The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-04-14
A Maggie Mitchell Reminiscense.

A gentleman now resident in Kansas
City, but who was born and spent his
minority in an Eastern city, related
to friend at the theater the following
incident, suggested by Maggie Mitchell's
presence:
cat 90" said he, 'I was q very i'm
pressible youth. I was often smitten
with the fair sex, but usually cured after
an interview. Perhaps" said he, smil-
ing, "this is the reason why I never be-
came Benedict But was never more
seriously in love than with this very
Maggie Mitchell who is playing before
us tonight, and as I look at her thou
sand thoughts and reflections of nearly
twenty years ago pass wildly before my
mind. You may surmise I was never
very deeply in love. This may be true,
in general sense, but it is quite certain
that my love for Maggie passed for some
thing very like that divine passion while
it lasted. This was the way of it: I
had been studying very hard in prepare
ton to enter the sophomore class in col
lege, and was taking o rest, possibly
somewhat weakened both mentally and
physically. I saw Maggie Mitchell in
the Pearl of SaUoy, and on leaving the
theater 1 found myself in dream of
love for this fair actress. Ny companion
did not share my enthusiasm, and 1 got
away from him and wandered the streets
alone until late hour. Next night
found me at the theater only to become
more fully and completely smitten, if
possible
That entire night spent in wandering
in the vicinity of her hotel, and gazing
~ 81
and Juliet, and only wished the scenes
of those days were possible in the nine
teenth century. I was harrassed with
doubts and fears, withal, and wondered
if she were married, and then if her hus-
band appreciated her, and then if she
would see anything in me attractive. I
even went SO far as to imagine she might
receive me kindly if could be properly
introduced.
From that conjecture built up vast
structure of possibilities of pleasant
acquaintance, to be followed by kind
of regard on her part, then by love. I
would be SO attentive and SO devoted
that she could not resist. But the hus-
band. This reflection sent my passions
barometer down a little. But would
manage her anyway.
True, thought, such defiance OF the
laws of society always turn out badly;
but would inaugurate a new precedent,
and would take my love to Ceylon, or
some other fowery isle, far, far from this
miserable world. My Maggie would no
doubt be willing to go.
I awaited the morning, and about 10
n. M, with my courage at the highest
point could screw it, entered her hotel.
I was about to present my card to the
clerk to be sent up to the author of my
two sleepless nights and days, when a
heavy-sized, dark eomplexioned man
began q conversation with the clerk, and
I hesitated. Said the clerk:
''Good morning, Mr.. Paddock; how is
your wife this morning?"
The gentlemen made reply:
"Quite well, thank you; but we are
thinking of leaving the stage. Fact is,
Maggie thinks this not just the kind Of
life now, and she sighs for the tranquil
ity of domestic peace. She has been
many years on the stage. and she thinks
our children ought to have more of her."
Heavens thought I. And I went
out from that place into the fresh air,
and pinched myself vigorously-Kansas
Gitu Times