Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-16
BEHIND. THE SCENES.
a Chat With Famous Actress in
Her business Office"
The Implements and EntrIcacies OF
the StaSe---Worl1 and OeNstant
ARxiety---Gen7us and
Noble Motherhood.
PHILADELPHIA Press.3

Inere was Just tlngo OF foreign accent I'D
her response, a kind of shy and yet clearly
audible line, soft and tender in tone, like the
articulation of child before age and expert
ence give confidence in perfect control Of
the powers Of expression. A brilliant woman
she, subtle, and, at the same time intense, in
dramatic power. At this moment she sat be-
fore large mirror, clad for the bedchamber
scene in "Cymbeline.i' Over her shapely
form fell robe Of white cashmere, over
her neck and shoulders was skrown a
scarf of orange hue TINT fell Ia grace
III folds below her waist. Her feet
were Ia sandals and she had Just drawn over
her white stockings with black crayon, the
outline Of her toes to produce the impression
that they were bare. Before and ground her
were scattered all the implements, evidences
and intricacies of her art. Great trunks
stood with mouths wide open revealing rich
and curious costumes, and the dressing maid
fitted here and there, folding or arranging
them in most convenient places for the az
lists use. 1t was curious sight to novice,
this display of the powder, tinSel, Fudeness
and richness which dazzle and shine from
behind the footlights for those in front, as
though they were all real.
The stage manager at the Chestnut street
opera house had, by the first words quoted,
admonished Modjeska that the scene would
soon be on where Iachimo must find her
fallen asleep in her bed with the book she had
been reading fallen by her side, and the leaf
turned down where she had finished.
''Welcome to my business ctfice," said she
laughingly, as 1 entered with her husband.
"You see me here at work, and here are all
my tools. May be I will not be as entertain
ing, as well dressed, or as Interesting as
would have been in my boudoir after the
cares and frolics of the play are over. Our
! profession is exacting. People will not toler-
! ate wait or hitch, and our success depends
! as much upon the spirit, fire and ability put
! into it. But I must go now, this scene Is d
/ short one; sit until L RETURN" the gifted wo-
man said, as she hurried away.
soon followed to the wings to witness the
| by-play. It took but half minute for the
I actress to scramble into the improYised bed,
! the maid to cover her with lambs wool
! robe, when the curtain rolled up, and Mod
| jeska, to the audience, was asleep. Iachimo
! Frank Clements e1nerges from the trunk
/ and begins his treacherous invocation; while
/ Barrymore, in the room just away, is dress
ing for the part to follow. I watched the
play quite listlessly, for what a different i'm
preston it all makes when seen from the
rough surroundings behind, instead Of from
the comfortable seats and fanciful decora-
tions in front of the curtain. Twas just
thinking how much show had to do with
everything in life, how pose and appearance
aided and stimulated every effort of man OF
woman, when 1 was brought back to my duty
by quick touch upon the shoulder.
''Come, I have long wait now; we viii
resume the chat"
Turning, there stood Modjeska dressed for
a new part. She had passed into her room
from the back part of the stage during this
reverie. Her white and orange robe had dis
appeared, and upon her tall and graceful
figure was a new dress of rich texture and
dark blue color. Around her waist and
over her shoulders in careful folds rested
drapery Of lighter shade. She looked every
inch queen. Her face was beaming with
the excitement of the evenings success, and
her dark, speaking eyes Lit up countenance
as fair IA mould as 1t was intelligent in ex-
preston. No afectatien in word, look or
action, ssz1ply bright able weRan that
has forced her way In life against great edds,
By the pswr Ct her geaius end kG greater
viii.
Shs lsd tho way 10 hcr Fesaa, away from
sAe bzssAs q those whs vePs pushing on and
OA b&O Do0fp - 6<c E6& y kO8tNlcsk 6f0ai,
Hsps vW hsr ssA Ealph, to vion she intro
dxhad mo- . maaly hooking hey, sNas 20
years OF ass, who has been educated With
care fer his ei,sssa profession Of . civil sngi-
nesF. e was for him tAat his mother frat
came to America, and it b for him that she
will ever hereafter make it her home She
spoke to him tenderly in her native tongue,
and the boy markedly showed his affection
for her who had sacrificed 80 much for his
advancement.
She took her seat again where had first
seen her, before the greet bread mirrors, ard
then'said:
''You see this is not all play There is con-
slant anxiety; always something to do and
new things to learn every minute It is
hard, earnest work; IN facs a constant strug-
gle. I could not tell you what obstacles there
are to overcome. Let me see," she said, half
soliloquizing as if to recall the early life that
doubtless seems moro like dream than
reality; 81 began when quite young and have
seen so much hard work that the exactio1s OF
the stage are almost second nature to me-"
Glow did you begin!'
"Going on in small parts. My first hus
band had a theatre in Warsaw, and began
} there worked hard for several years be-
fore got position. The way to it was
: full Of obstacles, and it was not until 1868
that made hit. I had Travelled, played
and studied. when an accident gave me a
J chance and went on in Warsaw and made
success in Adrienne Lacouvreur could
, not tell you how happy it made me, after
: years of struggle and many trials to make
my success in my own home. From that
time the world grew brighter and the way
easier. Everything played after this was
well received. In 1876 I determined to rest
, and travel through Europe But this boy of
, mine said, Mother, if you arc going on a
} journey let US go to America and see the Gen.
tennial exhibition I consented, and we
: sailed for this country We came to Phila-
delphia and spent several weeks seeing thc
. sights and the new scenes that everywhere
presented themselves to interest and amuse
l US. We met number Of friends and had a
, splendid time. After our visit east we went
, 20 California"