Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-06
MrsrellantGns.
A Chat with Little Corinne.

The YOUNG PRIMA DoNNA's LONGING TO
ACT IN NEW YORK.-HER STORY OF A
CHICKEN. SwEETIE THINKS OF
ABE HUMMEL AND JUDGES IN GENERAL.
1t was quite bride-like little vision
that futtered into the private box that l
was occupying the other night at the
Academy of Music and smilingly placed a
dainty jewelled hand within mine. with
the least hint OF pout and the words:
isn't it too bad that they won't let me
play? Just sing ,ha' one song! Oh if
they would only IL, me act in New York
just once"
1 think if Elbrige T. Gerry could have
seen the wistfulness of Little Corinne's
face at that moment. and heard the ex.
pressiveness of that .'oh ~ he could have
no more withstood the child than an icicle
can the sunshine.
Never mind. my DEAR" answered l..
You are getting nice rest"
.'Oh it don't tire me bit to act" was
the quick reply, followed by: why,
when am playing l never get up until IL
and always take nap after the after
noon performance. have my breakfast
at IL. never care much about dinner,
but when I'm singing" Here she
paused and with comlcal little grimace
added: Il could eat whole chicken, I'm
so hungry"
Laug Ching heartily at the naivete of her
expression, l said: Il suppose you eat
something. then, between the acts ?''
"Yes, have eggs and milk ard sugar
beat up together, and sometimes raw eggs
but can't bear them. don't like any
thing to eat that is good for me. I near
ly cried myself sick after they wouldn't
let me 90 on and wouldn't eat a bit. :"
Then with wise shake OF her waxen
wig she added: "I've had lots to do with
law. Abe Hummel. he's real nice; but
judges are awful stern, aren't they p"
On my replying that judges oftentimes
had to appear what they were not, she
exclaimed, earnestly: why, when I'm
working can have twice as nice a time
with my dolls. | don't get so tired of
playing with them then but papa has
made me music box now. It's like an
organ. / have lots of fun with it. |
grind it all day - and the little actress,
with roguish smile. ground away at the
side of the stage box.
.Do you like to read e'' was my next
question.
'.Oh, yes. Mamma always likes to see
what read, though; but" here my lit
tie friends dark eyes fairly seemed to
dance with merriment. and the laughter
dubbed up between her expressive lips as
she added, sometimes get hold of a
novel, and just hug t." and suiting the
action to the words. little Corinne went
through pantomimic gesture of embrac-
ing herself with considerable archness.
'Who taught you to sing so prettily? ''
| here interposed.
"Oh, nobody but mamma. 1t comes
natural. You know my grandpapa was a
singer, and papa is a musician and man.
mas quite an actress. It's in the family"
vouchsafed the little star, Struggling her
small shoulders with just the right Pari-
sian accent.
You have wig on have you notP"
inquired.
"Yes, have lots of wigs. People think
my own hair is black, but it isn't, It's
dark brown, like my eyes," and Corinne
raised the floating locks of her blonde Golf
teur to show me the dark tresses beneath.
"What do you thinkp' continued the
Young artist. IL have a cousin, and one
of her eyes is part blue and part brown. l
always ask her if she can see with it. and
she says she can. just as well as can
but it looks so funny. Whenever | meet
anybody with anything like that the mat
ter with them. want to know if it hurts.
1t seems as if it must, to me-" Then
glancing at the stage, she remarked,
"Don't they do it well?" referring to the
chorus ladies, who were executing a very
pretty movement. "Mamma drilled them
she works awfully hard"
"And mamma has all to do for you. |
suppose?" interrupted I.
"Oh, no; | always make up my face
and dress myself. OF course, can't put
on my wig or button up my dresses. but
have maid who braids my hair and does
such things" Then, with another little
burst of confidence. she calculated: II
don't like anything STACEY. do you? When
Pm playing, if l drop my handkerchief.
don't make any fuss about it. Just
grab it up So" and with a dexterous
movement of her hand this clever little
star gave me her idea of accomplishing
the manGuvre in a natural manner, as she
continued with; Mamma teaches me all
my stage business. She is such a clever
artist"
81 believe l heard Mr.. Randolph call
you Sweetie, did not ?" | asked.
"Yes, that's my-mv home name. All
my friends call me Sweetie," was the
smiling reply. followed by. 81 am sorry.
but must go now: mamma wants me to
60 to bed early tonight, "and, with win
ming graciousness, Sweetie held toward
me rose she had plucked from small
bouquet in her hand, saying: "Would you
not like this white rose ?" Then assuming
all the aplomb of a society dame. the d.
minutive prima donna bade me good
night.
As the door closed upon this carefully
guarded and royalty -cared-for child of the
stage the thought came to me of the many
little hungry. homeless waits with never a
loving or kindly word. nothing but kicks
and oaths and drugery in their lives, and
reflected. if rs much alertness was shown
in rescuing those shelterless buds from
hunger and iufamy as there was in trying
to suppress child actresses our prisons