The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-06
MARY ANDERsoN,s G1RLHooD.
! Giddy Young Chit, without the Slightest
Indication of Genius.

A Giddy Young Chit, without the Slightest
Indication of Genius.
Writer in Louisville Courier-Journal.
Not long ago was talking with a young lady
who knew Mary Anderson well in her girlhood
days. The subject of great artists had come up,
and we were talking of the youthful indications
Of genius.
perpetual source of astonishment to me" said
my fair interlocutor .'She certainly never gave
ability when she was a young girl.
She was not even studious, but was
always regarded good-natured chatterbox,
rather inclined to be wild, and certainly
school, where she manifested no particular apti
tude in any of her studies being vain and rather
inclined to hirt Her family were Catholics,
and as she grew up she attended small school
in this city. l went to another, but still saw
her very often. We were too young to go into
society," but met at the houses of our girl friends.
"As an instance Of her giddiness, remember
she one time brought a friend to the Cathedral,
and all through the service they chartered and
gggled and laughed To devout Catholics who
shocking, but awful. Finally, an old lady got
up from her pew, and going to Mary, remon-
strated with her for her irreverence. don't
think her expostulations were of much effect,
however.
The stories that she early displayed fond
ness for the stage must be mistake. At any
rate, / never heard of it. never knew her
even to take part in amateur theatricals. Where
she studied or when she studied didn't know.
Certain it is that none of us girls ever dreamed
of her becoming an actress. She managed to
keep her intentions secret from all. j remem-
Der one evening, only two or three evenings
before her debut. met her at the house of
a friend on Chestnut street. There were
three or four of us girls about the same age,
and just old enough to enjoy ourselves heartily
when together. We were having merry time,
and Mary was especially enjoying herself,
when DR.. Griffin came over. He seemed a little
annoyed and took her back home at once.
Mary put on her hat as he was standing out in
the hall, and told us that she'd be back in few
minutes. Sure enough she was DO you sup
pose was going to spend the evening in my
good timer she said. Our fun was under
good headway again, when the Doctor
returned, and ordered her to 60 back
with him. He was angry too but She went
away laughing, and in less than half an hour she
was back again. As before, her stepfather fol-
lowed her speedily. He saw her at front win
dow, and without coming into the house, called
out Mary Anderson, put on your hat and come
home this minute. ! think he said something
about taking switch to her. and, rather fright
ened, Mary put on her hat and did leave in
hurry.
when she went on the stage, little while
after that, every one was astonished. 1t took
us completely by surprise, and many were the
commiserations upon the poor girls step Peo-
pie thought that it was a pity for girl to throw
herself away in that style. and she was snubbed
on all sides by her old friends One time was
walking along Fifth street, near the Cathe-
dral, with another girl, when we saw Mary
approaching. My friend said that we
mustn't speak to her, as she had so
disgraced herself. ! was moro charta-
Bile. though, and thought it would be
too bad to slight her in that style. fancied
Mary looked uneasy when she saw u.s. and when
we came up she became suddenly interested in
the steeple, and didn't condescend to notice us
Poor thing! She had been snubbed SO often
that she wouldn't give us the chance for another
slight
Nobody ever thought her pretty girl any
more than that she was bright one. She was
tall, awkward, and dressed with little taste
What wonderful career has hers been since she
was here. It is almost as improbable as ro-
nance y