Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1897 — A Future Ellen Terry. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Future Ellen Terry.

Richard Mansfield has discovered a girl in whose bosom boras the fires of dramatic genius, and be has the graciousness not only to say that she will some day make a great actress, but that she may become to him what Ellen Terry is to Sir Henry Irving. This from Mr. Mansfield means much. He has never been noted for his lavish commendation of the work of his fellow-artists, and when be condescends to voluntarily rise and remark that a second Ellen Terry is on the horizon it means that the recipient of the compliment must indeed have more than ordinary talent. Alice Pierce is the name of the young woman who has won such high praise. She is a mere slip of a girl, just past

her sixteenth birthday, and hails from Troy, N. Y. On the stage she looks the child she really is. Her slim, gaunt, undeveloped figure, with its serious face and big, piercing eyes, by no means reveals the fires that are beneath. Her early paths in the dramatic art were not different from those of ordinary beginners. Amateur theatricals, little plays at school and similar entertainments served to awaken in her a desire to do something serious. Mansfield’s company was in the city one day, and she went to his hotel and told him of her ambition. The famous actor must have been in a particularly gracious mood, for he listened to her reciting and then offered her a place in his company. She has advanced .-with marvellous rapidity, and in his New York production of “The Merchant of Venice” was cast for the part of Jessica. She has played the part before during the present season, and the dramatic critics have taken to her most kindly. Mr. Mansfield personally coaches her in her work, and he certainly would not make the prediction he did unless the prospects held out rosy promises for Its fulfilment.

MR. MANSFIELD’S 16-YEAR-OLD GENIUS.