Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-02
WHO IS SHE
Maud BransCOmbe Turns Up in Mime
sOta---A Strange Story that will
Excite Much Comment,

even in pictures, chastc in expression,
and the whole crowned with a wo.
mans glory, a magnificent suit of
auburn-tinged hair. To the public
even the face of Beatrice Cenci is no
more familiar than the features OF.
Maud Branscombe, aud zone less
perfect in the mold of supreme wo-
manly beauty.
Maud Branscombe, an actress of
note, more especially a star of the first
magnitude on the variety stage, has
had over $4,000 photographs printed
by Mora, the celebrated artist of New
York, alone. No woman who ever
walked a brief hour of popularity on
the stage has ever had her portraits in
such demand, No collection of stage
celebrities is complete without it, and
to the galaxy hers adds a lustre by its
intense beauty,
You will explain my reason for
wishing to see her, if you publish the
story as you threaten.
Mrs. Scott-Siddons was the speaker,
as she stepped aboard an outbound
train to resume her professional van
behring's, Wednesday morning.
An affirmative nod was the reply,
which may as well be followed by the
story.
While here the lady alluded to
above made quiet inquiries about
Maud Branscombe. They were
shaped in such a way as to lead to the
suppOsition that the beauty" had
been and even was supposed to be in
st. Paul.
Coupled with the desire to see Maud
Branscombe in person, and to aid the
seeker, a detective put himself at the
service of Mrs. cott-Siddons.
Together, and each after their
method, the result of the inquiry was
that Maud Branscombe had graced st.
Paul with her presence. She came
here in December or Whereabouts, and
was established by a friend on Jack
son street, near Seventh thence she
removed to Seventh street, below
Jackson. Why she had left the stage
and was under protection soon had a
solution, in the birth of a child. Up
to this time her friend, who purpOrts
to be trayeling-man named Mason or
Maxwell, representing a large jewelry
house in Chicago, was the perfection
of the devoted and attentive lover.
Not long after she was favored with
the presence of a baby; her protector
was called off or away from home
such it was in the coy appointments
and the presence of lovely woman-by
business. These absences were pro
longed at each succeeding one. until at
last he returned not at all.
The result may easily be guessed.
A forsaken woman with her babe,
even in hiding because Of the circum-
stance, was pushed to the verge of
starvation. Neglected, alone and
friendless, in a city of utter strangers,
and wishing to conceal her identity,
she scarce knew what to do. She had
many admirers and professional friends
to apply to, but this desire to conceal
herself until recovered in strength
deferred her from revealing her retreat
by making an application.
The desperation of the situation can
only be experienced to be appreciated.
Relief only came at a sacrifice. One
by one the young and abandoned
mother parted with her jewels. She
crept into, as it we're, the pawn shop
and earned her bread and support for
her child by giving up souvenir and
gifts bestowed in the hight of her
popularity. Thus she lived along.
sacrificing and bestowing upon the
child of him who had deserted her.
The recital of the above may call TO
the memory of many on jackson
street, who saw a fragile woman, no
ticeable anywhere for her grand eyes
alone, taking advantage Of every crate
tul winter day to wheel her baby up
and down tho street. She seemed ac-
quainted with no Que, was never seen
to enter a store or building, and disap-
peared as mysteriously as she appeared
suddenly. That woman was Maud
Branscombe.
Vigilant inquiry was fruitless in
finding her here when she was wanted.
About ten days ago she went to Min
neapolis, returning in a day or two.
and then taking her departure with
out her child on the eastward bound
train to Chicago.
This is not particularly an unusual
story. But the heroine adds yet an.
other link to a wonderful chain of cir.
eumstances which Maud B~ranscombC
has wrought into a career for herself
She came over to this country from
England with Lydia Thompson
troupe of blondes-tho second com.
ing. She was the attraction of that
marvellous beyy of stage beauty. Her
popularity assembled to the zenith al
once, and was never eclipsed while she
walked the boards.
Meyer gwen TO the abandon which
marked her associates, possessed o,
o refined appearance and gifted witt
pleasing and modest address, the won.
der grew as to how she could hay,
been brought to such a business
Without satisfying or explaining 9Th,
wonder Maud Branscombe can b.
said to have begun her history before
she left England.
She was the daughter Of an English
clergyman. Reared in the luxury O.
a refined home, surrounded by the in.
t%luenoes of her fathers profession
she met a lover, and with the consent
OF both families the young English
man and girl became engaged. Tn,
young man was predisposed to con
sumption, so supposed, and a trip /,
Australia was recommended. II,
undertook the journey With the fond
est assurances given and taken be-
/ k4uaaR NLa lawa-- H.