The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-22
SUNNY EsNIERALDA.
The Pretty, Piquant Little Lady Who Has
Pleased a Million People

Pleased Million People.
Louisville Courier Journal, Yesterday.
The pretty, piquant little lady playing Es-
meralda has pleased million people An
ME Russell is the original and ideal Esmer-
aida. She has presented the title role over
800 times-that magic number having been
registered at the matinee March 6. The first
time the play was put upon the stage Miss
Russell took the title part and has played it
without cessation On the initial evening
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of the
drama, witnessed It's debut, and it is needless
to say she was more than delighted. She saw
the breathing embodiment of the image of
her brain. The play was presented 300 con-
secutive times at the Madison-square Thea
ter and materalized a treasure trove for
the writer and for the Mallory Brothers,
But the miracle of the whole matter
| is the golden-hearted little lily that
blooms afresh these many evenings through
all the seasons. A Courier-Jo urnal person
had a charming chat with the houri in her
little parlor at the Gait House yesterday
afternoon, and between the chances of her
soul-lit eyes cleaned few facts and episodes
OF her young but already eventful life. A
sweeter face man never looked iuto-nor
could he look without being the better for it.
A well-developed and well-poised head,
with a halo of sunny hair clustering over
large, liquid, brown eyes, innocent and I'M
suspectng as child's; an oval face with a
mouth of exquisite beauty and teeth of
pearl slight but graceful figure, and you
see before you somebody "prettier than q
picture" even her own. She sits twining
her kerchief around her fingers, and looks
up shyly through long silken lashes. There
is not trace or shade of any artifice or
worldly make-up-a fair flower of nature.
Are you native of this country, Miss
Russell?' asked the newspaper young man.
NO 1 was born in London, England My
parents, however, made their home in Mon
treal, Canada, when was child, and lived
there until L went upon the STAGE
How long have you been on the stage?'
-Four years. l made my debut when
was fourteen years old"
Then you are how old, may I ask?''
Eighteen years and one month";"
What part did you play first?'
THE child's part in Miss Mutton After
ward l sang Josephine in 'Pinafore' Then
made trip to the West Indies with the Nc
Dowell troupe and played among the isles in
child's parts for eight months. Finally
fought my way into Colleen Bawn' and
Moya in the 'Shaugraun.' l was in New
York when 'Esmeralda' was being equipped
for the stage, and stood my chance with sew
eral others for the title role; and suppose
succeed, for that has been my work from
that day to this.'
and you like it?"
YES, should not be happy off the stage.
1t has always been the dream of my life
" III NOu pay IlllS IOlG dllOlllcf Year,
eyes, l have about agreed to another year,
and l should not like to part with it'
Have other members of your family his
trionic talent?"
Yes, my little brother, five years old, is
with Madame Modjeska He takes the part of
Frou Frou's child My sister Marian, who is
fifteen years old, will made her debut at the
Madison Square next autumn. My little
brother carried Boston by storm"
How do you like the South, Miss Rus
sell?"
ooh, next to the drama, am in love with
it. The people are so warm and responsive.
They help me out wonderfully"
''Then you have had no love affairs yet"
mo; there is no time for that in this walk
of life. The stage is jealous and admits of
no rival. When people marry their time is
divided between the stage and domestic du-
ties and the stage is the loser usually"
That ends the argument" as Fresh the
American, would say, and as the young man
thought, and the topic was tipped in other
directions.
Miss Russell makes a companion of Miss
Dillon and calls one of the cast their big
brother. Oh, to be "big brother"
From the manager it was learned that Miss
Russell is paid 1925 week, and she is con-
sidered a bargain Her father is dead, and
her mother is with the little brother. If
ever Esmeralda should fail in love and set
tie down." sunshine would surely rest on
the Little House.