The age-herald., 1897-09-04
.eooemoonooo1oooooooe5 2 By MRS. GEORGE 0. BALL. SoaoonJanooonanonnoNnoS

SJ1ooUoaJooaolooon
 Clara Morris, the celebrated actress, is no longer the delicate, emaciate1 ''quesn of spasms' who once enthralled Ameri- can theater-gears with her emotional talents and fascinated them with thrilling stories of the application of hot irons to her spinal column She is now a robust woman, stout and whofesoms looking, with her spirituella charms gore, and in its stead the avoirdupoise of healthy m d. dle age. Miss Morris has just appeared in New York at the Urion Square tn tzr in a new play, Blind Jus.ice," and the impression made upon the audience was not in anywise satisfactory. Clara Mor- ris' first appearance upon any stage was accidental, and was tf.s result of the m- portunities of a little playmate who was cast for childish parts with John Ellsles's company and who desired hsr yourg friend to be with her while she was act ing. Little Clara Morris did SO well that she was commended by Bfslee, and ad- vised to continue her dramatic career. Her mother at first opposed the aspira- tions of her little daughter but finally consented, when she filled a brief en- gagement, receiving the munificient sum of $3 per week for har services. Her first success was achieved many years later when she created "Sylvestsr' in Man and Wife" The part was originally in- et,o the caprice of a popular actress, refused Ito play it, whereupon MT. Augustin Daly cast Miss Morris for it. She exhibited so much dramatic power in Man an1 Wife that she immediately went to the front as one of the greatest emotional actresses of her time. Her appearance in New York, a few evenings since is re- garded by the best judges as fatal blun- der; she ran the risk of oblterating many of the illusions and traditions which cling about her name and past achievements. She had better have re- mained a fascinating memory than have proven a prievous disappointment.
 
 Mrs. John Drew, the distinguished star, wheea death last Tuesday, at Larchmont, produced a profund impression among rhe cultured people of two continents was woman of charming personality Her private life was pure and above re- proach: her domas ic relations were lov- ing and tender, ard her friendships were many and devoted. She was almost idol ized by her family. whose pride in her genius and character Increased wish the
 x-an1z fNf r at the time of her death, and only two years ago she played with exquisite art the part of Dame Quickly for the first time in her life. The character winch brought her the grea:est fame, of course, was Mrs. Malaprop, which she played one season in conjunction with Joseph Jefferson and William J. Florence. She also was. leading lady for Edwin Booth, Edwin Forrest, Macrsady, John A. Owen and others Her influence was always for good whether We judge her as the dis tinguished ac ,ress, devoted wife and mother. loyal friend or constderate as- sociate She was of a sweet and sunny temperamene, loving humanity and desir- ing to be loved by it. She received the full measure of her desire in the admira- tion and affection of the world.
 
 While speaking of theatrical affairs it will not be amiss to call Inc attention of the managers of.O'Briea's opera house to the disa greeable impression producad upon cultivated audience by having an agene go up and down the aisles adver- Using in a vibrant, stlident voice certain pieces of music. It is unfor. una tely very sugges i've Of the sounds of the Midway Plaisanee; the spei,er-like tones of the agent can be dispensed with with great comfort to refined men and women, who attend the opera house for amrse sement and not to have the canons of good tas e offended The patrons of the opera hous, would prefer hearing Prof. Grambs' de- lightful orchestra without any interrup- lions, which bring to mind the enterprise of circus attaches in advertising their ''concert."
 Miss May Harper is in Montgomery, the guest of Miss Susie Johnston, 11S North McDonough street.
 
 MT. Lorenzo Woodruff, of Montgomery, has returned from New York, entirely recovered from his recent critical illness. Miss Cornela Meade leaves this morn- ing for her new home at Tucson, Ariz., carrying with her the best wishes of a large circle of friends. Isn route to Tue son Miss Meade will spend few days at New Orleans, the guest of friends.
 Mrs J. D.. s. Davis returned Friday from visit to New York city and New England.
 Miss Ava Bradford is entertaining a congsnial house party at the handsome home of her uncle and aunt, Major and