The Portland daily press., 1882-11-03
The Beautiful Histrion.
Ordeals Through Which Mrs. Langtry
Has to Pass.

Since Mrs. Langtry stepped from the gang
plank of the Arizona she has been singledeut
by sight-seers for undated, and not always
pleasant, attentions Ladies of fashion, ladies
temporarily sojourning in the metropolis, ladies
from the country and ladies from abroad have
all banded together to besiege the English
beauty, and, through their cards, demand her
surrender to them. Tradesmen of all crafts
have thronged the corridor of the ALTERNATE,
and, indeed people of every ilk have applied
for admission to her presence. However much
she may endeayor to remain in retirement, she
must receive her mail and therefore through
the postoffice she is still assailable. All these
eager and cunning people know as much, and
such food of correspondence pours into her
apartments at the ALTERNATE as would set any
national bureau buZzing, and fill with 6ismay
any clerical force under the sun. OF course,
much of this consists of letters of invitation
here, there and everywhere. There are people
of fashion who seek her company, people of
business who crave her patronage. But con-
spicuously foremost and above all others in
number, variety and "cheek," are the epistles
OF the autograph gatherers. Mrs. Langtry has
suffered from them like all who have preceded
her, and it is only recently she has been forced
10 understand that there is no satisfying the
demands Of the persons clamoriDg for sigma
lures. A New York Herald reporter who was
made aware of her experience with the auto
graph seekers, and how constantly she had
been inundated by the cards of visitors, took
occasion 10 refer to both III a conversation with
her during the intervals of rehearsal q day or
two since.
"Oh, callers; 1 must speak to you OF Them"
said Mrs. Langtry, looking really distressed
"a number of ladies have sent me up their
cards. Ever SO many people have presented
themselves. l really do not know what to do.
You see, am busy every day. / have hardly
an hour to spare. But do not like to refuse
TO see people who may come only out of good
nature"
do you not fancy that some are trying to
make yonr acquaintance through that informal
channel?''
perhaps that IS true,'' said Mrs. Langtri.
HAS any one asked for your autograph"
aud the reporter awaited the effect of this que
~, which usually throws the lion of the hour
exposed to the Vaccinations of the American
epStolary field in a paroxysm of excitement.
at once Mrs. Langtry was all animation.
THAT is one thing L am In quandary about,
said she. 81 have received piles and piles of
letters asking for my autograph. would give
il willingly, but were to devote every hour of
the day to signing my name it would be quite
inadequate to enable me to reply to all my cor
respondents. why, my fingers are weary OPEN
ing letters 1 found Nine. Nilsson was
troubled in the same way. She was compelled
TO give up the work in despair. Now, do not
know what to do. 1t may seem unkind not to
do SO simple service. But cannot spare the
time. / was thinking" said the lady sudden
ly, and rejecting as she spoke, 81 was think
ing of letting them understand that / would
only put my signature in such autographs al
buns as we're brought me by their owners
That would show they really wanted it,
wouldn't i'll"
This proposition struck the reporter as of
doubtful efficacy.
Would it not do?" Mrs. Langtry asked.
sit might" he assented. "But it certainly
would bring together bigger mass meeting of
sightseeing ladies armed with autographic al
huns than the Albemarle Hotel could ever
hold"
Mrs. Langtry seemed to think there was
some truth in this, and when rehearsal con-
cluded she was still in doubt as to how she
should deal firmly but kindly with the rapa-
cious seekers of signatures. Yesterday after
noon Mrs. Langtry went out for ride, and in
Intervening went to Wallacks Theatre to wit
ness the peri FINANCE of 1.-THE Parveuu." In
the box at the theatre along " it'll Mrs. Langtry
sat Mrs Labouchere and Mrs. Abbey with Mr..
Abbey. The depressing inference of the wealth
er was felt by the ladies, and Mrs. Langtry
complained OF severe headache. She was
greatly interested in the play, however, and
the performance did much to relieve the dis
piriIing effects of her indisposition.