Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/493

 box at Hammerstein's Opera House at Broad and Poplar Streets in Philadelphia, and heard Mary Garden in the opera Louise. She is an artist both in the use of her voice and in the histrionic part of the performance, showing power as well as skill. We were taken behind the scenes and introduced to her. A large woman, with great vital force, she is thoroughly feminine and has those physical characteristics which prove so attractive to men. In the brief interview she showed that mental alertness which enabled her to do and say what the situation seemed to require. She greeted me with:

“Governor, I am pleased to see you. This is a most distinguished honor,” and she extended her hand and laughed cheerily.

“We have been following your fortunes through the evening with the greatest interest,” I interjected.

“I hope you have not been shocked?” she inquired.

“There was no possibility of our being shocked; we were only absorbed.”

She had been arranging for the next scene and had placed in her bosom six or eight red roses. She drew my attention to them.

“Don't you think. Governor, that I have too many of these for proper effect?”

I could not accept the intimation without the possibility of mistake and, therefore, without indelicacy.

“I think, Miss Garden, that as you are, you are perfect.”

She plucked one of the roses from the bunch and said:

“There, take it. It is artificial, but then it will last the longer.”

“I shall see to it, since you have been so generous, that it lasts a long time.” As a cover she gave another to Mr. Shelly. Then she turned suddenly, clutched it away from him, and said: Rh