BIJOU HERON’S NEW GUARDIAN.
She Selects Mr. Albert M. Palmer—A Letter from Dion Boucicault.
Bijou Heron, otherwise Helen Wallace Stoepel, the daughter of Matilda Heron, visited the Surrogate’s office yesterday. She was in deep mourning. Mr. James J. Traynor, who, at the request of Matilda Heron, on taking the guardianship of the daughter in 1873, expressed his willingness to give place to someone else should the young lady so desire. Miss Heron, while entirely satisfied with Mr. Trayner, who was an intimate friend of her mother when she needed friends, preferred someone belonging to the theatrical profession. She would not, in course of law, be entitled to select her own guardian until next September, when she will be fourteen years of age. In view of her intelligence, however, the Court allowed her to make her own choice, and she named Mr. Albert M. Palmer who accepted the trust.
Miss Heron has no property, all her earnings have been used in the support of herself and her mother: but a guardian is needed to sign her theatrical engagements. Her father, Robert Stoepel, formerly of Wallack’s orchestra, in this city, is in London. Matilda Heron instituted a suit for divorce from his seven years ago, and a complete separation was the result.
Miss Heron has received the following letter from Dion Boucicault:
MY DEAR BIJOU. I am very sorry that I am not in New York that I might replace your father by your side at this moment. You know I am his oldest friend—the oldest he has in the world—and his love for you is very great. He has no other [Illegible] in the world. When the news of your dear mother’s death reached me, I [Illegible] and received his reply. He begs you to go to him, and I am sure you will do so as soon as you can. He is all now that is left to you know in the world, and you have yet to learn how good and simple hearted and noble he is. I who have known and loved him for thirty one years have never had unkind words or a moments difference him in all this life of friendship. You are all to him now, and I am sure you heart turns toward him, and you long to be with him. He desires me to provide for all you may require, and to act for you as if I were your father. Mr. Wallack will call upon you. [Illegible].
The Sun 3/16/1877. Print.