The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-08

vor. He was charming fellow, an excel
lent actor a good companion. Wen,
hardly know how it happened, but we
were together only "a short, a very short
time, and then came a separation.
Good old Jack! Chance led US across
each others paths on Broadway the other
day We chatted in the manner of old
friends Why change the loves of other
days to hatred?
A year after jack and 1 went our sew
eral ways. / met Mr.. Schuyler. Our meet
ing was in April. In JUICE we Sc lied for Eu-
rope He stands TO rue for some hope, some
affection. Life looks a little brighter, but
there are many clouds.
had time to reflect upon il all while 1
lay in charity ward at Bellevue hospi-
tai.
/ thought 1 would not live. I did not
care used to stare at the wall and think
of it all, treading the mental pa day af
ter day, as the weary canal horse treads
the towpath.
l had sung to charmed audiences in this
country and in Europe. l had played with
VerVe that won round upon round of ap-
plause. I had made friends in my stage
career, good friends, like sainted old John
Stetson. Many men had loved me. Some
had left me.
And then the shadows gathered. Inc
triumphs of my life had been few and
simple as compared with its regrets.
1 had loved Arthur Padalford. -4e was
my FIRST, my dearest love. He had scorned
me. There Wasothe memory of an awful
morning when 1 left the hotel in the Place
Vendome, in Paris, with my baby in my
arms.
And Bettina Gerard, once the petted and
adored, might be dying, frlendless and
alone, in the charity ward of a hospital.
My father, old and spent with grief, died
when he heard that his Wayward Betty
was a charity patient at Bellevue.
His heart broke when he heard the news.
He took to his bed the same hour. Two
days later he died.
They say l have broken many hearts
have broken but one, the noblest that
ever beat-my fathers. That is the su-
preme grief the most awful memory of
my life.
The grandest, noblest character that ever
lived! A man who would sacrifice any
thing to help others! One of the few such
whom God has made. He lies in an hon
ored soldiers grave, his memory beloved
by all who knew him and his name ever on
the lips of those who loved him. If the
angels weep, they must weep for the
rt-broken onesrle behind. If they re-
joicef they must rejoice over another an
gel found.
T'It is a mad world, my masters"
My mad, merry, careless, tragic life.
oh, the moral of it! 1t lies in the trite
words of one of my lines in "Old Ken
tucky;" such simple words and so often
scoffed at: "Be good and you will be hap
py," but they are mighty true.
Take heed! You will cause unhappiness
for yourself by causing 1t for others. How
1 regret the pain have brought to Others
which has only brought pain to myself!
There are glad hearts and sad in the
world When you are glad and prosper
Gus people flock about you as notes in
the sunbeam. Whens you are sad and in
i'll luck they pass you by.
There is no charity in the world for
women. Though l have been painted all
colors of the rainbow, including the inevi-
table black, it seems there must be some
tracery of white still if one could be found
Christ-like enough to seek it.
I'm tired tonight, tired of all the heart
lessness and struggles and the mistakes.
Like the children, Il want my mamma"
Oh, the sadness and truth of these old
lines:
Backward, turn. backward, o Time, in
your flight
Make me a child again just for tonight;
Kiss from my forehead the burrows of
care;
Smooth the few silver threads out of my
hair;
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;
Rock me to sleep, mother; rock me to
sleepw Bettina Girard.