The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-30
The SAD SroRY OF A WoMAN's L1rn

The SAD STORY OF A WoMANs L1rs.-
e Wa5 tho sall6 WfvG& Of . w0man-the
butt OF an unruly. pnblc's ridicule in st.
Louis-Who. dozen years ago, was re-
garded as ohe o1. tina most talented and
fascinating actresses on the American
STAGE No theatre-Eoer Of any maturity
but can readily recall the time when the
announcement OF Matilda Heron's en-.
gagement was all that was necessary 10
crowd the houses, to draw out those
classes that visit the theatres only upon
occasions OF special attraction, to secure
ooiumn notices from the newspapers,
and to renew, time after time, the admi-
ration and applause to which she was
entitled. Her ls'Oamille'' was one of Che
first representations in the modern real
istic school, which has since become 30
popular. It was intense, personal, har-
rowing. Moreover, her talent had se-
cured ample recognition in other ways
from both the profession and public.
She was an accomplished elocutionist, a
writer cffahiE.y !he acthc. ct saye..!
plays, woman OF generous impulses
and laudable ambition.
Suddenly the star of Matilda Heron
fell from theshigh armament OF public
favor. Tho actress and the woman alike
dlsappeareds never again to return to
the popularity which had been snatohod
from her. Those who have thought
about the matter at all were satisfied to
attribute the change to the whims OF q
hckie public. There was something in
the public papers about. domestic trou-
bies, which created q small ripple OF sem
sation. and there it tended. It was never
known that the secret of her sudden dis
appearance, OF her subsequent failures,
was that in which anatomists feign to
disbelieve-a broken heart.
Matilda Heron, in the very greatest
oriulancy OF her career, became fasci-
mated with man who had gained some
reputation as a musician, composer,
and leader of an orchestra. It was his
music that won her. She loved him,
and married him because she loved him.
DO had other motives. 1t was not her
talent, it was not her personal appear
ance. it was not her kind heart, or good
reputation, which attracted him. It was
the money which she had earned and
her ability to earn more. It did not
take long for the loving but deceived
wife to discover this. Harsh things and
sorrowful things are quickly forced upon
our comprehension in this world.
Matilda Heron no sooner became con-
vinced of this than she set about to do
what only her own generous, but pecu-
liar, nature could have suggested. "He
married me for my money" she said to
her friends, ''and he shall have it," She
at once proceeded to make over to him
In legal form her house, her wardrobe,
her diamonds, everything of value which
she had in the world. It was in vain
that hor friends attempted to dissuade
her from course 80 absurd from utili-
tartan point of view. She was obstinate
ice by: paying this man 81, 800 year
rent for the very house which she decided
to him, and which she had paid for with
her own hardly-earned money. OF this
husband, it is O sufficient indication of
character to say that he accepted all this.
Matilda Heron had no heart for the
stage after this. She determined to earn
her living by teaching elocution. But
pupils were few for the woman who was
now poor and obscure. She removed
from one residence to another, trying to
live by economy when she could not
work. It was Of no use. She was forced
again to try the stage But grief had
made sad havoc with her spirits, time
dreadful inroads upon her attractions.
"You can never please the public with
that figure" said one manager to her.
'The public will look only at the
heart and brains of Matilda Heron" she
said, confidently.
But her confidence was misplaced
The public had found new idols and
neglected its old favorite. Then she
wrote new plays. in which she hoped to
attract with novelty. One ofethem, it is
remembered, was called "The Belle OF"
Somewhere.
''It is an excellent play" said the ma
nager who produced it for her, "but it
needs BELLE"
The next that is heard, this poor,
broken woman is the laughing stock OF
mlsfortunes and the negligence of her
manager. They speak of her now as
'crazy." and perhaps they are right.
She has certainly had trials and grief
enough to mako her so.-Chicago Times.
TwELFrH-NIGHT PARTY.-The first
essential of twelfth-night party is q
large richly frosted plum cake, in which
Q dried pea and bean is baked. The
London pastry cooks ornament these
cakes with all sorts of devices in sugar
kings, queens, lords, ladies, dragons.
lions, fish, milk-maids, serpents, and
innumerable other forms. With these
are sold "characters"- series of paste
board slips, each bearing small picture
and few rhymes, more or less comic.
These slips are numbered; those meant
for girls are put with one box, and those
for boys with another. When the young
people are all assembled, the cake is out
into slices corresponding to the number
OF the company. The boy who draws
the bean is pronounced king, the girl
who draws the pea, queen. Their ma
leesties ore solsnanly en:hroned. side by