The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-29
MRS. FRANCES IT. nUnNKrr
The Youth md First Efforts of the An,
Of "Thnt Lnss ~ I.owrie'."

F,on ne Cmctlsfi Engnir,r
WASHINGTON, Dec. %. Mrs. Burnat, +,
rather below than above the average heioh, 4. -
slight and supple. with n girish grace Of 49,
and figure quite attractive her features nro ,an
% expression, and never rest her eves ~.
larRa. brown. soulful eyes. which dilate snS
flash and sparkle or grow tonder and monrr
full and hide beneath tho long. curling lashs,
It's tho subject may be gny or sad her anuilio.
nose, with thin. sensitive npstrils. that contra,
and expand ns emotion inspires her. and
mouth and chin full Of sentiment In relating
story the lips ARE only hail parted and vbosa
her soul il stirred by tho pathos Of what Az "
nnrrating the refined Inns culver. and thu chn
Nibrates with tho imaginary sorrows shc makes
50 realistic. This lace. So full Of genius h
crowned by luxurious suit of hair, which
tringes in long rings about herintellectnal FORE
hehd In color 1t II auburn. II Is coiled In A
loose mass y me back OF her superbly poised
In conversation MRS Burnett Il nnimnted ana
brilliant Her language is well chosen and Il
h0ure lying in tho uee of good, strong sbot
Anglo-SaNon words. She uses her hnnds IL
eNNprei,sins her meaning, and very smss.
rally ot some neutral tint. black being her H.
vOrito color. This she iiluminates with brigb
| harmonious tints, and, about hor shoulder.
there L. usually wound Il lace or netted sjik
tichu. Her mnnners are easy and af1ahe.
She mas tive boys. named Lionel md Vivian.
Oilf I. lilf NlnNf D. ntN are sturdy Enplfsk
looking children. They are devoted n tbei,
mother. ana play IN her room during her work.
ing hours; Her husband. Dr. Burnett Is an
icul College. He enters with grent spirii ~.
nll hcr literary lahors. and she looks to him ior
advice and announcement. Her home on I
street. H. q modest. thren-story. brick simnlS
! and comfortably furnished. \ few picfnrns ~
niurhlc sintuc;tcs are on tho parlor will some
| photographs nrc on "asels, two are hung; they
are those # Mrs. and Mr.. Charles Peterson 4,
] Bl1iUVplplItH. To whom is awarded fht laaoa -
! honor in this coy rOom. During the saasoa
Dr. aud Mrs Burnett have Sunday evening re-.
This Lass o Lowrie's was born Mt Manchss.
ter. England. Their home was within eichtee,
miles Of Wlggin. the centre Of the mining inter.
! ests. Their house WIS Il large one and with
thrco or four others was environed by "A mi
4 waite park. When Mrs. Burnett was eleven year,
/ ot age the gates wern torn down. and the opera.
/ tves from several factories passed In the fair
/ grounds. on route to and from their work. Ono
| dny-a cloudy. cold day-thD child now A
| woman. was watching the tide ofhuman beings.
/ Ihey wer. rough. hurly mon. and hard-fea.
tured tired sad-looking women. Thor dresses
were 81 tho cnarsest. and were hung or 1ung
/ about them. OF the scores who came and went
| 10y there was one she notpd-a girl Of about NJ.
| teen. tall. well formed. Juno appearing; her
complexion WIS Ike ivory; her lace set brave
/ almost defiant; she swung herself with an elias.
/ pelrei. Tho little Frances was 30 Impressed
/ that She watched her day by DAY, and observed
\ that disputes were referred to her for s,l,ie
mcnt. and the workers men anil women. De.
| ferred 10 her rs II nv common consent. One
( day rho WAS followed by a man. n brutal-look.
! ing fellow. who seemingly had m alteration
| with the majestic creature" She hesitated 10
do what he WIS imi ortuning. and he raised hs
/ fist 70 strike her. hut the look she gave him
stayed the blow. Without sign OF fear she
/ turned and followed her father from the place,
and Frances never saw her again. Tint Girl
/ lived in the memory % Mrs. Burnett until few
public rs " Joan. That Lass % L0wries."
The gifted writer has been making stories
since she was years old. and when at u the
/ family. owing to an utter loss OF fortune. left
/ England. she brought u pile Of manuscript more
| tnnn foot in height. Did she publish you
ask. Oh. no; she, was not even suspected Of
/ literary talent. and the only conlld1nte she had
/ was hcr youngest sister. Edyth child. then 10
| her seventh year.
When they came to America. Just after thu
| close Of our war they settled in Knoxville. Ten
| nessec and were for some time neighbors u
/ Pnrson Brownlow. with whose family they werG
/ on intimate terms. Alter brief period OF time
they removed TO farm Two miles from Knox
! willie.
One daywhen Frances had concluded readp.
n story 10 Edyth and Edwna. the latter the ED
est Of the trio. Edyth said:
Frances. why don't you send that to the pub
lishman-to buyf believe you write as well a
When the girls declared they would die be
/ fore going 10 brother or mother tor posing
/ money. and thereby hetray cherished secret
/ Edwin said: " We need not die, nor need W
I ask them. have plan. Put Oh your hnts ant
/ come with me- They went. They GATHERED
| wild grapes sent them to town next morning
1 sold them, and with the proceeds sent OF tn
/ story 10 BdH0fs Magazine.
Soon very highialutin letter came, nllet
VITA glowing tributes to the writer, but emptl
/ rs 10 money.
France" said Edyth. this won't dol ",
want money: We need money; We must hay,
money The request was moiusilY made and
the lauded manuscripts returned because 10,
l long
Mrs Burnett sent her work 10 Mr.. Charlie
/ Peterson. OF Y'tCrSon's Magazine. Philadelphia
" to whom. she saws. mora than to ANY othe
living man. am ! indebted for what am, H
encouraged me- when my sensitive heart ial
tered. and eHcn work, as my value grew he
! without even suggestion, increased my pay
No uriise." saws this generous woman. that
could award Mr. Churles Peterson could equa
his deserts: and ran never, never, cancel TN
debt Of gratitude ] owe him" go
He IL In no wise responsible for the republi
cation ~ her early stories. and IN every wa
tried 20 prevent tie injustice being done hel
Mrs. Burnett Is not assumed Of her young Ell
forts. hut she did not like them published %
now works subsequently written 10 " Tint Las
a. Iowres, when IN reality they were com
posed in the first daWning OF the morning Q
her triumph.