National Republican., 1882-12-29
THAT LASS o LOWRIE."
Where and How Mrs. Burnett Found tho
0rign Of the Character.
A Sketch os the Early Life and Trials Of
-he Gifted Writer.
The Tortuous Course Through Which Her First Worl
Found lis Way 10 the Printer.
Mrs. Burnett's Home, Her "worhshop,''
and Her Work.

VI THIS stranger WlInln our gates can not
say too much in thanksgiving for the pleasure
her genius has afforded and still gives all the
reading world. Frances Hodgson Burnett is
an English woman by birth, an American by
adoption, of medium height, fair complexion,
hair Titan red, eyes blue shaded by soft
brown lashes, which, when spoken to- she
slowly sweeps over the person speaking, on
whom she then concentrates a surprised look
long straight nose, small nervous mouth,
and delicately curved chin make up face, not
beautiful but charming in the fullest sense of
the word. svelte figure, with small hands
and feet, give girlish appearance to woman
yet in the twenties.
The first twelve years of Mrs Burnetts life
were spent in
LANCASHIRE COUNTY,
the mining district Of England Her fathers
house was one Of several dwellings surrounded
by ample grounds, once laid OF in lawn and
parterres but their beauty ruined and priv
acy destroyed by an order from the authori-
ties giving a right of way through them to
the miners. To watch the passing to and fro
Of these rough men and women became do
light to the little Frances and her younger
sisters, and they in turn learned to look for
the three bright faces hattened gainst the
window-panes.
In the incongruous crowd the children soon
nodded creature, handsome featured and grace
ful carriaged, evidently power, since one and
all the men respectfully to her dofled their
caps when passing and the women nodded
pleasant smile. She went always alone,
though sometimes her steps were closely
dogged by a brawny, brutal fellow, whom they
discovered was her father.
One day, when the nOontime bell changed
the laborers from their toll, Frances noted
an alteration between her heroine and the
father, who was much the worse for liquor.
She impelled him forward, anxious to get him
to the shelter of home-he staggered and
loitered, she stood and urged. The miners
halted near, knowing the fierce nature of their
companion, and fearing injury to her whom
they respected. Suddenly the savage, with
uplifted arm made lunge at the detenseless
girl, who stood erect, undaunted, defiant,
arms folded, face pallid, eyes fashing-one
moment and the braggarps courage failed;
he dropped his ann and skunk away. The
memory of this splendid creature lived in
Mrs. Burnett's mind, and grew and grew un-
til she gave her to us under the name of
THAT LASS o. LowRIE.
At the age of twelve the family came to
America, hoping in this FL Dorado to redeem
their fortunes. They settled near Knoxville,
Tenn. From seven years of age Mrs.
Burnett has made stories" but until her
twelfth year no one suspected the shy, quiet
girl of weaving romances. By accident a
ldNOllle slSttT, yOuuSST IMAM buc, uisCoNcTtu
the secret, and it was not long before the
third was taken into the confidence, and
Whdt a heroine Frances was to them! On one
occasion, after reading IA more than usually
exciting tale, Bctsey Trotwood" pet name
given the guide, philosopher, and friend of the
authoress, said, with her face resting in her
little hands:
Frances, you must s9nd that to the publish
man and get money for it,"
81 cannot send it," she answered, "becausC
L. Il
we will betray our secret, and that we will
never do"
mo" said the practical child, eve won't
ask it, but after dinner we will all pick ber-
ries, and send Jane Ia servsnt) to town to sell
them, and with the money pay the letters
way"
The sage advice was followed, and the pre-
cious package sent to Mr.. Ballou, who, when
he heard compensation was required, returned
1t. Next it went to Mr. Petersen, who wrote
to inquire if it was Original; !" which so ex-
asperated the cotelie that they hastily se-
lccted half dozen manuscripts and for
warded to this gentleman, who from then
until now has been the best of good friends
to this gifted writer.
MRS. BURNETTs
home is in this city, on l street. near Thir-
tcenth, almostad Joining the Garfield residence.
1t is Il modest, three storied brick the interior
draped and decorated with that nice attention
furnishing. Her den is in the top of the
house, a large room hung with paintings and
water colors, pencil sketches and photos and
placques, and the hundred and one odds and
ends with which woman best loves to
Rdorn her living apartment; a harpsichord.
The green sofa,' so lovingly referred to, so
longingly wished for in Dolly" has the post
OF honor, few easy chairs, a desk, and
tiger skin make ny the appointments of this
"eorkshop." Two boys glorify the home,
LIONEL AND VIVIAN,
aged and s, golden haired, picturesque-ap-
pearing fellows, who worship their mother
and adore their indulgent father Dr. Burnett,
who is an occuist of fame and a writer of
marked ability, He is spare man, dark
haired and eyed, with intellectual face. He
fills acceptably the chair of ophthalmology in
the medical department of Georgetown college.
He is justly proud Of his talented wife.
Srom the dramatizatiOn of Louisiana
Mrs. Burnett has possibly reaped greater pc
cuniary benefits than any of her previous
works To perfect herself, in the ways hab-
its, and speech of the people amid whom she
was to locate her story she passed two months
in the locality, she and her husband riding
horseback from town to town and spending
nights and days with the mountaineers, whom
she conciiated by gifts of bright calico and
pretty trinkets.
THROUGH ONE ADMINISTRATION"
has provoked considerable criticism, and a
vast amount of ingenuity has been displayed
in lifting the imaginary characters to real
peOple; il is evident Mrs Burnett had no one
specially in view when making the personnel
Of the romance, but from variety of ac-
qnaintances took marked characters-idio-
syncracies and lailings-and with them builded
to suit herself. She is much given, imagine
TO weaving histories for those she meets in
every day life, specially, if an iRtime, and the
friendship runs against barrier, marking off
'"reseyyed space " in life into which no one
hut ones self can ever enter. Sometimes she
tails short of the truth; again she strikes
home!!
To those admitted to close companionship
with this delightful woman her home is
known as Vagabondia. On certain evenings
thay are allowed to the den, where by the
fickering freight each member of the clique
is expected to tell ghost story and bright
the memory of the hour, in which the fasci-
mating hostess is persuaded to contribute her
quota.
On Sunday evenings she and the doctor are
at hume and in her parlorS one may meet
the be from the good of the social, literary,
HGsical, dramatic, and art world.
ars. Burnett Is an industrious worker, and,
they say, has on hand two novels, each better
than the, other and both promising to excel
any previous effort made by this brainy little
woman, to whom all success in every venture
which her genius may lead her!
c, H.. NJ.
g riitmas II Railway Train.
'l Is slpn Ideal Opera company, now
ttafU In N the west arranged to spend |