The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-03
OUR MARY's SECRET ENEMY.
Foolish Jealousy Arms Woman's Han'
Against Miss Anderson.


When the dramatic critics oil the 81.
Louis newspapers impaled Miss Mary
Anderson on their pens on the occasion
OF her last appearance in that city the rea-
son for their action was far from evident
Their onslaught upon Miss Anderson
seemed absolutely without cause But
there was one, and reasonable explana'
ton OF the whole matter has at last come
to light. There was woman in the case.
Her name is Miss Sarah Cecil, and just at
present she is travelling abroad for her
health In company with her sister and a
nurse, seeking rest for her body, which is
worn by illness, and repose for her mind,
which is weakened by excessive study.
Judging by her own actions, Miss Cecil is
a monomaniac, whose affection takes the
form Of an undying enmity to Mary An
derson aud few OF her personal friends.
The causes which led to this condition OF
affairs are appropriately theatrical, and are
as follows:
Miss Sarah Cecil Is the possessor OF
pretty face, a glrlish figure and q powerful
mezzo-soprano voice. Her father was
james q. Cecil, OF Kentucky, and she was
born near the town Of Danvlle in that
State. Her education was acquired at
Vassar College, where her course was in
terrupted by the death OF her father, and
a long aud severe Illness, from the effects
Of which she did not wholly recover for
several years She filled up the interim
by studying the dramatic art with Mrs.
Kath srine Westendorl, Of Cincinnati.
During the summer Of 1883 Miss Cecil
went to Europe. where she spent eight
months. In 1894 she left Paris by the adj
vice Of an eminent physician and came
back TO America, where she re-entered
Vassar College and graduated the same
year. Coming to New York, she entered
q school OF acting and remained student
Of dramatic art until she made her PROBES.
sional debut M songtrcss ut Chickering
Hall, September II, 1886.
II Ia generally understood that the in
structor ut the theatrical school uncon.
sciously made u decided impression upon
the susceptible Miss Cecil. When he lett
the institution temporarily TO I'LL con-
tract with Miss Anderson. by which he
was TO rcarrange play selected by her for
production, Miss Cecil is reported 10 have
become extremely jealous The instruc-
tors relations with Miss Anderson were OF
purely business nature, but Miss Cecil
: iamcicd that he was paying her attentions,
aud this suspicion led TO several scenes be-
tween herself and the teacher When she
left the city the affair was thought TO have
been mutually forgotten.
Some time ago certain dramatic critics
OF this aud other cities began to receive
letters from abroad containing stories aud
statements TO the dlscredit of Mary AMBER
son, and aliributing to her sentiments cal
cuated TO offend her fellow .countrymen.
Coupled with these were vague mentions
OF mysterious conspiracy against the
writer, aud occasionally q bitter line or so
devoted to the poet, William Winter, who
/ Is close friend OF Miss Anderson. These
communications bore the signature "S
Cecil" TING cdliC ON one OF the leading
New York dailirs was specially favored by
this correspondent in the way OF unsOlic-
itel information. "S. Cecil" wrote 10 him
repeatedly, at one time inclosing very
bitter attack upon Miss Anderson. with a
request that il bc published. The next
letter contained a check for S25, and the
following one q statement that the writer
would have sent n second contribution
but the chrck-book had been mislaid.
Al this point the critic received tho fol
lowing note from George w. Wingltc, .
Wingitc u Cullen, lawyers, No. ~ Nassau
street.
Nrw YoHN. Feb T. lisa
Dear Sir-Wc have acted for some time
ns counsel for Miss Sarah Cecil, and | am
now In receipt Of various letters from hci
containing requests To confer with YOU.
also learn that you have received similar
letters. II Is clear TO the from the letters
! have received that Miss Cecil Ia in such d
condition OF mind ~ not TO bc responsible
ior what she says. Her relatives ARE very
2 much alarmed about her aud trust will
take steps To investigate her mental coudi
ton without delay. shall not consider
myself authorized 70 take any Of the steps
that she asked me 30 take. As the letters
| which YOU have received may not have
7 disclosed To you Miss Ccci's mental condi.
ton | write you in order TO caution YOU
from using them ~ the foundation for any
thing which may become public, or In lac I
: from paying any attention to them. have
a very high regard for Miss Cecil. and Il Ia
with great regret that lind her mind Ia
this condition. Respectfully yours,
GEoR0E W. WiNoArE.
The critic , mcdiairly sent the letters
: and check which he had received 10 Mr..
( Wingie, aud was given In return receipt
! and a letter Of thanks.
Edgar :. Werner, proprietor Of lTcrnor',
I TOioc Mdgd;iHs, also received q number OF
, letters from ''S. Cecil" in which
William Winter received thorough alS.
ing over the Goals, aud numerous refer.
L cnccs were made TO the aforementioned
mysterious conspiracy against the writer.
Mr. Werner has also received u warning
+ letter from winghlc 4 Cullen, but wacu
+ Mr. Wingilc wis seen by a llOId reporter
2. hedcnied that Miss Coed had written any
' thing To the American criticB attacking
Mis-, Anderson.
"Shc Is suffering from nervous dcprcs
sion produced by hard work." hc said,
. land her sister has gone 10 London 90 take
= care Of her. These stories about her arr
u all nonsense
II Is certain that - Cecl's" letters
u went To the critics OF other cities bc.idc
New York. There Is an overwhelming
/, probability that a few might have found
their way 10 ~ Louis. Have the attacks
OF an alleged weak.minlcl woman In one
I. hemisphere contributed Ia strain the men.
tai powers OF her unconscious enemy In
\ / uuafh.FV