Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-05

"My history! You do not know what
you are undertaking, have filled these
two great books"--pointing to % couple
of old ledgers--"wjth the story of my
! life"
Being pressed to give an account OF
her experience, she told the following in
teresting tale:
"My mother was Sophie Bartlett, of
New York, the daughter Of wealthy
| ship-owner She was first married to
George w. Smith, piano dealer in New
York City. After their marriage they
went to Philadelphia, where they lived
very elegantly for time; but the lus.
band gambled and it was not long be-
fore everything was gambled away.
The young wife concealed everything
from her friends as long as she could,
but when every piece of furniture in
the house was gone, and she lay sick on
a pile Of straw, her father learned the
truth and came down and carried her
home, entering suit for divorce from the
erring husband: Her one living child by
this marriage was n daughter, in after
years the mother of the famous Worrell
sisters. A year or 80 afterwards she fell
in love with handsome and celebrated
actor at the theatre where he was play
ing. An elopemsnt and marriage fol-
lowed. Her husband saw that she had
talent for the stage and sue became an
actress, travelling with him and played
star engagements with him. Two boys
and two girls were the result of this
marriage. The eldest daughter became
afterwards the wife of Ned Buntlinc,
the writer. The youngest was myself,
Clristened Oceana Italia and born in
Baltimore. When my brothers were
fine manly little lads, my father went
to New York City, and wrote from there
to my mother to send on the two little
boys, as he wanted to place them in
school. .."
THE FATHERS DESERTION.
"My mother never saw them from
that day, but soon heard that her rccre-
Ant husband had run away with wo-
man he had picked up there, taking the
little boys along with them. Ny poor
mother was almost bereft ut the loss of
her dear little boys. She took me, n
little child, and my sister few years
older, and followed Them over the
mmntainStg4 New Orleans, in the dead
Of winter They heard Of her coming
and left New Orleans TO go to Charles
ton. | remember how she used to 90
and stand at the gates of schools and
watch the faces Of he children coming
out, and when she failed to STE tho Of
ceS of those she sought she would ask
some Of the little boys if they knew two
little fellows Of their own age, called
- giving my brothers names).
She finally had it announced in the pa
pcrs that she had left New Orleans, no
ping that they would see the notice and
be begulled into coming back. The
rusc succeeded, and they took Lassagc
from Charleston 10 New Orleans bv |
water, but Off Key West the boat went
down and all on board persisted save
the woman who had run away with NV
father The list of the drowned an
nounced my father. and following his
name those Of the two beautiful bows.
shall never forget my mothers scream
when she read the list in the paper My
mother never held up her head from
hat day. She had no heart for acting,
and after that rented q house in New
Orleans ANA supported herself and chill
lren by taking dodgers. Among our
experiences then, remember 10 Kirby.
jhe actor, came to room with rs, bring
ng woman who passed as Mrs. Kirby
With him. Kirby soon deserted her.
eaving her entirely destitute. She was
perfectly helpless and discouraged. but
ny mother, from her great, generous
leart, told her that as long Az she had
! roof over her own head and q crust
o eat she would share il with her.
She lived on there for two years. paying
lothing, but wholly dependent on my
mother for clothing, lodging and food.
She then married Il rich man, but made
10 offer 10 remrnerate MS. She is now
wealthy widow, living in elegant
lyle IN San Francisco. and occupying a ;
place among the officers of ;
eading charitable organization Of that
ity. 4 year or so ago. when lay sick
nd helpless with rheumatism. and ,
'ithout cent to pay board or doctors
i'll. and no one to wait on me. | be-