The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-05-26
''OUR NARY DECLINES
TO READ IN AMERICA
Mary Anderson de Navarro Adj
heres to Resolve Not to Re.
enterPubiic Life.

OAeAA9 MAY 40. JdILiO0 W.
Morrissey, business manager for Mel
son Roberts, returned yesterday by the
American liner St. Louis from visit
to Mary Anderson de Navarro at her
home, Court Farm, Broadway, about
sixty miles from London, with an ac-
count of his effort to induce the former
actress to appear in a series of read
lngs in the chief cities of the United
States. Mr.. Morrissey said:
Il was greeted cordially by Nine.
de Navarro. She was at home with
her husband and her little eight-year-
old son, Jose, and when / presented to
her the invitation to appear before the
American public, signed by some of
the most distinguished men and wom-
en- in the country. she seemed over
Whelmed with emotion.
She looked at the invitation, which
was done in parchment and silk bro
eade, and exclaimed: Isn't it exqui-
site% She held it up to the light, and,
turning to her husband, said: Look,
dear, see the signatures of so many
famous people. They want me to re-
turn to America
The invitation bears the name of
Cardinal Gibbons, Senator and Mrs
Chauncey M. Depew, Gen. and Mrs.
Nelson A. Miles, Bishop Potter, George
J. Gould, Mayor Mcclellan, John D.
Cr1mmlnS, w. X. Vanderbilt, Charles
J. Bonaparte, Clarence Mackay and
dozen others. 1t suggests that Nine.
de Navarro shall give readings from
the poets, chiefly Shakespeare, Tenny-
son and Longfelfow, and that a part of
the gross receipts be devoted to char
ity.
Mime. de Navarro read the invita-
ton aloud in the old familiar voice
that has bewitehed so many thou
sands of Americans
Naturally, II was very anxious to
get favorable reply from her, and
urged her to give an immediate an
swer. She said. 81 am deeply touch
ed. This is a very serious proposition.
l will let you know in a few days. 1
could not appearcund more distin-
guished auspices.'gf
81 looked with an inquiry in my
eyes at her hubahd, and he looked at
Nine. de Navarro and said, DO as you
please, my dear sfYou have my con-
sent if you wish to accept Our con-
versation then turned ION terms and
conditions, and BteId Nine de Navar-
70 that everything would be arranged
to suit her when she had decided to
come to America. had made friends
with little Jose, and the last words
that 1 heard when i drove away were
these, from him: I'll coax mamma to
come, Mr.. Morrissey.'
Il got Nine. de Navarro's reply on
May Z. Although she had declined the
invitation, / have not by any means
given up the idea of persuading her to
come here. You know what woman's
NO often means; and besides / have
the cooperation of little Jose-a large
consideration. Nine. de Navarro was
in splendid health and her voice has
lostsnone of its former charms" ssh
This is Nine. de Navarro's answer to
Mr.. Morrissey:
with a deep sense of my unworthi-
ness of the honor bestowed upon me
by SO many Of Americas most diStin-
guishedemeny both in the religious and
secular world, and with an intense
feeling Of gratitude for their kind
thoughts and words, am still COM
PEELED by conviction not to deviate
from my resolution made fifteen years
ago not again to enter into the rush
and excitement of public life. 1t is.
with real regret that feel impelled to
decline this unique request signed by
so many whom I admire and esteem.
The wish on my part to contribute oc-
casionally to the entertainment and
support of the poor has, it would seem,
been the source Of the report that
was DESTROYS of undertaking a concert
tour on cnarlIdDle IHdnCIdA DdSiS.'
Nothing was or is further from my
mind. have consented to help the
poor here with whatever. talent / may
possess occasionally, but without re-
enumeration to myself. 1 have appeared
five times during the past year in the
cause of charity, and I propose read
ing again at the Peoples palace, East
End, on June %! Further than this
have never considered the possibility
of a professional Teturn to the stage,
concert or dramatic, Notwithstanding
the repeated fiattering offers l have
received since my retirement.
Will you therefore kindly convey my
sincerest thanks and regrets to my
eminent compatriets and accept the
same for yourself? Indeed, 1 appre-
ciate deeply allfthe trouble you have
taken in the matter