The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-08-12

When the reporter entered, he saw q white
back, a white ivory head, and round center
table on which were books, papers, and six
pears-luscious California pears. The report
er approached the white back and the white
head
'Mr. Boucicautp'
''That's myself" said pleasant voice, and
at once the back disappeared, and the genial
face OF Dion Boucirault, the man who has
written more dra Las than any other author,
met the gaze of the reporter Happening TO
be an old London and San Francisco acquain-
tance of Bouclcault, the Sun man naturally
looked for arecognition. 1t came in an in
slant ''Why, my dear boy" exclaimed the
dramatist, chow are you. Sit down, Pm
glad to see you."
The rain was pattering steadily without,
and as the reporter seated himself, he ex-
planned the object Of his visit. He SAID:
"You see, was going by here and saw
the rain coming. | thought might utilize
your rooms for short timd, and save my
umbrella good wetting."
''That's right, my boy. I'll try my best
not to bore YOU"
Mr.. Boucicault had been writing. He sat
at the center table in his shirt sleeves, with
his manuscript before him. He wore no
vest. He was thoroughly enjoying the cool
ness of which this light wardrobe was pro-
ductive. He pushed the manuscript away,
stretched himself carelessly, arose and walked
TO the Chinese cabinet. from which he took a
cigar, saying, There's fourteen-year-old
cigar. You may depend on it, for Ive kept
them all that time myself" then sat down
and said, ''nOw, my boy, we'll have little
talk"
The conversation which followed was repeat
edly interrupted by Mr.. B0ucicault's private
secretary, who ran in and out for instruct
ions, and then returned to the interview, not
once losing the thread of his talk. Napoleon
dictated three dispatches at once. Dion Bou-
clcault writes plays and talks to his friends
at the same time.
After some desultory conversation, the re-
porter broached the subject OF Mr.. Bouci-
callit's new play, ''Belle La Mar" The dra-
ma-ist said:
''Tll tell you how happened to write this
piece, which is thoroughly American one.
You remember last winter when l was in
California. At that time l promised John
MCCULLOUGH, the manager OF the California
Theater, rising young actor, that would
write an American play for him. On the
trip to Europe that promise bothered me.
You know you have no distinctive American
drama, and the pioneer in the work of estab-
fishing one has to be very cautious in his sub
iects. Finally | thought of the late war. l
thought passions and prejudices had been
cooled off now, and the time had come when
Justice could be done on beth sides, North
and South, without offending either. / sent
to Benjamin Moran, your Secretary of Lega-
ton in London, and asked him to send me a
history of the war. Alter had read and
studied it thoroughly, seized on tho episode
in the valley of the Shenandoah in the spring
of 1862. 1t was the time when Fremont, Nc
Dowell, aud Banks, each at the head of an
army, were advancing down the valley. That
was the time of my pay. The foundation of
the plot lies in a different direction. In the
Peninsula campaign Mcclellan found that all
his plans were made known to the enemy.
The news was carried by Washington women
who were acting as spies. He therefore re-
fused to tell anybody what he meant to do.
Secretary Stanton didn't like that, and
President Lincoln finally ordered Mcclellan
to tell the Government what he meant to do
He told them, and in forty-eight hours the
plan in all its details was known in Rich
mond. The plot of my play is drawn from
| that historical fact.
| Reporter.-Can you give me in very con-
| else form the story of ''Belle La Mar?'
Mr.. Boucicault.-T story is very simple,
but think very dramatic. Belle La Mar is
a Southern lady who is married to North
| ern gentleman. She leaves him and goes
South VIXEN the war begins, because he is a
| Union officer. She loves the South so much
that, after securing divorce in Virginia, she
becomes spy for the confederates. An otll--
| Ger in the Union Amy under her husband
falls in love with her, and betrays the plans
of his general to her. She is finally captured
and brought before her husband for trial
She refuses TO tell the name of the officer
who has helped her; but he, after severe
struggle, confesses voluntarily in the hope o
saving her. The officer Is condemned tS
death, but the courtmartiai refuses to pro
nounce upon her guilt or innocence. On th,
intercession of Stonewall Jackson, who re
turns unopened dispatches which she hat
stolen, she is allowed to go to the command
ing General A pass is given her by her for