The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-11

woman accused of murder became
known to the newspapers She Il n q
begged to say nothing about
it, but it is hard for theatrical
manager to keep such good story about his star from
the of the great dailes.
Contrary to what had told Miss Abbott about the
likelihood of her motives being misunderstood
decided that the public. which beginning to get
inklng of the righteousness of her nature, would
not misinterpret the act of self-advertising
So the talk leaked out and nearly every daily in the
country commented upon it. Miss Abbott was, of
course far above the need of anything foreign to her
for arousng public interest; but it is true that
after this incident box-oiice receipts, already
heavy, swelled perceptibly.
We tour, and were spending Sunday in
Nashville Tennessee. Emma never missed an op-
portunity to go to church. She started out this
Sunday morning her prayer book in her hand.
At about twelve O'Clock she returned to the hotel
flushed fearful and bursting with indignation. "Oh
it was outrageous" she cried Il didn't know that
there could be such in the garb of minister
But l gave him a setting down that l think he Il re-
member
What is it. Emma what is it, demanded
burning with curiosity
Il spoke out" she went on eXcitedly, "and he
became so confused he couldn't finish | hope he's
learned lesson!"
By degrees got the story. 1t seems that the
preacher had thought the Sunday morning, after
a great audience of his felow-townspeople had been
inspired by of the sweetest singers and some of
the sweetest music in the world, fitting occasion
to deliver a TRADE against the stage.
He denounced its people as possessing vestge of
religion morality. This was more than Emma had
been able to stand. She had risen in her seat and
had cried out a protest | can well imagine her as
she stood there-her head held high with pride and
her tongue utering in that ringing stirring voice OF
hers words that far more lofty in spirit. more
honest and more eloquent than any apparently at
the command of this preacher.
She announced that she Emma Abbott, and
declared that she and many other women on the stage
held themselves high and were as lrreproachable
as any wife in that congregation. She said further
that a man who would sweepingly condemn the
1nerest hearsay who toed and struggled
unworthy of the name of clergyman.
The congregation, | learned sat in death-like
silence during this astonishing outburst. The preacher
had vinlv tried quiet Emma by stretching out his
hand in majestic gesture of command. When
she had resumed her seat and he attempted to take
the broken thread of his discourse, he stammered
stopped and gave out hymn to conceal his confusion
This was simply of many brave GctS OF Emma S
life but she was in the ncight now, and the papers
of the country took up the story just they had the
episode of the fund Emma did not like it at all.
She ALWAYS read with eagerness comments her
work but she had idea that all this talk about her
personal traits and actions uneeling and pre-
sumptuous. 1t annoyed and grieved her, but | must
say that her manager did not geve. These things
causing her personality to loom large IN the
public eye. People were tiockng to the theater not
only to hear the singer but to the woman, which
of course most excellent thing for business.
Everywhere we had to turn people away; everywhere
Emma had admirers.
x
When it was announced that to fill
engagement in Washington, of her friends there
decided to serenade her The plan to have the
Marine Band. then under the leadership of John Philip
Sousa, play beneath the balcony of the Arlington
Hotel where we were stopping midnight after
first performance. The project mentioned to
of course and | mentioned it to Emma.
oh dearl' she exclaimed. I'm afraid it will be
very embarrassing for me. They certainly ought to
+be;r Trouble vet I can't make