The Washington times., 1906-05-27
Impressed the Prince.

odette Tyler comes OF distinguished
family Her father. General Kirkland
was Origadier general on the stan OF
Cen Robert E Lee during the civil
war. General Lee himself stood sponsor
Tor the chubby little baby with the fir
tadous blue eyes, who was chrlstened
Bessie Lee Kirkland Her uncle. General
Hardee. was commandant at West
Point during the memorable visit OF tho
young Prince Of Wales TO this coun-rs.
General Hardee was detailed To taJa
cnarge OF the royal visitor and TO see
10 his pleasure and comfort He per-
formed the agreeable task SO well thss
before leaving his royal hiEhness ex-
pressed his appreciation and told The
general that II he or his family shouId
come TO England he would be pleased 20
return his kindness. General Hardee
TaH fond OF reminding his niece Of this
Iact and used 70 tease her afpout ba-
TIP 70 London and ask her how sne
would Ike 10 meet the prince. She uttIa
dreamed her hrst view Of the p-snce
would De from the stage OF a theater.
, .I Du' soch proved 20 be the case for when
MI Frohman sent william CziIIetra
10 London, IN Secret Service - -
asked little Odette Tyler r. 5.t-.~.
inSenue. TO go with him Miss T~-Ie- 49,
escaped from school early in order 70
OeSoIne an actress and she was noe
DOhs In making herself known. A tr5o
70 LONDON was a wonderful opportu1,tv,
AoF SO inexperienced an actress 1.-ber,
1heTe We're so many others waiting for
the chance Miss Tyler did not hest
ts1e. She accepted the offer on the sDot
and then wired her family Of her MANS
Ihere was the usual remonstrance. b1e
u fel on deaf ears and when William
Gillette set SAL Miss Tyler was on
board.
When the Prince of Wales was inform
ed That the niece OF General Hardea vvas
70 make her London debut he sent word
tnat he would be present on the open-
lhs night That was a nervous moment
Ior the entire company. Mr.. Gillette in
luoed- BE called Mss Tyler aside and
'cid her how much depended upon their
making a success 1T all rests with
you,'' he said. IL your comedy does1.t
go we are done for. but II you ara
bright and don't permit your scenes to-
lag the play is saved regardless OF
everything else You must make an fr..A
preston
Miss Tyler has always been very fr1s
pulsive, and the words you must malxs
an impression" worried her. Previous n,
her departure from the States she had
/ been given several yards OF aImoss
priceless lace She was very proud OF
the possession OF this lace with q bis-
tory and had laughingIy remarked that
she would wear II IN London when sh.
wished TO make an impression for she
/ had read IN novels how much the Eng
lish admired and praised real lace. Ths
Iancy seized her to wear this lace on
her opening night and she hastily basts
/ ed II on Surely that would make an
/ impression II she did not She gathered
1t in profussion around the skirt and
waist
The prince was there and sppIaudex
generously He used his glasses of,er,.
| and she felt sure he was examining tbe,
lace.
Just before she made her entrance
/ Mr.. Gillette stopped her and said. ..Irt
heavens name what have you done to-
your beautiful dress7 What is all thaA
you have on it?"
''That7 That?" repeated tha audaciou~
little ingenue. why Mr.. Gillette. tbat.a
lace. real lace. There are yards OF II on
here. It's awfully expensive and Z
couldn't tell you how many hundred
years old II Is. It's so old It's rottin~
away IN places.
| IT looks Ike II, said Mr.. Gillette
''But that's what the English like. vos.
know. am sure they do. You told me to
make an impression and so I fixed nv
| self so that If I don't the lace will -
! Mr.. Gillette gave one groan and hast
! ened to answer his cue.
| The prince was delighted with the per-
formance and sent Miss Tyler his con-
/ gratulations and best wishes for con-
tinued success. Miss Tyler was COM
manded to the royal box and later re-
ceived many social attentions from the
nobility She asked a friend OF the
prince what his royal highness had TO
say about her costume and the answer
i was:
His royal highness remarked about
Miss Tyler's beauty OF face and figure
and added that It seems strange Amer
leans are still wearing ruffies."
'Ruffies." exclaimed the actress In
disgust "AH that beautiful lace and
he didn't even see IT. Wei, you never
can tel Just what the public does
want" Needless to say before the next
performance the RULES were removed.