The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-09-15

me through streets where the miserables
horde, and the atmosphere is tainted,
and the languages Babel-like mixture.
My ambition is that some day, perhaps
afar off, may write successful story
laid among the poor of New York, in
full sympathy with them, as Dickens,
whom ! love. was with the London
poor"
"Have you written anything besides
The Kiss of Gold and The Other
Houser"
"Oh, yes, l have sent out ton Of man.
uscript, most of it unsigned. When
you look up the biography of any one
whose work in the arts happens to
make good impression, you will gen.
orally find that they have not come un-
der the public notice at bound. Like
others, have served a long and silent
apprenticeship since the time l wrote
love stories before 1 left school and rev.
eled in seeing them in print with lux
ury do not now know"
'In The Kiss of Gold you seem famil-
lar with life behind the scenes of a thea
ter. Have you ever been on the stage"
'No, but 1 have not gone unscathed.
Almost every girl who keeps in touch
with life in New York is stagestruck at
some point in her career. So was 1.
For more than year attended the
now defunct Boucicault school of act
ing. The time as far as stage tuition
went was wasted, but Boucicault, with
his delicate face, snowy hair and caus-
tic, witty tongue is figure can never
forget. His brilliancy was fairly scin-
tillating, and have to thank him for
better knowledge of Shakespeare than I
could have had without his aid"
AS we chatted about many other
things, and noted the inimitable Irish
humor that crept into my companions
phraseology, the delightful play of ex-
preston in her face from grave to gay,
l inwardly decided that she possessed
the possibilities of an excellent comedi-
enne.
"Can you tell me how you came to
write The Kiss of Gold?'" asked.
"Can any one tell how an inspiration
is born9 But the motive of the plot was
a most natural one, for the struggle be-
tween love and ambition goes on every
day in the money getting atmosphere Of
this city. lived for years, until very
recently, in dear old Chelsea square,
where the story is laid-New York's 60.
clesiastical corner-and sometimes went
to service in the little chapel. Watch
ing the students troop in looking like
flock of ravens in their picturesque
gowns, always knew would somehow
or other make them figure in story. l
made Tom Irish, because the reader
might more easily forgive his weakness
that instability of purpose that is such
a frequent Trait in the Celtic tempera-
ment, accompanying even good morals
and aspirations and intellectual strength.
There are many managers in New York
like Mr.. Plunket. Old Mr.. Kent is
Boucicault as far as appearance goes.
Delatole's selfishness and moral turpi-
tude live in a man / have met, and it is
easy to conceive such man when placed
as critic using his pen as weapon of
threat and attack. Women of Virgin
las type, fortunately for human nature,
are not rare-quiet heroines who bear
burdens and never think of complain
ing"
A little maid appeared to say lunch
was ready, and Miss Jordan lifted her
eyebrows.
"How much we could accomplish in
this world if so much time were not
taken up with sleeping, dressing and
eating. And 1 have such good ape
tite, and can't get up early"
"When do you writer" l asked as l
rose to go, land what are you writing
now?"
81 write in the morning always. At
night, if 1 have no engagement, come
up here and scribble. I've commenced
my first playa farce. 1t seems very
laughable to me-still a manager may
find it a funeral. Besides that l am
writing new novel and doing some work
for the daily press. You will admit l
haven't much time to be lazy"
The impression which chung to me as
l went down the sunny street was
very pleasant one. Miss Jordon's vital
ity is strong, her desires earnest. If ca
pability, originality, perseverance and
courage get their due reward, her sue
cess will grow with her years.
JEAN COREY.