Warren sheaf., 1905-07-06


Farm experiment., the company was a
most brilliant one. First and foremost
there was; Modjeska, co-experimenter
Sienkiewicz, author of Quo Vadis; Pad
erewski, who needs NO explaining FL
nancially the experiment failed the
company dishanded- Modjeska then
sought to, retrieve the fortunes of the
family in San Francisco, her husband,
Count Bozenta, who was i'll, spending
part of his tune in the south in the en-
deaNor to gain kealth-
San francisco did not pay much at
tention, to this talented woman the
atrical managers looked apon her with
a certain suspiciou,, were wary OF a lady
of title seeking a. career as actress. At
in the city, and Aer assumptions were
not accompanied hy any superior talent.
But MOdleska. had three qualities that
make for success; possession of talent,
belief in herself, and indamitahle en-
ergy. Sha at once set to- work at study
Of the English language, and in three
months: and a half mastered the parts Of
u
and Ophelia.. She spoke with an accent.
but her accent was adorable.
1t was a hard matter to get manager
to give her hearing, but finally one was
coralled. Modjeska read for him the
last act af Adrierne Lecouvreur, "and
made such an impression he begged to
bring John Mccullough. who was then
a theatrical manager, to hear her. She
was at once booked for two weeks en-
gagement at the California theater.
That was in 1877. The first night she
played to a small house, but enjoyed a
triumph. Her teacher of English, Miss
Josephine Tucholsky, says of this first
appearance: There never was any,
thing seen like it, think, in San Fran
cisco, theater before nor since: People
stood up, they cheered, they cried, they
wanted to stampede upon the stage and
shake the hand of this woman who had
made their emotions the plaything of
her genius"
Thirty-eight years Mme Modjeska
has acted in English, playing in this
country and in London, and to-day her
admirers, multitude, are slow to con-
cede that she shows signal loss of pew
er. She has played many parts in her
time, in tragedy of marie Stuart - and
in Camille" winning laurels,, as
Ophe1ia, Lady Macbeth and other lead
ing Shakespearean parts, displaying the
'delicacy and finish of her art.
When resting from her professional
duties, Modjestka seeks the sechasion of
her beautiful California ranch: for it is
in that western state, where first she
sought refuge, where her American tri-
umphs began, she has established her
home. The Count and Countess Bozen-
ia dispense here generous, gracious
hospitality, and indulge in their hobby,
country life. Among her fruits aud
flowers the actress has spent her wax
ing hours when the round of theatrical
| duties was finished, and doubtless here
she will pursue the days of her hard
| earned rest.
| For she has this year taken Farewell
| of the stage, at the great benefit per-
formance given her lately in New York
! she made her last bow to the public. It
is with regrets her Longtime friends
see her withdraw from the stage she has
graced and given prestige to, but al
must grant she has earned her holiday
A generous woman, ever glad to give
a helping hand, is Modjeska, and to-day
mot few that have risen to high place
point to her as patron and inspiration
She helped Paderewski pursue musica
1 studies at Vienna; under her auspices
Jean and Eduoard de Reszke first ap
peared at concert. But while she is 8
warm friend, she is also an outspoke1
enemy of oppression; and her denuncia
tions of Russian tyranny has made /,
wise to live in exile from Poland.
CHRISTOPHER WEBSTER.
Favorite Decoration.
For children's S hats forget -mernots or,