Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-09

you are undertaking, have filled these
two great books"-pointing to a couple
of old ledcers-''with 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, whore they lived
very elegantly for time; but the hus-
band gambled and it was not long be-
fore everything was gambled away.
The young wife concealed everything
from her friends rs long as she could,
but when every piece of furniture in
the house was gone, and she lay sick on
pile of straw, her father learned the
truth and came down and carried her
home, entering suit for divorce from the
erring husband: Her neliving child by
this marriage was daughter, in after
years the mother of the famous WOrrell
sisters. A year or so afterwards she fell
| in love with q handsome and celebrated
actor ut the theatre where he was play
ing. An elopement and marriage fol-
lowed. Her husband saw that she had
talent for the stage and she 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 Buntline,
the writer. The youngest was myself,
christened 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 FATHEE's DISCRETION.
"My mother never saw them from
that day, but soon heard that her recre-
ant husband had run away with a wo-
man he had picked up there. taking the
| little boys along with them. My poor
mother was almost bereft at the loss Of
her dear little boys She took me, q
little child, and my sister, q few years
older and followed them over the
mountains to New Orleans, in the dead
of winter. They heard of her coming
and left New Orleans to 60 to Charles
ton. remember how she used to 60
and stand at the gates of schools and
watch the faces of the children coming
out, and when she failed to see the Of.
J 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.
pers that she had left New Orleans, no,
ping that they would see the notice and
be beguiled into coming back. The
ruse succeeded. and they took bassagt
, from Charleston to New Orleans by
water. but off Key West the boat went
down and all on board persisted save
the woman who had run away with my
-, father. The list of the drowned an.
nounced my father, and following hi.
, name those OF the two beautiful boys
| shall never forget my mothers scream
when she read the list in the paper. My
mother never held up her head from
that day. She had no heart for acting
and after that rented house in New
Orleans and supported herself and chill
dren by taking dodgers. Among oul
experiences then, I remember 10 Kirby
the actor, came to room with us, bring
ing o woman who passed as Mrs. Kirby
with him. Kirby soon deserted her
leaving her entirely destitute. She wa
f perfectly helpless and discouraged, bu
, my mother, from her great, generous
E heart, told her that as long az she hat
a roof over her own head and q crus
to eat she would share il with her
She lived on there for two years, paying
q nothing, but wholly dependent on m.
mother for clothing, lodging and food
She then married rich man, hut mad
o no offer to renuneratc rs. She is nov
, q wealthy widow, living in elegan
style IN San Francisco, and occupying
: prominent place among the officers of
. leading charitable organization of tina
8 city. A year or so ago, when | lay sicl
and helpless with rheumatism, an
, without cent to pay board or doctor
| bill. and no one to wait on me. ] be
, thought myself of this old obligatio