The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-25
MODJ ESKA.

A FAMILIAR TALK WITH THE DISTINGUISHED
ACrREss-wHAT SHE SAYS ABOUT HERsELF-
HER THEORY OF STAGE DEATH SCENES.
snow am ready to talk" said Nine. Modjcska. tho
distinguished Polish actress. 10 HERALD representa-
two yesterday morning, as she gracefully bowed a
parry OF lady callers rom her parlor In the Clarendon
Hotel. 'sTake that chair me and will sit heren
said she, resuming her scat on sofa oy tho window
REroRrLR-Mmo Modjeska, New York takes very
warm interest in you and wish you would tell
something about yourself.
Nine. MoDJEsKA--Wo might find more agreeable
subj ct than that.
REroRrER-I assure you that the public is very much
interested you. Tell me. pray how you to 90
upon the stage.
Nine. MoDJEsEA--From the age Of fourteen said
that would be something In the world. My mother
laughed me- and said that 1t was enough Tor me TO
marry we'll and De sood mother paid no attention
to this, for my mind was made up. thought of The
operate stage and studied music for time. for
had pretty good voice, but gave that up. then
concluded TO be writur. studied literature You
should have seen some OF my poetry (smng); It was
very crude, ana began to think that my talent was
not for writing Ny home was great centre for
artists, musicians, actors and erdteuys, friends Of
my brothers, who were artists have sister an &C.
tres& I concluded to 20 upon tho stage, tor I was
very iond Of acting. Ny family discouraged the ides
but was determined, and did it, MY first husband
was the manager OF the theatre but no did like 10
bavs me act was very young when married
That is my son, my only child (pointing 10 young
man oil about sixteen years Of age, who was cutting
notices from pile Of newspapers at the table, When
my mother discouraged my going upon the stage I
ncr shall be the leading actress OF Poland be-
fore am thirty, and so was
RgPonrKR--You speak Of your Grst husband; have
you a second9
Nine. MoDJEsKA--Yes; ne Is out in California and
will be here IN n fortnight Here is his p'cturc--
displaying tho photograph OF remarkably fine look
Ing and intelligent mani He is a very clever man
and has helped a great deal IN my studies. We
lived very happily In Warsaw. so that when got a
letter from Dumas fills inviting mo to como to Paris
and SAID TO my husband, Il 40 not want TO give
engagement coming from the Court Theatre OF War
saw Ut the same time, accepted IL.
REpoRTEK-How aid you get away to come to
American
climate, and asked Tor leave OF absence. "What
for y, SAID tLcy. "fo 20 10 America" replied.
sYou jest, - sa,d tho management. II never jcsi'
said. And when tuey SAID, "You Will DO back IN
three mon hs," said. mot until two years." They
would not Dolcve me In earnest until they actually
saw OF.
way, how did you happen 10 know Euesby
Nine. MopyksKA--l did not know word OF 10 year
sOo. nave learned II since that time.
REPoRrER--Your Camille has taken tho town by
s,orn, our theatregocrs think that they never u,.
ds,ssood he character before What are your ideas
of ia Dame aGz Cdmtiios? Do you tnink that she
Nine. xooygrKA earnestly NO. indeed, think sbo
as woman who went astray merely from the force
=, circumstaucoa she never had chance TO be any
thipe but what abe was Her parents deserted her