Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-15
The eliminating
Romance in the Career
of Elsie Ferguson
Who Has Risen from \
Chorus Girl to Brzde-fo-
Be of a Multi
Millionaire's Son

be gripaed at" was her procurement
to her mother after her fourth season as
merry merry"
One manager, hearing Of her determi-
nation expressed in few quiet words,
thought there might be something In
her" She appeared in speaking part
in brief lived play of Western life,
pierre OF the Plains" 1t would be untrue
to say that Elsie Ferguson trotted off with
the play thrown over her shoulder. But
those who saw her play the tiny part
remembered the young girl with the deep
tones and the clear-cut chin, the dainty
nose. the beautiful mouth. the dignity
that exceeded her years, and more par
ticularly the deep, rich notes Of her voice.
To be remembered is something. 1t is
very great deal. If you are remembered
with sufficient force you have arrived,
and Elsie Ferguson had determined to
arrive.
They shall see that / can strike a
deeper chord" Miss Ferguson told her
mother, and kept her word when she
played girl of the slums with fine effect
In The Battle" From that time the
name Elsie Ferguson began to have sig.
plcance in the theatrical world, to
mean something more than mere Broad
way beauty that shines for few seasons
in the night restaurants, vanishes, and is
forgotten. For Satan took the pretty be.
gnner to the top OF the mountain and
promised her much of the ordinary spoils
OF Broadway, the diamonds and fine
gowns and automobiles. It was In that
period before everybody owned an auto
mobile. But Elsie smiled her serene
smile aud waved him away
II know what l want, and 1t Is not
Broadway cafe life"
Walk carefully. Elsie You're walking
an old friend and wise.
81 know it," she answered. 81 will
count my steps"
1t was shortly after this she married.
Frederick Hoey was the son Of the pres-
dent of the Adams Express Company. He
approved the theatre and he especially
approved Elsie Ferguson
do you think an actress should
marry?" someone asked the bride.
measured tones. IF the husband does
not interfere with her ambitions"
Certainly Frederick Hoey did not in
terfere, at first, with them. He was q
most dutiful husband. always escorting
his wife to the playhouse and always call.
ing to take her home. His days he EN-.
ployed in the real estate business.
But times changed as times persist in
doing. and with them persons. The real
estate business grew less. The young
wife's income was needed to keep the
machinery OF the home at West End,
N j., smoothly moving. Four years after
her marriage Frederick Hoey's girl wife
divorced him. She made no explanation
more specific than the remark, Il have
always known what wanted, and what
don't want"
Clearly Frederick Hoey was something
she did not now want
Miss Ferguson was chosen to represent
Such Little Queen" So balanced, so
intelligent, so we'll defined, with so power.
full personality behind it, was her work
that within week the leading woman OF
the play had become its star. When after
first sip of her coffee she read the big
news crowded into two lines of theatrical
notes, Elsie Ferguson spilled the coffee.
For she mad flung OF the bedclothes and
was expressing ner JOY in dance.
II jumped up in bed and danced on
the mattress" was her story OF the Joy
that announcement brought her.
She had become star. But Elsie Fer.
guson was far too canny not to know that
the theatrical Ornament has its comets.
She would be no shooting star, but one
firmly established, fixed star
1t was no easy way to get this thing
she SO lucL wanted.
Several plays were provided for her
which were charming setting for her
youthful beauty and her fine intelligence.
nI. IA. a.. So