Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-28
LILY LANGTRY.S FATHER.
A Visit 20 the Venerable Dean n Hfs
Quiet Jersey Home.

From Letter in Philadelphia Press
st. Heliers Is a clean little city, we'll paved
and shaded Its inhabitants are very proud of
1t, and, albeit they have never crossed to the
continent in their life. they tell you fatty that
their shops are much handsomer than any In
Paris. You really want to believe them they
lie SO earnestly. Yet there is one thing the
JerSeymen may bray about until he dislocates
his jaw, and am sure he will not succeed in
overpraising-the beauty of the women have
met everywhere on this lovely island a dozen
dozen OF girls far handsomer than the Lily of
which 1t boasts. This is, doubtless the reason
WY the members OF the Royal Yacht club find
II 50 pleasant and convenient to linger here for
months at a time: 1t Is their bount eous patron
thriving place; for, whether 1t be the equable
climate or the pretty girls both, certain it is
nat my Lord Duke, tarrying here from August
IN december, contriveS at once to enrich its
cltIzens and have a "dem jolly time" himself
mus dld that great and good man-the bene-
the Prince of Wales-His grace, the Duke of
iEeGford, who discovered the Jersey Lily
The rectory stands in the heart of the town,
rus " uroe The clean granite stones and white
~hutters show dimiy through the thick hedge
and tall, outrageous trees. ASH approached
by the gravel path the front door opened and
out came the Dean, very handsome and dis
iaqae, indeed, as Madame at the hotel had
said. LII you will add two or three inches to
to his weight, remodel his jaw and lower lip
upon the English plan, and trim his whiskers,
You VIII have the Deans double.
Talking commonplace for time, I finally
broke the ice with:
How do you regard your daughters entrance
upon the Stage?'
"Oh, 1 don't know" said he, smiling. 81
really haven't thought much about it, She is
me best judge now of her own conduct. She is
old enough, don't you think?"
"HOw old is Sheo'
I'm afraid Lily wouldn't wish me to tell. Not
that she's much older than she looks, but age,
you know, Is woman's only secret. The finest
Christian lady ever knew would lie about her
age to ne-once vowed she was only forty years
old, with tears in her eyes, whereas the parish
record showed her to be sixty
"HaVe You ever heard of Mr.. Gebhard?"
The dean looked wicked for an instant, and
then said colby: ~ think Mr.. Gebhard is q fool.
am sure Lily has been misunderstood I'm this
matter You Americans doubtless believe her
to be very shrewd and knowing in the ways of
the world but she is not. have often cautioned
implicit confidence In people to lead her into
relations which would be miScOnstrued to her
socia! hurt She takes after me In this respect,
and can only pity, not chide her."
Have you heard her play yet?'
"Only as an amateur. But am sure she has tai.
ent and will succeed. You see the great difficult.
~ is that her old unfortunate fame as beauty
predisposed the critics against her. and It M ust
be some time before the real merit that she un-
uouotedly possesses can eradicate this preju-
dice from their minds. But that time will come:
we are sure of it, absolutely sure
10 You Keep up any communication with
Mr.. Laugtry:'
None whatever. But have nothing harsh
affairs take up all my time and attention, and I
can give nut brief consideration to Lily's They
were no doubt eXtravagant while in London
looiIshly so, believe, and are now engaged In
1t is often very profitable, if not pleasant, en-
ployment, You know