The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-17
TRANSLATED from the French expressly for the
Transcript
The Mother of Dumas the Dramatist.

The Mother of Dumas the Dramatist.
BIT GABRIEL FERRY.
Everything which relates to celebrated
man ia interesting TO the public. People
have often inquired who was the mother Of
an illustriou, dramatic author very much
before the public Of late. Many version,
Of this story have obtained currency-none
of them true.
lie who writes these lines knew the moth
or OF this famous man for many years, and
he does not deem he 10 passing the limits
of discretion in retracing the features and
physiognomy of an amiablc, good and in
telligent woman, He hopes that this rapid
portrait will please her son; it ia al hon.
age to her Of whom he preserves Il sacred
memory.
In one of the houses of the quarter of
st. Eustache there lived, about 1922, q
young man lately arrived in Paris. Ee
was tsll, robuat and quick, seemingly the
REORGANIZATION of activity and good humor.
The son of general of the first empire
he was then employed in the office Of pri-
vatc of the house of Orleans at a salary Of
1880 francs (S300) year. His head was
full of literary dreams he passed his nights
bent over books, the masterpieces of for
eign literature, to reform a greatly neglect
ed education. On the floor occupied by
our young man was q modest lodging con-
ssting Of two rooms. One day young
woman came to occupy it. The new CON-
err was nearly of her neighbours age, Of
middle height, and very fair. She was not
beautiful according TO the classic express
sion of the word, but her face had pleas
ing charm. Was she young girl or wo-
man? Our young man asked the name Of
the new ledger. He was informed that
she called herself Nine. Labey. and that
she was seamstress!
The young woman came from Rouen of
good family, married to an employe of
the direct tax department, much older than
herself; her marriage had been unhappy.
After some years Of @ troubled existence
the couple agreed to separate amicably.
The husband remained at Rouen; the young
wife resolved to go to Paris, all her re-
sources lying in her skill in feminine han.
diwork.
The facility of proximity or certain SIM
ilarity OF position, age, character, associa-
ted tho young man and his new neighbor.
They fell in love with each other. A child
was the result of this amour, in 1926. lie
is the dramatic author who has of late &C.
cupied the mind and heart of Paris. The
new bond united the young man and the
young woman more closely during several
years. The young man had continued his
literary studies with persevering energy;
he had obtained the reception of two great
dramas at the Odeon and the Francois, and
their performance had created enthusiasm.
These two successes changed his life. He
left the house where he had known Mad
anne L., formed new associates; and with
out cea.iug to take care of his son, at least
pecuniariy, he by degrees lost sight Of the
mother. The latter reared her child to the
age of eight years; she gave him taste and
the habit Of those serious qualities which
make q finished man. The child was never
to forget these first les.on6 Maternal in
husnce produced the astonishing contrast
of character being father and son. Mad
anne L. was proud of it, and loved to talk
of it to her intimate friends in after years
when her son had achieved success.
He then passed several years leading a
broad, facile and intelligent life. A catas-
trophe tore him from his golden dreams.
His father failed in the management Of a
large theatre still well remembered. Forced
to go through bankruptcy, he could no Ion
ger aid his son, aud the latter remained
without resources and in debt. 1t was the
son. She WAS thea occupying a small
apartment, No. 22 Rue Pigalle, and was
living In the modest case resulting from Or
der and economy. She took her son home,
comforted him and strengthened him in his
resolve to create serious resources for him
sef. 1t was then he thought Of taking
play from story he had written some
time before--"La Dame aux Marguertes."
Then he obtained small situation in q
newspaper office.
The mother and son lived in this way for
nearly three years Care was often third
guest at their hearth. This saddened the
good women profoundly, but only for her
sons sake What efforts she made to dis
guise II What toll to surround her son
with sort of relative ease He needed 10
go into society to continue his relations and
to create new protectors. 1t was impor-
tant that he should not appear shabby, and
she often gave him the means of appearing
well al the expense of personal privations
In-such case maternal solicitude works
wonders. Her mind invented thousand
ways for saving or for expanding her house
hold resources.
Often, in order to cave the too onerous
laundry expenses of washing, she washed
her sons linen herself and took it the next
morning, while he was asleep, to neigh
boring laundress to be ironed.
She was satisfied thus to have realized q
necessary economy without his knowledge.
Finally, after great efforts, her son sue
ceeded IN getting his piece played that
started him in life. The poor woman
lived In after years to refer to this memoir
able night of "La Dame aux Marguerites :"
1t was date in her life. From that time
she contemplated, the future with serenity.
Her sou secured her an income which pro-
vded her with almost luxury. She left
the little flat in the Rue Pigale. II re-
called too many memories. Her society
was composed of few intimate friends,
with whom she liked to evoke the SOU
venirs of the past, and speak OF the joys
of tho present hour personihed by the dram
attic successes OF her son.
Years had not extinguished the vivacity
of her conversation; her mind was adorned.
She had witnessed the beginnings of some
Of the men of 1880. She know mass OF
anecdotes about them. for her memory was