Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-01
Amusomenss.


Nell commenced an engagement in The
Fire Wait. She appeared in seven diff
ferent characters, and proved herself to
be a protean actress Of rare talent and
merit. Her singing, banjo playing and
dancing we're fully enjoyed by an appre-
ciative audience. 1t having been often
asked, who is Little Nell, we are ena-
bled to give the information in brief
biographical sketch:
NELLIE WILLIAMS,
for that is the real name OF the young
lady, is q native of California, where her
eyes first beheld the light of day on the
l4th day of February, 1857. She will
consequently be eighteen years old next
st. Valentines day. When she was but
FIVE years of age Little Nell made a sue
cessiul appearance on the stage of Ma
CURES Opera House in San Francisco,
playing Eva" in Uncle Toms Cabin, a
drama then quite popular on the coast.
Infant as she was, her dramatic ability
made itself manifest in the most forcible
way, and few nights saw her so thor
oughly ingratiated into the good wishes
of the amusement public that she be-
came the pet of the San Francisco stage.
Her popularity secured for her regular
engagement in Maguire's company,
where she had occasion TO see and play
with such celebrities as Junius Brutus
Booth, Julia Dean Hayne, Matilda Heron,
Frank Mayo, John Mccullough, Charles
Keane, Edwin Forrest, aud others Of
that day and time. Following her first
triumph Nell appeared in Richard
III, as the Duke of York."
and fairly captured the critics.
They proclaimed her a wonder, and
never after had they or the public any
but the kindest feelings of admiration for
her. She remained in the profession
achieving the most unbounded success
until she attained the proper age to at
tend college. In her new life she was
even more brilliant than as the child
actress. Her wonderful energy and re-
markable perseverance enabled her to
literally walk through the school and she
emerged with as finished an education
as any girl in the land possesses.
French, Spanish, and German are spoken
huently by her, and there is scarcely
musical instrument upon which she is
not astonishingly proficient. She sings
like bird, and altogether is as perfectly
happy and contented as an ordinary
mortal can be. Nell after her school
days were over, reentered professional
life and made tour through the States,
appearing in comedies and farces suit
ed to her age and experience and win
ming golden opinions everywhere. Then
she contracted with a well known play
wright in New York for drama after
the style of the Lolita sensational, at the
time just coming into favor. Katy
Did was produced by her for three sue
cessive seasons to SPLENDID business.
This was followed by others OF the same
style, until "Fidelia, the Fire Waif' was
written for her. Now she is preparing
to quit the sensational and enter field
where her talents will show best and her
tastes be more satisfactorily gratified.
Society plays are a step in the direction
of improvement, and she has just com
menced her first season in this line.
Tonight The Fire Wait will be re-
peated, and tomorrow night the Hidden
Hand will be the attraction.
CHILDREN's FAIR.-At the Memphis
Club Hall tonight will commence the
fair for the benefit of the Cleveland
Hebrew Orphan Asylum. The play of
Ben Bolt will be enacted by the mem
bers of the Memphis Amateur Dramatic
Club.
JEFFERSON OPERA House. An in
crease in the houses at this place of
has been Manager Steele'S
reward for the great attractions he has
offered. Tonight FIVE new stars in adj
iition to the already mammoth company
will appear. Among them is the accom-
plished serio comic vocalist and light
ming zouave drillist, Minnie Rainforth;
the great Dutch delineator, Admiral
Yale, and the Misses Lulu Leonard,
Nellie Irene and Master Chas. Gardner.
The dramas produced in this house are
played in good style, and the entertain
ment in toto is most attractive.