Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-28

she 6ercely denied the imputation Of poverty
| the visible and circumstantinl evidences OF it
were not to be disbelieved. When il was
hinted to her, with all possible gentieness, that
the actors fund might be Of assistance to
her, she proudly. almost defiantly. scorned
the offer; and IL il absolutely certain
that no penny of the funds charity viii ever
knowingly be accepted by her. The woman's
independence 10 remarkable, and the odd part
OF It all is that she was especially eager to con-
| ceal from the Florences all knowledge Of her
| straitened circumstances Happily she has no
children by Littell to share her woes, but the
Child OF Littell and Malvina Pray lives yet.
Thousands of play goers have heard Of her as
stage about ten years. As child she was
educated in q French convent, where Mr.. and
MRS. Florence placed her Immediately after
their marriage. At fifteen Florence brought
bis tep-daughter back to this country. She
has since been married, and her husbands
name Is that which she has assumed on the
stage; and it is worthy of notice that in due
course Josephine Shepherd made a grand
mother Of Mrs. W. J. Florence. The dead
brings its ghosts always Josephine Shep-
herds best friend in life was her stepfather.
He was kinder to her even than her husband,
who was bitter disappointment to the young
actress, for she divorced him before long; but
between Mrs. Florence and her daughter there
mas been void in latter years that may be
passed over lightly, for it is not pleasant to
think about.
SCENE AT THE BOX OFFICE.
Three men bought seats over a womans
shoulder at the box Office Of theater last even
ing. 1t was about S15 o'clock. The woman
had pushed herself along the line and at last
had reached the window.
Il want those seats looked at this morning."
she said
Which are they?" the seller asked
why. you showed them to me. Oh. no, it
wasn't you. It was o gentleman with light
hair"
HE isn't on duty now, madam"
We'll / should like the same SEATS
(which were they, madam?'
"Oh, yes. Will you show me the diagram?
On, here 1t is-these-no-dear me. Which way
does this look? Oh, that's the stage. How it
mikes one, doesn't it9 They weren't behind a
pillar, were they2''
(Which were they, madam"
4, Now, can't seem to remember. oh, yes
those, am almost sure"
Those are gone, madam"
Oh, dear. Now, what shall do? I said
particularly wanted those: Don't suppose he
has saved them somewhere"
Il sold them myself few minutes ago. How
would these do?"
got them, anyhow %
These are good seats"
Haven you the same upstsirs2'
The same as these?'
mo, as the ones you Sold"
They were orchestra, madam"
.,.;n Yes IL know: Haven't you the same up
This was to the man who reached over her
shoulder with S2-bill, asked for IAN orches-
ira. got it and departed
Dear me, how rude people are. will take
them please. How much are theys'
"A dollar and a-half apiece"
Up in the balcony?"
NO, in the orchestra"
Il wanted the balcony ones"
These are good ones in the balcony,
madam"
'No-the others-the ones like the down.
stairs Ones l don't mind being-my dear
Sir! am at this window"
Orchestral and another two-dollar bill
Tipped over her shoulder and a ticket was
passed back.
We'll: please give them to me quick-people
The seller selected two balcony seats at ran
dom.
Where are these?"
Fourth row, side, madam"
'Oh, dear! Ais,e?''
"Yes"
81, We'll, would rather not have aisle seats.
snow me some Others"
Orchestra, two, and five-dollar bill Tipped
over her shoulder.
what are people thinking Of" she protested
angrhy Ihen to the wretched box-office man
she said, REALLY. sir. you are SO slow 1 can't
walt VIII go to some other theater."
let such women are not murdered.