on the third, united the characters
| of "Mrs. Halter in the Stranger and "Ju--
Llama" in the Honeymoon. The proceeds of
this night were to be allotted to the widow of
Mr.. George Lewis, the agent who had died on
| his way from the Isthmus. And here a word.
| Miss Heron had suggested that some action
| should be taken by the profession in San Fran
cisco in memory Of man who had been con-
| nected with the stage for twenty years, and who
! had strained his means to associate with the
| profession here. But one house was tied up"
| for some time with engagements the other
suggested insuperable obstacles for at least four
weeks; whereupon an idea suddenly irradiated
her countenance, and with characteristic ardor
she exclaimed: All know way which will
| obvate all difficulties. lam entitled to bene-
| fit this week, and Mrs. Lewis can have mine.
1t comes on Saturday night, but if | can have
! it now, the proceeds can 60 by Thursdays
steamer, and she will be relieved without de-
lay!' This noble conduct, struck from the
soul under circumstances which forbid all sus-
pcion of article, became known through mem
| bers Of the company the following day, and be-
! fore night number of gentlemen spontaneous
I ~ contributed to the purchase of diamond
cross for the generous girl, as an appropriate
reward of an act of such pious and munifcent
charity.
We do not recollect ever to have beheld a
| scene of equal excitement in a theatre as the
one exhibited during the presentation of that
| Jewell Ignorant Of what was to be said or
done, flor the whole arrangement was but a
few hours old, Miss Heron was called before
the curtain with Mr.. Baker. The whole house
rose, and her arrival at the centre of the stage
was the signal of a shower Of bouquets, too nu-
merous to be gathered, and which literally de-
luged her feet. What will she do with them
all?' said voice during a momentary lull.
! ".She'll walk upon them" was the answer of a
Dozen and three cheers endorsed the sent.
ment. At this moment q large and magnif
| cent bunch of flowers was handed by q gen
ira, on the top Of which glittered the sparkling
present, and beside it note which Mr.. Baker
i was requested to read. We will give il here
at the expense of recaptulation, not only be
cause it furnishes popular endorsement of the
sentiments of this article, but also for the rea
j son that we wish to put on record, in its proper
| connection, circumstance which we are con
WINGED will be feature of interest in the pro
logue ola history the future passages of which
4 will occupy the attention of the entire country
The note, as read by Mr.. Baker, contained
! these words:
"DEAR YOU'VE LADY: A few among the
thousands whom your merits have already
made your friends in California desire to pre-
sent you this small evidence of their esteem
/ It is symbol Of the religion you profess, and
we trust that while it reminds you ofyour faith,
! it will at the same time be received as pledge
that genius never can be friendless on these
shores"
It was beautiful thing to witness the emo
ton which fitted over thespeaking countenance
of the agitated girl, as she listened to these
words. All sorts of weather came from her
eyes, and, alternately laughing and crying, she
made the following fresh and unique reply, as
taken by the reporters:
i "Now what shall ] do? Ladies and gentle
men, the position of speech-maker does not
belong to lady nor was it my intention,
when led forward by Mr.. Baker, to raise my
voice. Let me assure you that this is the first
time in my life that have ever uttered word
on this side of the curtain. But must tell you
how happy you have made me. Your kindness
has completely overcome me. You have, in
fact, made me child, and / cannot find lam
i n,,o oa IN address Won "a / ehould / fool nc e