The times., 1897-07-11

The stage will have among its recruits
only daughter OF the evangelist, the Rev.
Sam Small 1t viii be recalled that stew
art H. Ford, of Richmond, Va tiled
suit for divorce some weeks ago, charg-
ing with inlideIity his wife, the Lady re-
ferred 10 us about to enter upon theat
rical career.
The Rev. Sam Small, being convinced
OF the untruth OF Mr.. Fords charges, has
secured counsel for his daughter, and
cross bill has been filed. Mr Small thinks
that his daughter can not only defeat her
husbands application for severance of the
marriage tie, but in addition has such
clear case against Mr.. Ford that the Rich
mond court at the fall term when The
cause is to be heard, will grant an abso
lutte iVOrce.
hirs Ford has been married twice and in
each case unhappiiy. When but little
OYER seventeen years she was married 10
u young man named Jackson, OF Knox
vile, Tenn. Although Mr.. Jackson was
nan OF wealth and good family, the
couple lived mhappily and they Were
divorced 4 little girl, the result OF this
marriage, was given into the custody OF
the wife The lady was secretly narriedto
stewart II, Ford, of Richmond, Va, and
lived with her husband in Richmond, Va.
Several months ago Mrs. Ford, ac-
conpanled by her husband and father,
came to Washington ard secured accom-
ut Hptnl TaffpFEOn The
principal object of Mrs. Ford's visit was
to obtain training in dramatic elocution
ard art, for which she haG especial apti-
tude, and in which she lad already scored
signal am1teur success.
Af,er spending souc weeks u Washing
ton Mr.. Ford returned It. Richmond and
entered suit for divorce, alleging marital
unfai .hrulness. Despairjng of ever Sc
curing domestic happiness, Mrs. Ford be-
gan 10 turn ber attention to plans for the
future, and considered various schemes for
| seIf-supnort She has selected ;re tage
| as q vocation, but did SO simply because
| she tious nt hat il wss 1iie pgofCSsliIi for
| which her talents most fitted her, and not
! from any .ruuanic iaea eHSen !ered by
! the glamour and glare of the fOotlights.
| Asrs Ford has placed heraeif under he tui-
lion Of Rolert Downing, and VIII IN all
| probability he a member Of that actor S
| company in the fail.
| The Rev Sam Small takes a very philo-
sophie view OF the matter, and having
been assured by eminent stage critics
that his daughter displays undoubted tsl'
ent, offers no opposition TO Mrs. Ford's
plan In a recent interview Mr.. Small
| sail:
Mr.. Downing speaks very flattenngly
! of my daughters abilities, and ii may be
regarded as probable that she VIII sign
contract with him in tie autumn. She
| early developed dramatic ability, and has
gained some success in amateur theatricals
Unless there had teen some indication that
she might attain distinction in dramatic
| work, would not have enCouTag ged the de
velopment Of her tastes in that direction =
The Rev. Sam Small left tie Jefferson
| Friday for Niagara Falls, and Mrs. Ford
referred the interviewer to Mr.. Downing
in regard 10 her theatrical venture.
When the reporter called upon Mr..
| Downing he was giving instruction to his
pupil. At the conclusion # the lesson
Mrs. Ford stated that she did not care to
talk for publication just get, but through
Mr.. Downing confirmed the report that
she intended TO &c UPON The stage. Mr..
Downing in the course of the COnyersa-
tion, said:
Il have signed contract with the Rev.
Sam Small, by which 1 stipulate to give
his daughter instruction for six months.
The young lady has a fine stage presence,
strong, sympathetic voice, and plenty '
of vim and fire She will in the fall &c
with ME upon the road, not to act, but uC
acquaint herself with the details of roat
life. At the termination of the course o.
instruction Mrs. Ford will make her debut
in her old home. Atlanta, Ga. The role,
in which the lady is preparing herself ar'
all classical and of the Mary Anderson
style. 1t will perhaps be as Juliet ol
Parthenia that Mrs Ford will make he
first appearance. You may state that Mrs
Ford is gong upon the stage with the con
sent ana approval OF her father, and tina
IL it were otherwise 1 would not hav
consented TO the arrangement by which
was made her instructor