The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-31
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANINGS
CHARLES MAJOR MEETS GOOD
CRITIC OF HIS HEROINEs.
william r. walker. of Detroit, Knows
Histories of Mary Tudor and Doro-
thy Vernon Unusually Well.

az think I have developed new ailment,
which might be called rheumatism OF the
voice." Charles Major was saying as a card
was handed to him by the boy at the door.
Il don't think l know the name" said Mr..
Major. reading the card, but show the gen
tleman up" moment later William L.
Walker, of Detroit. walked into Mr.. Ma
jors room at the Hotel English. The visitor
explained that he had not before the honor
of a personal acquaintance with Mr.. Major,
but had admired his work and happening 10
be in town had ventured to pay the author
a visit. Mr. Major babe him make himself
at home and they fell into discussion of
literature.
II have something here which / think will
interest you" the visitor at length re-
marked. Taking gold watch from his
pocket he opened the back part of the case.
This exposed to view the portrait of
woman. This" remarked Walker, hand
ing the watch to the author, lis a direct de-
scendant of Mary Tudor, whom you have
made famous in When Knighthood Was in
Flower. This is portrait of my wife.
The author was naturally much interested
and in the talk that followed il developed
that Mr.. Walker and his wife are English
people of old family. Mrs Walker was a
Blount, which is the family name Of Mary
Tudor. Mr. Walker expressed himself as
being much interested in Mr.. Majors new
story, Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall
do you know" said the visitor. Il have
the records of the old Vernon family and
they are very rare. When l heard you were
going to write story about the Vernons |
said to myself that might be able TO pick
you I'D on some of your historic facts,
but l have read the story and want TO say
that it is almost historically correct"
Yes, remarked the author. its very
funny thing about the critics who have
dealt with my story. Some of them have
contended that some of the characters
were impossible ones.
They are absolutely correct replied
Walker. The latter said he had played in
Haddon Hall and had been in the dungeon
spoken of in the story. The talk turned
TO other lines of literature. Mr.. Walker
said he had known Dickens personally.
did you know that there is a town in
this country named after one of Dickens's
characters?'' he asked. 1T is a town called
Trotwood and it is within short distance
of Dayton, o. l know the history Of the
naming of the town. Trotwood you know
comes from the story of David Copper
field You remember that Days aunt
was named Betsy Trotwood The name
Trotwood was given to a little town that
had another name. The reason they wanted
to change the name was because there
were other towns of the same name. The
postmaster was a young man who was
student of Dickens. and when the depart
ment told him TO find a new name for the
This was about the time that Dickens had
got out his first edition of American
Notes.. and he wasn't very popular in this
country. There was a great clamor against
naming the town Trotwood, but the post
master stuck to it and would listen TO moth
ing else. So Trotwood it has been ever
since"
Mr. Major is just recovering from a
rather severe illness. While returning
from New York some time ago he sat be-
hind a woman who kept her window open
and he caught cold that developed into
pneumonia. Although he has recovered
from this malady his throat is not in good
condition. The doctors have told him that
he has sort of rheumatism of the throat
Mr. and Mrs. Major will spend the sum-
mer in Berkshire hills. They will go first
to New York, where the author will meet
some people in regard TO the dramatiza-
ton Of Dorothy Vernon. Several mana
gers have applied for the right to put the
story into play, but nothing definite has
yet been agreed Mr.. Major says the
sales of Dorothy Vernon are perfectly
satisfactory and are all that could be hoped
for II have talked the matter of the play
over with Miss Marlowe. said the author.
but il has never been the intention Of
having her take il up She has another
play for next season and has her arrange
ments made, but even If she had not
would not advise her 10 play Dorothy
Vernon since she has played Mary
Tudor so often. The characters are some
what similar. but I thought In writing the
story that the public would stand two per-
sons of the same kind In story. But L
don't know how about giving them TWO
persons of the same kind on the stage and
played by the same woman. Mr.: Major
says he has a number of actresses in mind
who. he thinks. would be able 10 play
Dorothy Vernon" satisfactorily. he
thinks. there is no doubt but that the story
will be given to the public in dramatic