The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-12-09
WEIND THE SCENES.
- ohae With . Famous Actress In
nr 'sDustness office.r
OWN - madame he In her bedf'

Il
7 e cl9s3 tfhuAdslphiA Press.] r.
0WAlihe madame be In her bedf'
SCNr4lhly when the scene Is ready,n 70.
paied Ne acdbes Intercepted.
! There was just a tings of foreign accent n,
hG rssponse, kind Of shy and yet clearly
apdible line, soft and 4nder in tone like the
aseealation Of . child before age and expert.
enee give confidence In perfect control OF
the powers Of expression. A brilliant woman
she, ss1btle, asd, at the same time intense, in
dramatic power. Az this moment she sat be-
fore large mirror, clad for the bedchambcr
SCENE In "Cymbeline." Over her shapeiy
fofm fell q robe Of white cashmere, over
her neck. and shoulders was thrown
scarf Of orange hhe that fell in grace
ul vfOt& bonw her waist Her feet
were Ia sandals and slle had lust drawn over
hexHhiAMk mltinex - a i1iac.1 crgyon, the
outline Of her toes to produce the impression
that they were bare, Before and around 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 a novice,
this display of the POWDER tinsel, rudeness
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 office" said she
laughingly, as entered with her husband
"You see me here at work, and here are all
my tools May be will not be as entertain.
ing, as well dressed, or as interesting as !
would have been in my boudor 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 must 90 now, this scene is
short one; sit until return" the gifted wo-
man said, as she hurried away
| soon followed to the wings to witness the
| by-play. IL took but half minute for the
actress to scramble into the improvised bed,
the maid TO cover her with a lambs wool
robe, when the curtain rolled up, and Mod
jeska, to the audience, was asleep. Iachimo
Frank Cements) energies from the trunk
and begins his treacherous invocation; while
Barrymore, in the room just away, is dress
ing for the part to follow. / watched the
play quite listlessly, for what different inn
preston 1t all makes when seen from the
rough surroundings behind, instead of from
| tbn S(pr< h Be 60 sf,,I
tons in front of the curtain. was Just
thinking how much show had to do with
everything in life, how pose and appearance
aided and stimulated every effort of man or
woman, when was brought hack to my duty
by quick touch upon the shoulder
Come, l have a long wait now; we will
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 in mould as it was intelligent in ex.
preston. No affectation in word, look or
action, simply bright, able woman that
has forced her way in life against great odds,
by the power Of her genius and her greater
win.
She led the way to her room, away from
the hustle Of those who were pushing on and
of the stage as the parts required them.
Here was her son Ralph, to whom she intro
dueed me, a manly looking boy, some 20
years of age, who has been educated with
care for his chosen profession Of civil engi-
neer 1t was for him that his mother first
came to America, and it is 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 so much for his
advancement
She took her seat again where had first
seen her, before the great broad mirrors, and
| then said:
''Tou see thiAis not all play There is con-
slant anxiety; always something to do and
new things to learn every minute. 1t is
hard, earnest work; in fact constant strug-
gle. Icould not tell you what obstacles there
are to overcome. Let me see, she said, half
solioquizing, as If to recall the early life that
doubtless seems more like a dream than
reality; II began when quite young and have
seen 80 much hard work that the exactions Of
the stage are almost second nature to me-"
"How did you begini"
"Going on in small parts. My first hus-
band had theath 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 1863
that made hit had Travelled, played
and studied, when an accident gave me
chance and went on in Warsaw and made
q 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
we'll received. In 1876 | determined to rest
and travel through Europe But this boy Of
mine said, Mother, il you are going on
journey let us go to America and see the Gen.
tennial exhibition l consented, and we
sailed for this country. We. came to Phila-
delphia and spent several weeks seeing the
sights and the new scenes that everywhere
presented themselves to interest and amuss
us We met number Of friends and had q
aplendid time. After our visit east we went