Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-15
MARY AT THE ALTAR.
Why Miss Anderson VIII Never visr 81
louis Again.

l W ny 1ls5s AAutIeOu VIII NetcE WISH ST
| louis Again.
The story of Miss Mary Andersor's
troubles in st. Louis has been but half told,
and the reason that has been assigned for
her determination never again to act in
that city is not the true one at all. That
the gutter criticism to which she was
treated by the st. Louis papers was not
pleasant reading to lady of Miss Ander-
sons character is undoubtedly true, but
she could read it with comparative COM
placency, knowing that it could in no
way iniure her, Professionally or So
cially. The theater was packed to
witness each of her performances, in spite
of the vulgar attempts to ipiure her
business by the newspaper men, so that
she and Mr.. Abbey could well afford to
laugh at her critics. while they gath
cred in the golden dollars of st. Louis. 1t
was not this that decided her to shake the
dust of the city from her feet, and never
soil her shoes with it again. This decision
was brought about by an affront to her
tenderest feelings as woman, made by an
obscure little sheet whose name would
hardly be recognized if it was mentioned,
and which will not, therefore, receive the
benefit of a free advertisement here. The
story, as told by one of Miss Anderson's
dearest friends, is here printed for the first
time.
Mary Anderson is devout Catholic.
and she never lets anything interfere with
what she considers her duties as such.
Wherever she may be, it is her custom to
attend early mass regularly, in all kinds of
weather and under all circumstances. She
Is modest and transformations in her deyo-
lions, always seeking to avoid observation.
and on this account, instead of going to
cathedrals or large churches, she seeks out
the small and unassuming edifces, where
she can attend to her devotional exercises
unobserved by the curious Her maid is
also very deyout Catholic, and the two
are accustomed to go to mass together.
In st. Louis one morning Miss Anderson
and her maid took cab and drove in the
direction Of a little Catholic church. with
the intention of attending early mass.
The carriage was stopped before the church
was reached, and mistress and maid walked
to the edifice. As they entered, Miss An
derson noticed that not single man was
present except the priest A few poor
women and girls were at the altar, and
having asked permission of the priest to
Join the communion, which was, of course.
gladly given, the actress and her maid
knelt together and worshipped humbly
with the poor people around them. As
they left the church Miss Anderson noticed
solitary man sitting in the back, who
watched her intently as she passed out.
She Was sure she had not passed him in
entering, and something seemed to force it
on her mind that his presence there was
in some way connected with her devotions.
Before nightfall this impression was deep
ened to certainty, for the streets of St.
Louis were ringing with the cry, "Mary
Anderson at the altarw shrieked from the
Threats of a hundred news-boys.
The paper referred to was selling rap
idly, and the cause of the demand was a
long article telling how a reporter had
logged Miss Anderson to the church, and
describing her every movement as she was
engaged at her devotions A number of
pictures, including one showing her kneel-
ing at the altar, illustrated the article,
which was written in the typical Western
style. When Miss Anderson saw it she
burst into tears. The vulgar description
of her acting had not affected her, but this
intrusion into the privacy of her most
sacred moments wounded her as no other
insult could have done. 1t was then that
she declared that she would never again
visit st. Louis, and those who know her
best sa, that she never changes her mind
when once it is made up.