The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-29

son was last in the United States, an article
signed by her appeared in one Of the more
important reviews. A paragraph in il re-
ferred with something Of slight or con-
tempt to Mrs. James Brown Potter, then
just about beginning her professional ca
reer. Mrs. Potter and Mary Anderson had
been warm personal friends, so that Mrs.
Potter was deeply hurt by this formal
slight When she next met Mary Ander-
son, her manner was excessively cool toward
the famous actress, and Miss Anderson in
turn became offended, knowing ~ no reason
why she should have been treated thus.
Asking an explanation later, Miss Anderson
discovered that the offense which had been
given 10 Mrs. Potter was caused by the
paragraph In the magazine article.
With that impetuosity and frankness
which characterize Mary Anderson, she
Immediately sought her old friend and
said. why, never wrote the article.
have never even read it. A certain critic
told me that be had been asked TO procure
an article from me. that lac knew ] was
busy. and that he had written something
which be thought expressed my opinions,
and that it would be a great personal favor
as well as a pecuniary one if l would sign
it. He had written kind things about me,
and so / thoughtlessly signed the article
without even having looked at it,"
And with this explanation the friendship
was restored.
But publishers who now are seeking from
famous actors literary contributions will
no longer accept anything which does not
bear the stamp Of the actors own literary
composition.
There have been two or three private ex-
hbitions given by the schools Of dramatic
culture which in recent years have been
established IN New York city. and these en-
tertaiuments have afforded the most con-
spicuOus illustration Of the intimate assO-
citation which has been developed between
those who have TO do with the drama and
those whose vocation is literature.
At the latest exhibition Of this kind IL
was announced that the actors and actresses
who were to appear had in 10 case received
more dramatic training than had been pos
5ible 90 give in course Of some three
months Not one of them had ever APP
peared in public upon the stage. All Of
them were young men and women Of re-
spectacle life. some Of them coming even
from wealthy families. 1t was also an
nounced that two new plays written by lit
terateurs-one a woman and one a man
would be produced.
Before the curtain rose the auditorium OF
the Empire theater was well filed with
uotablrs. Mr. H9wells was there chatting
with Mr.. Daniel frohman, ard with the
manner Of eager expectancy in his glance
ana speech, and he was au object Of inter.
est because theirs Is no actor of ability and
scarcely any writer Of reputation who does
not know that b. is Mr. Howclls' ambition
To write great acting play.
Professor Braudcr Matthews Of Columbia
college who is a writer Of romauces, essays,
e professor OF literature and magazine ed.
itor, chatted merrily with little Charles
Irohman, who is 50 dimiputive ia size that
he presents "a strange contrast with his tall
aud scholastic looking brother Daniel
Both Of these managers and Mr.. A. NJ.
Palmer are intensely interested Ia the de
veiopment OF these dramatic schools, be
/ lievlug that they will ultimately furnish
the American stage with splendid com
pany Of American actors and actresses.
Mr.. Franklin Iyles, a dramatic critic
successful playwright and charming writer
Miss Martha Morton, a young woman who
IA Il day leaped from obacurity 10 high re-
putc a. "a dramatist; Mr Franklin Sar
geant Mr Nelson Whcatcroft. Mr.. Robert
J.. Porter, who OF late mas taken as mucf
interest iu literature aud the drama as b,
did in dry figures when superintendent o
the census, Mark Twain. who is growing
/ very gray and very lroniue because hi
I head g. crowned with "a splendid mass O
/ hair tumblod about with careless care, and
I in fact, "a majority of those who Law
+ gained fame as authors, dramatists an'
f critics, were iu THAT thcater. seated side D..
side with actors and aclre--es Of high char
meter and great ability
These institutions are patronized, suu
ported ana most Enthusiastically encour
aged by ihe ablc-t litterateur- 81 New Norl
and vicinity Mr. Howells, Mr. Franl
stockton. Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Richau
Henry -t4ddard. Edmund Clarence Sted
man, Franklin Sergeant, are among thos
~ distinction who give encouragement @.
these experiments and who believe that a.
outcome OF them all be noble develop
meut not only Of the American stage. bu
81 the American art Of acting. and that th
men and women who graduate win be- abb
90 do much % lift the profession of acf 200.
ont % the dislepute into which. hy reason
~ Toe f0i'Iesof some u those who have betl
associated with The stage. b has fallen
J.. !. EDWARDS.
DO not wear .npsfmssble and tebt-fi