The Critic and record., 1891-05-05
MRS LANGTRY.
now She Captures Tho critics.

How She Captures the Critics.
From the Chicago NcaS
Perhaps the most sagacious angler for
critics Is Mrs Lily Langtry. Itis said that
she never yet failed to capture the critics
with whom she once had conversation
oh, she is very smooth party, is Mrs.
Lily Langtryl
For years she sought an interview with
our Mr. Edward !. Mcphelm, dramatic
critic OF the Chicago Tribune, but that
young gentleman was cunning enough TO
elude the snares so diligently and skill
fully spread for him, and this he did so
amiabiy nay, so sweetly. that the fair
huntress, so far from being piqued, be.
came the more eager in her pursuit of her
game.
1t matters not how shrewd how long
sighted and how deXteTous we menfolk
are, even the best of us are compelled only
to yield to the superior craft of woman
kind. So ii was, after many years and a
long and varied pursuit that brother Nc
Phelim fell into the tolls of the lovely
Langtry-bagged at last as simply, as
easily and as beautifully as If, instead of
an argus eyed, phobiac critic, he had been
the unwariest snipe that ever stallied his
native fen
There is a suspicion that our persuasive
friend, Mr., Leigh 5. Lynch, who was
NlltAI hllss IihihliN , lildlluEtIs WIS Ill Va
boots with the fair actress in the scheme
to capture Brother McPhelim, but Mr..
Lynch stoutly denies the soft impeach-
ment At any rate it was Mr.. Lynch who,
by the merest chance, met Brother Nc
Phelim upon the street one day and cas-
ually suggested that Brother McPheim
drop around on the morrow and lunch
with him at the Grand Pacific.
Anybody else going to be there %
asked McPhelim, cautiously.
Not q soul" answered Mr.. lynch.
Just you and will lunch quietly in my
room"
There was no doubling Mr.. Lynch sim
Ccrity his handsome face was the mirror
of candor; in his mild, honest eyes re-
posed the serenest expression of guileless-
ness. Yes, Brother McPhelim accepted
the invitation with thanks. And he went.
Surely enough there was no other guest.
Such dainty luncheon as it was, too
everything SO tempting, so delicious and
so well appointed! Then, again, Mr..
Lynch was so charming host; not word
did he have to say about business, never
a word of the playhouse, but volumes Of
anecdote and about his travels in far colln-
tries and among strange peoples. Brother
McPhelim was delighted; he simply list
felt good all over and internally, and con-
graduated himself that he was there.
They had reached-well, say the sew
enth consecutive stage, degree, or, as It's
| vulgarly called, course, in this delectable
banquet when suddenly there came a rap
ping at the chamber door, and, without
awaiting any summons to enter, in
bounced 1--WE use that word advisedly and
after serious consideration a vision of
feminine loveliness. Mother of Mosesl
twas lily-Iily Langtry radiant as o
| rainbow, redolent as a nosegay, and got up
| in such fashion as would have evoked an
expression of envy from Solomon in all
his glory.
OF course twas accidental. The Lang
| try hadn't the remotest idea that Mr..
Lynch was entertaining company or she
| surely would not have intruded. Ten
! thousand apologies rippled over her dainty
! lips, lovely blush mantled her cheeks,
her eyes fell demurely, and a truly pa
| thetic embarrassment convulsed her, as
! Brother McPhelim could see exhibited in
| the tumultuous upheaval of her eXuberant
| bosom and in thousand other distressing
| symptoms.
There was no alternative Mr.. Lynch
was compelled to introduce his friend. AT
the mention of the name "McPhelim" q
beatitic change came over the lovely Lily;
Il certain rapture thrilled her
''And is this, indeed, Mr.. McPhelim, the
| poetY' she cried, in ecstacv. "How |
have longed to meet the author of those
delicious verses which for years have
served as an inspiration and solacc
| to me-"
And with this extraordinary preface the
beautiful lady struck an attitude and re
cited Mr.. McPhelims tender little poem
entitled "Dreamings" gs"-recited it with
| exceeding discrimination and feeling.
more dramatic incident was never wit
| messed.
Brother McPhelm is not insensible tc
the charms of lovely womankind; fol
that, as well as for his noble intellectual
powers and distinct literary graces, we
admire and reverence him. lie fell al
last prey to the fair Lily and he has
been one of her most effective champion,
ever since, for when once he has surren
dered it is, as is highly proper in all war
fare with the gcntler sex, complete anC
unconditional
EnVTnJsJAT CnMMENT