The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01
WHAT 1T is ALL ABOUT.


afterward. the chamber was spell |
bound.
WHAT 1T Is ALL ABOUT.
The LilI's Letter and the Bogus In
terview that Aroused Freddie's
Wrath.
The st. Louis Globe Democrat. on
the day of the quarrel, had printed an
interview with Mrs. Langtry at the
theater, in which she asked the critic
whether this was not funny coun-
try, and the critic said it was. not. he
explains, because he thought so. but
because ''he did not feel Justified in
disputing any opinion so charming
lady might hold She then went on;
or did not go on, as the case may be,
TO express herself as follows:
But on the whole" she continued,
Il must say that l have been nicely
received by the press and public of
this country. The only thing objec-
tlonable in what has been done by the
press is the statements made about
MIR. Gebhard. who does not deserve to
be so roughly handled. He is young
man who is spending his own money
In his own way. He came to Chicago
to see Inc and invited him to come
to st. Louis. He has been very kind
and nice to myself, to Miss Langtry,
and was so to Mrs. Labouchere when
she was here. ! am sure | can see no
objection to his presence in this city
or anywhere else. He was introduced
to us by Mr.. Oscar Wilde, but perhaps
that will not be any recommendation
to you Americans"
"Why not ?"
Because Mr.. Wilde seemed to have
remained in this country too long
until he was played out. He intro
duced Mr.. Gebhard to us and we will
invite him to accompany uS,even to the
two night towns if he wants to go.
He can sleep on the engine or in the
tender if he likes. He is pleasing
himself in all he does and offers no
body any offence"
Following this deeply interesting
article is letter from Mrs. Langtry
to the editor, which is printed with
all the honors, even to a fac simile of
Mrs. Langtry's monogram and another
of her signature:
THE SOUTHERN, Jan. 16, 1883.
|
DEAR SIR:-You desire few de-
tails of my early life, as much has
been published Of an erroneous nature
concerning it. l was born in the
Isle-not the State-of Jersey, TWEEN
ty-eight years ago. Ny father was
dean of the island, and senior dean of
the United Kingdom. My grand
father and great-grandfather also be-
longed to the clergy-all were digni-
taries of the church. My mother was
Scotch woman. | had six brothers,
and all but one were older than l. l
was the only girl. led most retir-
ed life, sharing my brothers pursuits
and receiving the same education
until | reached my twentieth year.
Then ! married Mr.. Edward Lang
try and passed six months
honeymoon on yacht. Two
years subsequently J went to
London-chiefiy TO seek the advice of
a physician, as | had Just recovered
from severe attack of typhoid fever
and dreaded its consequences. My
entrance into London social life dates
from party at Lady Sebright's
ThenceforWard | was invited every
where and treated with the greatest
kindness and consideration. During
three years l figured necessarily in
London society. Meanwhile, the great
expense connected with social pleas
ures, and the Irish troubles-my hus-
band being an Irish landowner and
largely dependent for his income
upon his property in Ireland-ex.
necessary for me to earn a live
| I OF
for the stage, and my husband
sanctioned it. My family in Jersey
was shrunken; four of my brothers
killed by fall in the hunting field
so the prospect of absence from Eng.
land was less distressing than it might
have been. Mr.. Langtry strove and
in striving to do his share towards re.
much as l do that he is unable, Oh
that account, to accompany me tC
.. America. This is my whole story
Since l arrived here my life has been
public one; have had nothing tC
conceal and have nothing to excuse
. content in the belief that falsehood
and malignity will in the end defeat
themselves without effort on my part
Yours truly,
LILLE LANGTRY.
THE BOGUS INTERVIEW,
however, which excited Gebhard's
wrath, was as follows:
At 7 o'clock a reporter of the Globe
Democrat
RAPED ON FREDDIE'S DOOR,
and having heard of Freddie's abnOr
NAL fear of reporters, was much sur
| ca1 30 rrsfa 4
! in" Entering, he found himself in q
neatly furnished parlor. On side
table there were two new plug hats
on the sofa two overcoats, and on the
! centre table two fresh bouquets
Passing through this parlOr the re.
porter reached the room from whence
, the voice proceeded. 1t was the voice
of locksmith, who was putting on a
new lock or adjusting the old lock
of the door between the bedroom and
, parlor. This was Freddie's sleeping
apartment, and with instructive
quickness the reporter observed that
there were four pairs of shoes anC
two pairs of slippers on the floor
There was white coYerlet on the
bed and a beautiful picture of the
Lily suspended over the head of the
| OON. IL w do a 1OtC1J IO1 Ullt
devotee of beauty and fit shrine fol
the worship of youth whose plant
i've signs have swept two hemi
spheres. Being questioned as tt
whether Freddie was in, the lock
smith replied: "Well, he was here
but he's just left. She sent her ser
want after him."
"Who do you mean by she?" asked
the reporter.
"Why, the lady at the other end OF
the hail." replied the workman.
A few minutes later the reporter
sent his card to Freddie, and was
promptly invited to call at
MRS. LANGTRY's ROOM.
He was received by Freddie's ser
want, who made low and reverential
salaam, such as plebeians are accus.
toned to make to reporters and othel
good men. The scribe was astonisheC
to find himself ushered into the pres.
ence of the Lily herself, who, with
her sister-in-law, Miss Langtry, and
Freddie, were seated at table vigor-
ously discussing dish of roast quail
With that characteristic politeness fol
which he is indebted to an early and
genteel culture, Freddie deigned
to look at the reporter, but did not
speak. He merely swallowed the left
wing of a quail and wiped off his chin
The reporter pulled down his vest.