The Helena independent., 1893-08-23
THE PEERLESS IOTTA.

ness. The windows. reaching to the floor
expose view Of the glistening placidtty OF
the lake and the almost italian blue of the
sky. Then come a couple of reception
rooms, fitted up with ordinary elegance;
then the dining room, with its massive ma
hogany table, chairs and sideboard and
equally massive plate. The effect Of this
furniture is most somber. 1t was designed
to be the most elegant rAsA of all. I was
told that the actress occupied the different
rooms according to her varying moods
The up stairs rooms are reached by all
sorts Of curious little halls-up step here,
down step there-until you are confused
beyond expression. All over the house are
scattered evidences of appreciation of the
the actress art from all parts of the world
not only pictures of curious conception,
certainly not divine; musical instruments
fearfully and wonderfully made and full Of
ear splitting possibilities; huge vases cov-
cred with designs that vividly suggest a
cross between heather mythology and a
Chinese puzzle, possessed no doubt of great
artistic value, but utterly incomprehensi-
BILE to the writer; books of all languages
and ages. In one Of the lower halls is life
size portrait of Lolita in the character of
The Marchioness by William Morgan. It
was originally intended as gift to the city
of New York, but when completed failed to
suit the critical Marchioness and was doom
ed to everlasting obscurity. Birds from the
tropics and dogs from the far north occupy
positions of great importance in the ac-
tress' home
In answer to my message Mrs. Crabtree,
the actress mother, presently appeared,
most remarkable old lady, prodigiously
severe In an immaculate black silk dress
A pair of kindly gray eyes beamed from be
hind gold trimmed spectacles She affected
no ornaments, save two plain gold brace
lets at least an inch and half wide, and
looked for all the world like the picture ot
a dowager duchess cut from historical
novel,
st is said," suggested interrogatively
that the idea Of this cottage occurred tc
Miss Lotta while travelling through Swift,
zerland?"
NO" replied Mrs. Crabtree, Miss Lottt
had almost nothing to do with either The
selection of the site or the plan Of the house
l came up here one day some years agf
with my friends the Dunleps, was charmed
with the place, bought and paid for it th,
same day. Then l engaged Philadelphia
architect to furnish plans for house.
was pleased with the idea Of Swiss cot
tage, somewhat modified by the introduc
tion of all modern improvements. Worl
was begun at once, and my daughter nevel
saw the house till she moved into it,"
1T is also rumored that Miss Crabtree !.
the richest woman on the American stage,
queried rather timidly.
Here got the full force of those kindly
gray eyes, rather rsentfully imagined.
"Such report is due to no talk of ours,
she replied. 1T is true that Miss Lolita il
very we'll off. She has considerable rea
estate in different cities and q theater il
Boston. Her wealth is due largely to he
professional earnings and largely to sue
cessful speculation in real estate"
1t is well known, let me add parenthet
| ically, that Lotta's mother has been tn
actress manager for many years and tina
| the greater portion of her wealth is due t.
| her mothers thrift and sound Judgment
| Once you talk with Mrs Crabtree for few
moments, and the story is confirmed com
! pletely.
will Miss Lotta go upon the road tn
coming season."
mol positively not. How soon thereafte
cannot say, but certainly not the comin
season. She has worked hard and long
j her duties are extremely arduous Size i
/ now enjoying well earned independence
| from work. We receive letters daily from
all parts of the country from actors, o
would be actors, applying for positions il
her company-to all of which we make TIL
formal regretful reply" Then the old lad
became reminiscent.
! Years ago." she said, when l first be
/ gan to look after my daughters affairs,
was brought constantly in contact with th
leading managers of New York. They wer
| all on the lookout for brilliant staS. Il,
each and every one spoke of II remarkable
| young woman whom had seen playing /,
/ a small part in Cleveland. l told them sh
| was unlike any one had ever seen--tha
| she was n genius pure and simple, and I'D
viscd them to look her up and make them
selves famous by bringing her out. hav
ever since followed her career with grea
interest. 1t is just as l prophesied, an,
when saw her grow famous over night
didn't wonder Doyou think my prophec'
justified9 1t was Clara Norris"
| HENRY IRVING Dop6R
|
The raw silk couch covers now Offered
very cheap In the stores make gay and use