Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-07-07
THE SECRET OF A
STAGE SUCCESS
Strange and Romantic Expe-
rience of an Actress.

during the performance was, Il tnln
the count very handsome" Nor wa
Mile. GARNER pretty or distinguishe
looking.
On the last night that the compan
performed at Geneva Mile. Garnie
was surprised at receiving card o.
which was engraved the name ''Caspa
Pearson" There was also written II
pencil. ~ shall esteem it favor i
Mile. GARNER will permit me to thanl
her in person for the pleasure she ha
given me-"
Not only was mademoiselle. but th'
rest of the company, astonished. Nom
of the principal actresses had received
such a compliment Mile. GARNER a
once became an important personagt
in their eyes. Caspar Pearson was ad
mitted behind the scenes. He appear
ed to be young man of respectable
ty. He was deferential to the lady, tC
whom he had taken fancy, and after
the play his father who was in the
theater. sent mademeiselle an invita-
ton to sup at the family home.
The father, the mother and the son
united in praising the young actress
bearing on the stage, the well modu-
lated tones in which she had spoken
the few lines assigned her and agreed
that she should have a better part,
predicting final triumph for her in
her art Pearson pere offered to give
her an introduction to his brother in
Paris, who, he said. had great influ-
ence with the press and theatrical man.
ayers. When she left the house for
her hotel young Pearson accompanied
her in the family carriage. He asked
permission to call in the morning and
see her to the train.
The next morning when Caspar Pear.
son drove up to the hotel the eyes of
every member Of the company were
leveled at him. He brought large
bouquet of flowers, which he begged
mademoiselle to accept informing her
at the same time that his father had
telegraphed to Uncle Gaston," in Par
Is, who would meet her at the station
take her home to dinner and consult
as to plan for her advancement in
her profession.
When they reached Paris gentle.
man advanced and asked which was
Mile. GARNER, and when she was point
ed out to him took her to his carriage.
and they were driven to his home
the family estate in Geneva.
"And those fowers," he said. 81
would know at once they came from the
gardens of our old homestead. | laid
out those gardens myself years ago"
"Please accept them" said mademoi-
selle, "since they are so precious to
you"
Uncle CASTOR formed many plans
for Mile. Carriers pursuit of her pro
fession. None of them ever seemed to
come to head. but the attention she
had received bore fruit. The manager
of the company advanced her rapidly.
and it was not long before she had ev-
cry opportunity. Her talents as an ac'
tress were mediocre. but she found a
part that she could play admirably,
and this gained her great success.
Soon after her experience in Geneva
young Caspar Pearson went to Paris
and called upon her She was very
grateful to him for having been the
motive power in starting her upward
in her profession. and after a time he
began to show a great partiality for
her. Uncle CASTOR heard of his neph
ew's attentions and wrote his brother
OF them. The consequence was a visit
to Paris of the Youngsters father and
n violent scene between father and son
in presence Of the actress. the father |
threatening to disinherit the son unless
he gave up his love. The son then
threatened to denounce his father and
his uncle for some offense he did not
state, and consent was finally reluc- |
family given.
Mile. GARNER, now Nine Pearson,
continued to act under her former
name. 1t was not till some time after
her marriage that she reaped the full |
benefit of the start she had received |
and which she considered entirely due
to the admiration her husband had
conceived for her at first sight But
whenever she would give demonstra-
tive evidence of her gratitude her hus-
band would turn away with displeas-
ure and beg her not to mention the
subject One day she asked him:
"Caspar, what did you mean by
threatening to denounce your father
and uncle when they opposed our mar
riage?"
Pearson thought awhile. then said:
81 have a confession to make. Do
you remember the immense bouquet
gave You the morning of your depar-
ture from Geneva?
"Yes. 1t was beautiful"
at contained $4,000 worth of watch
springs"
watch springsT'
ayes. The whole scheme was to
make a smuggler Of you. 1t succeeded
admirably. My admiration and love
for you came afterward."
"0h, Casparr'
"Do not condemn me till have told
you all. The duty on Geneva watch
springs was very large. When at my
fathers death inherited his share Of
the business | hunted up the entry OF
the profit Of those you took in duty
Free and placed an equal sum at inter