The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-20

hemlock and apple trees, beautiful gardens,
fragrant with white clover, cabbage roses
and sweet briar. Entering a gateway, pic
turesQue with huge piles of lichen and
mOss-covered rocks, we are on the grounds,
superbly beautiful, cool and shady. Birds
of every description, their little Threats
bursting with melody. were pouring forth
their peans of praise in a fearless, joyous
union. Gray squirrels scampered along
the closely mOwn lawn; great round-eyed
rabbits hoped lazily aside at the approach
of the carriage, utterly without fear, as they
knew not what unkinduess meant We stop
for a moment beneath giant chestnut tree !;
a huge monarch twenty-five feet in circum-
ference, while we are told that this tree is
famous as the one around which the saw
ages, years ago, danced to the aceompant-
ment Of the shTieks Of their captiyes
doomed to torture. We hurry past this re-
miGder of baTbarism, and through the mass
Of luXuriant green substantial square
house is seen, surrounded with wide bal
cODy literally buried in clematis and sweet
smelling honey suckle a small sign bear
ing the legend Beware the Dogs" is fas-
tened to a giant Norway pine. A moment
later We think the warning apropos. A
noisy welcome greets US. 1t is canine
choir. The shrill treble from the tiny
throat of q dlminutiVe Yorkshire terrier,
through the entire chromatic scale, to the
deep bay from the red throat of a magnifi-
cent mastiff, is distinguished. We dash
along the graveled drive, and with whoa,
Make" the carriage stops, the door flies
open, and in neat lavender-cOlOred gown,
with the hue OF health upon her cheeks and
in her bright eyes and a grip worthy
plOwman, we shake hands with that great
exposition OF the emotions, Clara Morris.
Through an immense wide hallway, eX-
quisitely furnished, we were ushered into a
perfectly appointed drawing-room, which,
at glance, bespoke comfort, ease and
elegance. BTic-a-bTac in plenty, though not
obtrusive, was observable. Portraits OF
historic value adorned the walls. Over the
piano hung fine erayon of the owner of
these beautiful things, while a Japanese
screen that shut out the angle near the side
window represented her again in the dress
of lady of Japan. This is a rare work of
art and has history as interesting as the
arch face adorning it. Peeping from OBJ
scure angles, as though afraid 10 intrude
among So many mastery works Of art, are
seen number of unique and pleasing speci-
mems of the celebrated actress cleverness
with the graver, chisel and point. But
turn in whatever direction we might our
eyes Invariably return to the owner of this
beautiful home, and we cannot help saying,
But, Miss Morris, l thought you were an
chair out on the lawn and sympathize with
you"
A ringing. hearty laugh greets this re-
mark. Il an invalid no, indeed; IF
you were to see Creole aud l racing over
hill and dale every morning you would
speedily change your mind Even if so in
clined I've no time to be sick; I'm too
busy"
"Studying dramatic art, eh9"
No, indeed. What with my home du-
ties, my crocheiing, my painting and carV-
ing, the time l give 10 reading. horseback
riding and my numerous pets. my art, l am
afraid, gets but little attention."
But still you devote much time to the
stage?"
to-day are so many and so complex, and the
new recruits so numerous, that much time
must OF necessity be given to preparatory
work"
Speaking of new recruits, Miss Morris,
is this marked increase in the army of pro-
fessionals indicative Of the advancement Of
the artP"
mot so much, think, as it denotes the
growth of appreciation. The prejudices
against the stage and the bigOtry of the
oyeT-religious have of late years been grad
ually overcome. The number of theater-
goers has increased and the demand for at
system. and all:these things put together are
responsible for the multitude of One-part
actors and actresses that now exist"
"Th" stage, in your opinion, has mis-
sion, j it not?"
"Mo"t assnredly. The dramatic art is so
fit and -iexibl vehicle for teaching and
amusement that it is not exaggerating al
all to say that the stage has a mission.
Even the church has not disdained to bOr-
row its robes, though they nay be show
and does educate, its chief mission Is 10 re-
leve the mind-to afford diversion and
make people forget themselves and their
troubles"
do you consider the influence of the
stage elevating?"
Directed in the proper channels, yes.
Many wholesome truths, noble sentiments
and far-reaching morals emanate from the
stage. Then again, the stage inspires
thought 1t directs the mind away from the
eHeryescent side of life to the serious and
real things that exist, on which we might
possibly never spend moment but for
tnelr presentation upon the stage. But
tnore, we rarely speak Of things theatrical
mere; as said before. am too busy"
=, 100 busy Iegaining your health ?"
No, indeed; too busy enjoying it,"
OF what does this tremendous press Of
business consistP
Now l see you are laughing; but Il Ia no
laughing matter. arise very early in the
morning to enjoy that luxury so boundless
here, so unpurchasable in the city-pure
sweet, fresh air-while you are ENJOYING a
beauty nap, l have fve-mile gallop on
Creole's back through vale and dell. light
breakfast of fruits and vegetables, fresh
from the garden, hasty glance at the
morning papers, just to see what the great
world is doing, and then ont among my
pets There are half a dozen horses whose
great kind eyes look for me every morning
as many cows and almost twice that num-
Der Of impatient dogs. who imagine all my
time should be spent In caressing them.
Then come the squirrels and birds:
They require great deal OF attention II