Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-18
MARY ANDERSON.

It's little wonder that bnlS SOrC OF Un1nG an
noyed Mary There are two stories told
about the cause of this terrific criticism. The
one most creditable to the critics is to the eff
feet that st. Louis was angry because the en-
gagement was but for five nights and the
SPECTATORS bought up the good seats The
other goes that the supply Of deadhead tick
cts was too small to suit the newspapers.
Neither of these alleged reasons are such as
should influence the critic. In fact, writers
who would crafty spite in dramatic criti-
cisms are disgrace to the profession OF jour
nalisn.
BVT NOT CAUSE FOR DISCOURAGEMENT.
But it was matter of wonder that wo-
man Of such strength of character as Miss
Anderson should be completely upset by the
vaporings Of such alleged critics as those Of
st. Louis. And it is to be hoped that she
may be seen many times upon the stage in
future Miss Anderson had received little
if any, thorough instruction when she made
her debut, according to one who has written
of her earliest dramatic life, and it required
great courage and determination to make
the attempt. She had talked with poor Bar
ney Macauley, who advised her to accept a
position with some good company and gradu-
ally work her way upward. But Mary An
derson, a mere slip of girl, did not coincide
with his views. She had higher aspirations
She had always pictured herself as star of
no mean magnitude, and she could not easily
relinquish the idea.
Barney Macauley was large hearted man,
and though he predicted a failure for the
young aspirant for histrionic honor, he gave
her all the aid in his power. Macauley's
theatre in Louisville was placed at her dis
posal, and Mrs. Macauley, herself an actress
and q woman sympathetic and kind, gener-
ously loaned the young girl some Of her Own
costumes. The white satin dress in which
the fair Juliet appeared, and which caused
considerable comment because OF its being
too short for Miss Andersons tall figure, was
Rachel Macauley's So unaccustoned was
Miss Anderson to such costumes that during
the balcony scene she actually stumbled over
her train
Popular opinion was divided, some sympa-
thizing with the young girl, while Others
thought that she had lost caste and decided
that she should be incontinently snubbed.
However, Mr. Watterson was in sympathy
with the actress, and The Courier-Journal
the following morning contained lengthy
account of her debut, claiming it to have been
signal success.
SNCBBED.
There was story told Of Miss Anderson
about that time which, If ever she recalls il,
rlust cause a smile Of self pride and satisfac-
ton Not long after her debut she was one
day going along Fifth avenue, New York,
near the cathedral, when she saw coming to-
ward her an old friend.
Miss Andersons face frightened instantly,
then faint flush overspread it. for she saw
no answering smile On the face OF her friend
Nearer and nearer they came, but the other
woman, looking Miss Anderson full in the
face, passed her by as a stranger. 1t was the
cut direct, ana Miss Anderson's face was
crimson. Poor girl il was rather hard to have
old friends cast her of
But that was loas time ago. In the years
that have passed sinos Miss Anderson has won
fame and niore-the respect OF the world;
perhaps size doesn't know the other young
woman now.
Atany rate she numbers among her friends
many whom the other woman would be glad
70 know. Among them is Lord Teanyson-
She visited him last summer during her holi-
day. at his beautiful home IN the Isle OF
Wight, and when she returned to America
she brought with her certain treasures, which
are the gift Of tie poet, in the shape Of several
lyrics which have never been polished Two
at least were inspired by the lovely Eernione
and Perdita herself, and Others are verses
suited for recitation
During her visit there il IL said she used TO
I'll his pipe for him, while he used to oestow
upon her all sorts OF poetical pet names
AT REHEARSAL
There is no doubt but Miss Anderson used
to work very hard al rehearsalS Here Is
passage from description Q. one published
last year:
IT is bis ki9hnsss, .nlaRSure that TIA -u1een,