The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

articles Oh I don't mean what's goin' to
be written. but what's already been written
them that holds US up as objects of char
ity. MY boy makes s12 week. and We
don't need charity. We're self-respecting."
You have been troubled a great deal, I
suspect. by curious people," was suggested.
well. l should think 50. Why the other
day a whole crowd OF people came up here.
They we're all dressed UP and some of them
didn't live in Louisville at ALL There was a
lot OF women in the crowd and some gentle
men. too. They came flocking up them
steps and knocked on my door When 1
opened 1t one lady. with fine clothes on.
said: Oh and is this Mrs. Wigs? I got
real mad. See here said: I've heard
enough of that business and slammed the
door in their faces.
SADLY ANNOYED BY
STRANGE CALLERS.
The old lady told the story with much
initiative glsto that must be lost in writ
ing. She stopped to breathe. then went on:
Not only men editors, but women ed:-
tors come out here and poster me. One
came out here the other day and promised
not to write anything; then she went away
and I'll bet she filled the paper with 1t. My
daughter says II she ever catches that
woman On the street one of the two won't
go home with her clothes on
VIII you be one of the characters in
Miss, Hegans new story, Lovey Nary"
"Oh, reckon 1 will. Mary's my name.
and l guess I'm Lovey Mary as well as
Mrs. Wigs" replied she.
Have you ever read the book Mrs.
Wigs Of the Cabbage Patch'?"
mo. 1 amt, and I've had enough of 1t
without reacin It," came the quick reply.
The love story in Mrs. Wigs seems to
have been part OF Miss Hegan's imagina-
tive construction. though one of the neigh
t,r~A at
marrying Mr.. Rice. thought perhaps that
might be the truest part of the story
Miss Hegan's own romance is a personal
matter and should be touched on lightly
and respectfully She was quietly married
in her home several weeks ago, and when
the fact Of her wide reputation in literary
circles is taken into consideration the
dearth Of newspaper comment Is rather sur
prising and is without doubt due to her
modesty and unwillingness to appear before
the public except through her characters
MR.. RICE IS A
ET-DRAMATIST.
Mr.. Gale Young Rice, who won the dis
tingufshed lady's heart, is himself n per-
sonage far from unknown IN the world
whose axis is the pen. He is the author of
dramas that have been pronounced equal
to those which made Stephen Phillips IA
NOUS His first poetic drama, which was
called "Cha rles di Tocca," so impressed
Sothern that he proposed taking 1t to Eng
land and showing it to Beerbohm Tree,
who, he thought, would include 1t in his
future programme. while Sothern himself
commissioned the Kentucky poet-dramatist
to write for him romantic play for his
own use. This is the work upon which Mr..
Rice Is now engaged.
Mrs. Rice talked charmingly of the real
Mrs. Wigs.
II hardly blame her for feeling a little
sensitive about the character, do youo'
asked the authoress. You see the char
acter of Mrs Wigs is composite one. and
the part played by this old lady was limited
to few Of the incidents of the story. Her
wide optimism and cheeriness gave me my
first inspiration. and the death of her son,
as well es a few other incidents of the
story, were suggested to me by her. But
many other characters are blended into
Mrs. Wigs and my general observations
among the poor helped me carry out the
work.. Some OF the sidelights on child Efa
came from memories of nv own childhood
and others were picked up here and there"
few weeks ago a negro murderer who
had Ned from the central part of the State.
barely escaping lynching. took refuge in the
Cabbage Patch. He was arrested and an