The evening times., 1896-12-28
L0rfA'S CHArrY TALK
OF HER AMBITION
She Will Study Pastel Painting and
Join a Life Class Here.
Some Day She VIII Build Theater
Of Her Own and Help Develop
Ora matte Genius.

Miss Lotta, tile distinguished actress, re
| ceived Times reporter this mcrningin the
| parlors OF "A friend on Fourteenth street, will
| whom she is spending the holidays.
The reporter waited long enough to max,
| friends with the family portrait over the
| fireplace and the CHEEKY fire i'll it, wher
the little lady entered, with beaming
| smile, and extended her hand.
The "child OF genius and sunshine as
Dom Piatt once christened her, editorially
and by which name she is endcarcd to every
WaslIingtonian who has ever seen her before
the footlights or known her in social life
was dressed in walking gown OF brown
cloth and sahes.
Her hair, still as beautiful as when its
curls lay in unruly ringlets about her face.
was coiied sedately on the prettily shaped
little head. IND her small, white hands were
ablaZe with precious gems.
With a gracious apology for keeping the
reporter waiting, She seated herself in a
small rocker and the talk began. First OF
all, the little lady was asked how long she
has been here, how long she means to stay,
where she came from, and where she in
tends to go.
She evidently considered the questions
foi siit ~ EisNAVN9iS Ali'it
it was only question of two minutes be
fore the interviewer was avian, that Mrs
Crabtrec and Miss Lotta arrived here a
week or two ago after months visit to
Old Point, Va.
They cruised from New Brunswick TO
Virginia and up to Baltimore with Miss
Lotta's brother, Mr.. j. A. Crabtree, on his
beautiful steam launch, "li32." II the
M -
the winter through in Washington, but
if the cold Incomes severe they will leave
for the South.
do | want to return to my profession?
Oh. no she quietly said. Il am too con
tent with my home. We have lovely place
on Lake Hopatcong, n. j, about forty
miles from New York. 1t was built by
my mother, and We live there with my
brother. II is not palace, you know, but
Just a beautiful home. and we are happy
there; and do you know" with flash OF
her wonderful eyes, and flutter OF her
small jewelcd hands, do you knoy that
happiness is che most beautiful gift in the
world? Happiness is religion, and none of
us can be truly religious unless we are
happy ourselves, and try to make others
so."
Tell me about your horne?" was the next
interrogatory.
well, there is the lake and the launch
and the house pets ard horses, and have
taken up working in pastels. I only con
slider myself a student. with q great deal
to learn, but if remain here during the
winter / shall enter one OF the life classes.
for love painting, and it fills the place OF
my profession
Lotta's ravorite dramatic characters
were the Marchioness, Musette and FREELY
After speaking in a general fashion of the
stage of today, she expressed her opinion
that a actresses are too much handicapped by
teaching.
"One of these days" said the little lady,
with a confidential lowering of voice and
an indescribable Frightening of her mag
netic eyes, "one of these days, when |
settle down, If i ever do, / mean to build
a little stage in my home and select some
OF the younger of my club, or any club,
and give them parts to act according to
their own conception. / want to encour
age originality. OF course, teaching S good
for actresses who are passabie without be-
ing great. The true greatness that is born
with one needs little more than opportu-
nifty"
Then that is your future ambition"
The little actress laughed with the spon-
taneouSness of a child.
That is one of them. My great ambition
is to be able to bring out the best that is
in every ore that l meet
one could tell by her earnestness that She
meant every word she said.
Lotta has entirely recovered from the
injury to her foot which she received five
years ago by jumping from her carriage,
which she had entered at night without
knowing that the driver had left the box.
She is looking as pretty and plump-and,
yes, AS young-as when she played here
years ago.