The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-06

who was then the acting manager for Ben
de Bars opera house in st. Louis. Norton
came to Louisville and listened to the
oVergrown child-She was little more-and
agreed to get her a stock company for
one weeks engagement, her stepfather
promising to pay the rent of the theater.
The latter stipulation, when the time for
payment came, Dr. Griffin was unable to
fulfill and Norton assumed that risk also.
The opening night in her home city, Mary
Anderson, in the part of Juliet, played 10
exactly $40. The remainder of the week
was little better, but it convinced Norton
that in the gawky Kentucky girl a great
actress was concealed. She was then II
years of age. That was nearly twenty
three years ago. How time flies. She
will celebrate her 10th birthday on July
q next
Just here should be related a story con-
corning the late Gen. Sherman which is
too good to be buried. To build house
in theatrical paralance, of course-for the
Friday night of that first weeks engage
ment John Norton went to ST. Louis and
invited number of prominent people
(among others Gen. Sherman, who was
then a citizen of st. Louis) TO come to
Louisville to see his dramatic wonder. At
ter the performance several of them We're
taken behind the scenes and presented to
Miss Anderson, who at that time was a
perfect vision of beauty, but awkward
Gen. Sherman kissed her in his usual IA
therIy way-fatherly Is what he called it
patted her on the head, complimented her
excessively and predicted a great future
for her. After the men had retired from
her presence Norton asked Gen Sherman
what was his frank opinion of the actress
The old warrior patted the young manager
on the back compassionatefy and said:
My boy, she doesn't amount to shucks
There is nothing in her. She will never
amount TO anything, no matter how long
she lives"
That was in November, 1875
The following April Mary Anderson af
ter having played in New Orleans and
then at a number of one-night stands AR
ing which John Norton was her manager
and the leading actor in her sunnortin,r
company, and after brief rest given rs,
to study and practice, under Norton,s AZ
rection, appeared in ST. Louis &C ~.
Merri:les, The people went crazv o,,os
her, and the widest man in the au6ieroa
was GEN. sherman My boy" he said to
Norton after the Performance ash ~
great" sue
What did you tell me in IDo,is,,,,,. ~,
asked the manager smilingIy
My boy" said the hero. tbrou.,.
his hands, please don't say word word" ~ up
that" ABOUT
During her dramatic career n,o...
never ruined Mary Anderson Tb,S.sp erity
at that time. falsely accused her 80 VINO
ing notoriety 10 enhance her STAGE seek. seek
tiveness, should have Witnessed the ..l1t ae-
ner in which she performed her ro,, man
duties. She avoided the catbe1rail ious
the fashionable churches throusb anu
of attracting unpleasant public at, lea. lear
and for that reason worshiped ber Ct.on'
obscure chapels. When IN St To,,IN ou IN
instance, she performed her devottn, lor
little church down on the leveo @ IN
congregation numbered less than Soo " whose
Noticing that its floor coverirs SOuIs.
threadbare and Its furnishings shahh was
unosteutatiously had it Handsomely she
peted and properly equipped throw car
She kept this so much of secres '' '.
even her manager was not aware tnat
and only learned 1t accidentally N ~ H.
meeting the priest OF the parish. and SS .t.I
Norton the narrator became acoua l., s V.n
with the fact. She did thousands ~ 100 'eu
things of which the world knew notb,,.l
and to this day there are many men 81
women in the dramatic profession who oHSa
their preservation from serious disaster -
the looseness of Mary Anderson's nurse