Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-20
MRS. CORA POTTER.

Mrs. Potter, in talk recently with a
reporter in New York, tells most inter-
esting story of her early married life and
how she made entrance into society.
II was born and brought up in the
south, country girl, educated different
ly from city girls" said Mrs. Potter.
my family was poor. 1 was very do
nestle and simple in my tastes. 1 was
taught to sew, and made all my own
dresses. Indeed, my wedding dress was
the first gown 1 ever wore which was
made outside of our own home
II met James Brown Potter, fine,
handsome man. / fell in love with him,
and before 1 was II we were married and
came to New York to live. Mr.. Potter
was considered bowling swell, and my
family were led to believe that l had
made a great match, and that my fu-
ture lay along a path of roses.
my ideas of life and those of the Pot
tiers were utterly at variance. l was
brought up to think that life was real
and love ruled the world; that dissen-
sions in families were a disgrace. The
Potters lived only for outside snow,
always seemed to be afraid to appear
natural, and were always at swords
points with one another.
THE Butler-Duncans were my cousins
but had never even sent them my cards
or let them know where l was. My en-
tree into New York society was the
merest accident, and 1 assure you no
thanks to the Potters.
zone day l was walking down Broad
way when 1 met William Wilton Phlpps'
Mrs. Butler-Duncan's son-in-law, just
arrived from England. Why, Cora he
said, what are you doing hereg tod
him I was marriedto Mr.. Potter and liv-
ing in New York. An he said, you
must be no end of swell When
and never went anywhere he asked me
how / would like to go to ball.
You may readily imagine / was de-
lighted at the prospect. He sent me a
ticket, and with the Butler-Duncans |
went ITO my first Patriarchs ball.
wore my wedding dress, which was a
year old. / took off the orange blossoms
and freshened it up bit, but l fear 1t
must have looked rather dowdy
Entered Into Society.
Under the patronage of the Butler-
Duncans, who were lovely to me. was
introduced into society at this ball, and L
took. Ward McAllister danced with me,
and after that there was nothing to be
desired. / was a full-fiedged member of
the swell set.
cone social function followed another,
and / was in the swim, but always felt
that people patronized me, for we were
poor. Mr.. Potter never earned penny
nv own gowns. l worked harder than
have ever worked in my chosen profess
sion, and all for what?
my success in private theatricals
paved the way for something better, and
one day, sick and weary of all the mock-
cry, tired of the constant fault finding
to which l was compelled to submit, tired
of going out with a smiling face and a
breaking heart, tired of the snubs of the
Potters, who are always jealous of each
other; tired of genteel poverty. / walked
out of the home Mr.. Potter Is keeping for
me. and left everything behind me.
have never been permitted to go back to
get my belongings, and not even as much
as pair of sleeve buttons has ever been
sent to me.
IT have never since seen my child
would have gladly have taken her and
educated her, as think all women should
be educated to take care of themselves.
"People wonder why I am on the stage
I went simply to earn my bread, and for
the glorious privilege of being indepen-
dent. could no longer lead false life.
II care nothing for the Potters. They
have done nothing for me. Mr., James
Brown Potter Is now travelling in Europe