Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-11-28

Interview With Mrs. Tom Thumb


III mGuV0 CIS0JS, was QO1nS some re,
markable stunts on a trapeze. Then
came Tom, the pony paradox. Tom is
IN equine Datas, who is great at fig
ures answers all sorts Of questions by
shaking or nodding his head, and paw
ing in the sand. He told the hour cor
rectly by Jesse Lewisohns watch;
and then, being closely interrogated,
declared that the timepiece was OF
brass, and worth 81!
We came out of the circus and were
lured by that coquettish, wee Paris
ienne, Queen Nab. She would make
an awfully pretty watchcharm-but all
we could get to bring away was a
thrown kiss.
Joe Casino, the midget Frohman,
took us behind the scenes of the opera
house, and it was a tight squeeze.
There we met the two tiny Tyrolean
sisters, Anita and Paula-lovely little
dolls both of EN-. If they were no.
so modest they might be billed as the
show girls of Iilliputia.
Harmony tried to slip Paula in his
pocket and carry her off for a souvenir,
but was caught and prevented by
Fraulein Hanse Andre, their demure
chaperonette.
Now it was time for the count and
countess and the baronial brother-in
law to come on the stage.
They played a farcial sketch entitled
The Enchanted Statue. 1t is an ole
classic, and is funny as they play it;
but no diving person knows what it is
about. The count said it had mean.
ing in the original Italian, from which
language he translated and adapted it
years ago, but that all clue had subse
quently been lost.
The count and the baron are really
admirable comedians and keep their
! audience in roars; while the countess
plays her leading-lady role with the
quantity delicate humor of Mrs. Gil
bert.
Outside the theater her carriage
waited. 1t is the identical coach pre-
sented to Tim Thumb in 1884 by the
prince OF Wales, now King Edward
VII of England This is a swagger
vehicle in every respect, of the best
London make, and shows no more
signs Of breaking down or wearing out
than did DR.. Holmes wonderful one,
boss shay.
When we returned to the countess
salon we found her a charming and
hospitable hostess, while the two little
mlddle-aged gentlemen, her husband
and brother-in-law, had donned formal
evening dress and were ready to con
verse on topics of the day in English,
French, Italian or Spanish. as we
might prefer.
They are, indeed, cultured, travelled.
wellread and well-bred men of the
world, and in talking with them one
soon fOrgetS their diminutive stature
Our own enormous bulk is another
matter, as we step gingerly over dwarf
pianos and bedsteads and finally
crouch down on the floor so as to- be
in speaking range of the lady of the
domicile, as she sits on her dolls,
house and entertains us with kindly
gayety.
"Oh, our theater sketch is just play
circus, you know" she laughs. mo. /
am not doing any serious writing or
thinking on that. 1t is true am
fond Of literary work and keep diary.
Also, have seen a good deal of the
world, and met many people, all kinds,
so ought to be a pretty good judge OF
character. But here in this busy little
community I find it difficult to concen-
trate my thoughts.
do like this sort of life? Well, it
agrees with me, as you see. I sup
pose if I should absolutely retire from
public life, | should miss it's constant
excitement and novelty"
"Ah! then that is Why
Now, seriously, let me tell you the
determining reason why | accepted
this summer engagement here, at my
age and when presumably I don't need
the money. 1t seems to puzzle many
people, and even TO worry some.
Well, I have a fine, comfortable home
at Middleboro, Mass The trouble is
it is too comfortable. When go there,
| am petted and coddled like the en-
wv
lift finger to do anything for myself,
and every possible wish is anticipated.
They even think for me. The result
is that | become listless, and luxurious
and, what is worse, fat. Why be bur
den to ones self and others. Besides,
I am a woman of affairs, accustomed
to having the public drop in to see
me; and like my friends, the chill
dren, young and old, trooping around
me-
"You are a Kings Daughter aren't
you?" we remark, noticing the silver
cross on her bodice.
Eyes, and member of the Actors
Church Alliance and of the Woman's
Aid society, and Daughter of the
Revolution, too" she adds, proudly ex-
hibiting her badges. Life has so
many interests for me-and I was al
ways taught to be cheerful and
tbO11ohtf11J for Othnrc That 1znnnc q