Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-30
Grace Hawthorne, the Actress, Who
Is "Only an Americun Girl"


"How did you become an actresss"
this is a well-worn question, submit
ted to artistes by curious people who
seem to think it strange, more excep~
tional, and peculiar for young per
son to adopt a career upon the dra-
matte stage, than to enter the legal,
medical or other professions. In
reality-the motives and impetus are
not unlike-the qualifications and the
necessary elements for success, are
more pronounced and hazardous for
the actor than for the physician, law
yer or politician All professions are
crowded, even insulted by q swarm of
would be actors who have neither
capabilities nor character for their
much wished for calling. Where
there is a just amount Of hard work
to be done before medium success is
reached, the fanciful, inefficient aspi
rants are not so numerous.
The stage, from its favor Of mystery
and Ideally, has been general VIC
tim grand for most people whose curl
osity and love of excitement exceeded
their brains than any other profession
in the world. Ne other profession re-
ouires such absolute wear and tear of
the physical and mental, and yet ap-
pears to the public such an easy labor.
To young semi>stage e-struck people,
ambitious amateurs and regiments Of
society Hamlets, Juliets and Othellos
the experience OF young actors is a
fascinating subject. There is none on
the modern stage In this country,
whose child-life and girlhood are
more attractive to the readers, stage
romances and lovers of stage art than
that of Grace Hawthorne.
Born in Bangor, Me-, of the true
blue American parentage, one Of an
unusually gifted trio of girls. all of
whom possess some rare talent to an
exceptional degree. That she was
bright, merry girl, is mirrored truth
fully forth in her face every time she
laughs-tnat she was a rOmp, an eX-
pert in mischief is proverbial from her
home circle to her school days; she
was full Of comedy-bent on "as good
a time as any other grip during her
short-dress days. She was as good
bareback rider Of any horse that was
good enough to keep on his feet as the
intrepid riders of the ring-in fact the
little girl Grace was a hoyden Of the
best school. 10 hear and see her
, laugh now suggests sort of picnic
impression that is destructive to ali
formality. AS a child she was credit
TO the schools she attended She
stored away knowledge where others
skipped the hard words" and when
taste began to develop she was as
artistic as if she had been brought up
in some artists cabinet den of casts
and models. Some CLEANS of what is
possible in ones nature finds outlet in
childish tastes and incidents of little
value and importance. When about
years old Miss Grace gave recita>
ton upon a certain occasion in school.
Her selection was out of the general
groove of schoolgirl recitations,
mainly composed of poems and dia-
logues. She had her own ideas of
recitation, and quite astonished her
peers by giving Irving's prose sketch,
''The Indian as He Was and Is.
AS she grew, both in years and in
dividuality, her dramatic taste grew
also She read and studied everything
she could command relating to the
drama. She did not have the benefit
of attending theaters; her instincts
and tastes were not guided or fashion
ioned by favorable opportunities to
witness theatrical performances. Her
parents would have as soon thought
of putting their child into beer eel
lar as waitress as to encourage her
attendance at any theater. Straight~
laced, after old Puritan fashion, all
theaters Ia their estimation were but
SO many rapid-transit highways to
eternal misery and disgrace.
To the date when Miss Grace herself
began her stage life she had not wit
messed dozen plays; she had seen
but few artists, and they were Lolita,
Maggie Mitchell and 8 few others at
the prime of their best days. Still,
she studied and pursued her latent
inspiration in reading and searching
; after knowledge. She was a happy
spirit IN these studies. and at twelve
years of age Grace had high aud mag
nincent castles of her own future. IN
> her imaginary palace, she was great
writer, a political woman's right adj
? vocate, power among men and
women. She reveled in her mind pic.
lures as the heroine of every great re
9 form and public measure that COM
! manded the worlds attention A most
q interesting incident occurred in her
: Dung lie about this time
There was to be Sunday school
exhibition ia the town where her
family lived near Chicago. The pro-
gramme of music, recitations, etc., in
cluded Grace. as the reader of the
! Lords prayer. Of course the great
: hall was packed with loving parents
and relatives, who saw in their own
> kith and kin, and kids, the future
greatness of the American nation.
:, Grace began the prayer. Reveren-
: tial regard, and the striking attitude
of the little reader, as she raised her
, eyes heavenward, reduced the audi
L ence to that intense silence that oper-
ates SO effectively on some natures
| during their performance. 1t SO act
r ed upon Grace. She began to feel