Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09


vA presentations of dram
S532-l attic heroes who ough
n: to be slightly, ant
that he had at las
been compelled to stop acting in the middl
Of the season, disband company engages
in the representation Of a new drama, lose
heavy investment of money in scenery. cos
tunes and other expenses of an elaborate
theatrical enterprise, and submit himself Il
the surgeons.
Once before his ailment had incapacitatet
him, but long stay at German watering
place had relieved him considerably, and ht
had returned to The mimic life of the stage
But very quickly swelling began to form
again at the front of his neck, and this in.
creased steadily in size until it transformed
his facial lines into veritable carieature
One night he exclaimed to a member of his
company, between the acts of "Ganelon, u
in response to an effort to belittle his ugli-
ness: I'm fit to be an exhibit in dime
museum, but not to act tragic parts. can
see the people examining me through their
TO BOSTON FOR HELP.
Mr.. Barrett is sensitively proud gentle
man. He resolved to take himself at once
from public sight, and have recourse to that
surgical treatment which had been too long
delayed. Thereupon the company was dis
banded, and the tragedian went to Boston
for help. At No. Louisburg square,
which leads from Mt. Vernon street, the
northern boundary of the gilt-domed Capitol
on Beacon street, is an old-fashioned brick
building, whose front windows overlook
small oval-shaped park. The plot is in
closed by high iron fence, whose palings
are in the shape of spear heads. There is
no opening in these formidable barriers, and
no one knows how long it has been since hu-
man foot trespassed upon the almost sacred
ground. At one end of the space stands a
granite statu of Diogenes, and at the other,
Columbus, done in marble.
The bnildint is known as the dispensary
OF st. Margaret's Hospital, an institution
supported by patients who go there for
treatment. 1t is presided over by the
Sisters of st. Margaret, an order belonging
to the Episcopal Church, who first came to
this country IL years ago. A pull at the
big silver plated doorbell summoned a neat
appearing servant girl. A card was passed
to her and she disappeared up long fight
ol stairs whose further terminus was lost in
the darkness. The writer betook himself TO
q large parlor which led off the hallway to
the right, and made leisurely survey of the
surroundings while waiting for reply from
above. The room was high-studied and fur
nished very sparingly with old-fashioned
chairs, a center table, a wire fower-stand,
two little cabinets of books, an ancent-look-
ing SOFA, and snow-white lace curtains;
while on the great wall-spaces were hung a
few pictures on religious subjects.
TWO OPERATIONS PERFORMED.
After the lapse of not more than minute
9 trim little woman, dressed in gray habit
and scapuls, with big black cross hanging
from a cord about her neck, appeared in the
broad doorway and softly inquired OF what
service she could be.
"Is this the place where Lawrence Barrett
was treated?" inquired the writer.
1T is, was the response in the same vel
vetv voice.
"Will you kindly inform me as to his con-
ditiOn upon his departure for Europe?''.
81 understand that he is getting along as
comfortably as could be expected under the
circumstances. After going away from here
he resided at the Hotel Vendome. 1 sun
pose you know that there were two opera
tions performed on his neck E? Yes he was
here twice, but understand he does not
want his second visit made public. His
second coming to the hospital was on the
10th Of last December, and he left on the
Path. linen he came back on the 9th of jan
uarv, had another operation, and lett again
In the middle of the month. His attending
physicians were Surgeon Morris II. Rich
srdsOn, OF 224 Beacon street, and DR.. ], P.
Oliver, of the Hotel Berkeley, who made
the diagnosis. 1t was very skillful and
successful treatment of Mr.. Barrett's dis.
ease, so says our Sister Superior"
fWhat was Mr.. Barrett's mental condi-
tiOn while with you?"
CHEERFUL IN HIS TROUBLE.
HE was very cheerful at all times and
full of fun. I saw him standing at the win
dow one day, and asked him how he felt.
and he replied: AS we'll as ever; haven't
you seen me titivating for the young ladies
opposite?' One day l was conversing in a
low tone with his wife, and he wanted TO
know what we were talking about. re-
piled: 'Oh, these are only stage Whispers
not realizing at the moment that he was an
actor. He saw the Joke at once. and Joined |
in the laughter which the reply evoked. He
sent letter to the Superior the other day. |
IN which he expressed great hope of the |
future and belief that he was forever rid |
o his terrible afliction. His appetite was |
very good indeed while here. During the |
two days after the operations he took moth |
ing but broth, but from that time he ate any, |
thing his appetite called for"
After thanking the soft-voiced sister for
her information, tine writer next went over
TO the Vendome, where it was learned that |
he had occupied suite of rooms on the
second floor, on the Commonwealth avenue
side, almost opposite the handsome statue of
Garrison, the pioneer of Abolitionism. He
lived here quietly with his wife and daugh-
ter, and was seldom seen outside his rooms
On two occasions he went for short walk
and returned looking as if the exercise had
done him no end of good. He did not 90
down to his meals, for the fatigue would |
have been too great, and the liability of sit
ting in draught might have resulted dam
THE TRAGEDIAN'S PROGRAMME.
Mr.. Barrett and his family will remain in /
Europe year. They will pass the winter
ut Pau. in the south of France. and next
summer 60 to Kreuznach, Germany, a IA
nous watering place. His daughter is the
wife of Mary Anderson's brother, and he
will have their society part of the time,
The next place visited by your correspond