The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-02-25
DIARY OF A MANAGER.
How Hs Finally Worked the Press So Hi
Star Caught On"

How Hs Finally Worked the Press So His
Star Caught On"
Jan. 20.-One Mary Brown came 10
me to-day and wished to make a
contract to star. | promised to see her
again tomorrow, when would Judge of
her ability.
Jan. 2l.-Miss Brown really has much
talent. Her voice is very good and her
gestures natural. | have half mind to
engage her.
Feb. 2.-Signed contract with Miss
Brown. She is very enthusiastic, and
is willing to work hard. | believe / can
make something out of her
Feb. 14.-Company engaged and in re-
hearsal. | have billed Miss Brown as q
talented American girl. | am going to
put her forward simply on her merits.
Feb. l5.-Saw some of the critics to-
day and tod them who Miss Brown was.
i said that she based her patronage en-
WAS not starring an elegant wardrobe and
lot OF jewels. ] laid considerable
stress on the fact that she was simply an
American girl who Was going on the
stage because she honestly believed she
was fitted for it. They did not seem
very much interested.
Feb. l8.-Miss Browns debut set for
the oath. The papers have hardly men,
toned her outside of their advertising
columns. The editors say the public is
not interested in histrloDic debutantes.
Feb. 24.-Advance sale very small.
Papers have almost entirely ignored the
opening.
Feb. 2J-No house at all last night
Papers were very lukewarm this morn
ing. They damn by faint praise" asked
one of the critics about her and he said
20, she is very gooG-very good indeed
but then there is not much to say about
her. you know"
March Losing money right along.
Another week of this sort and pll be
busted. l must do something.
March 81 net the critic of the Bugle
on the streets this morning and invited
him in to have a bottle of champagne.
Over the wine / informed him that Miss
Brown wasn't an American girl at all
that she WAS an English duchess travel
ing lncog. to escape the brutal treat
ment of her husband, and that she had
in her trunk $4,000 worth of jewels
which she dared not wear lest they
should reveal her identity.
March 4.-The Bugle had a column
and half on the duchess this morning.
The critic of the Investigator called this
morning to ascertain the truth of the ar
ticle. | told him that it WAS lie from
beginning to end; that Miss Brown was
no more a duchess than she was q
queen that her real name was Henriet-
ia Montmorency, and that the story
probably arose from the fact that she
bad ruined the Duke of Lawntennis. l
called his attentionIto the little diamonds
that she wore in her ears and told him
they were heirlooms of the house of
Lawntennis. Of fabulous value, which
the duke in his mad infatuation had
given her. ! notice that the advance
sale is much larger to-day.
March Big house last night. In
vestigator gave two columns to Henriet-
Ia Montmorency this morning Miss
Brown called at nay Office to ask what the
meaning of it all was, and | advised her
to sue for lsbel, putting damages at
$500, 900. Might as well make a splurge
| while we're about it. / hunted up the
critic of the Crier and told him that my
star had been grossly maligned; that she
was an English lady of high rank who
| was spending her time in this country
while her husband got divorce from
her on the grounds Of infdelity.
| March 6.-Crler gave me two columns
| this morning, and the Bugle had an ed.
! Itorial answering the Investigator ar
| ticle of yesterday. The Call had Miss
Browns denial of everything, and col
umn write up for her libel suit. Busi.
| ness is booming. My star had three re-
calls last night, and there was line two
blocks long at the box Office when
went down this morning.
March Miss Brown was recalled
seventeen times last night. Seats al
| sold for two weeks ahead. The critic
of the investigator pounded the critic OF
| the Bugle this morning. | think III
leave town for a few weeks. Bushes.
will take care of itself for while.