Matilda Heron and Her Bijou
New York World.]
When complimented upon her performance, she would say, alluding to Bijou: “Ah, she is the future greatest actress in the world. Wait till you see her, and that will be when I bring her out.” Indeed, her affection for her child amounted to a passion; she lived in her and for her. A few months ago, in a fit of eccentricity, she conceived the idea that some one was trying to separate them. Instantly she moved from her lodgings and sought apartments in an obscure part of the city, remaining concealed there for several weeks, while her friends were seeking in vain to discover her whereabouts.
Bijou Heron is now fifteen years old, she is slight, graceful and good looking, but with a prematurely old and careworn air and manner. This is due, no doubt, largely to the life of constant excitement and anxiety that she has led with her mother. She is really more womanly than most women twice her age. Her friends and those of her mother are anxious that she shall now retire from the stage for a time and seek the training and recreation of other girls of her age, which she has hitherto lacked, either in a school or with a family. It is not improbable that this will be done, and, if it is, Miss Bijou is, in the opinion of those who are competent to judge, destined to great success as an actress. The means to enable her to pursue the course suggested are likely to be raised either by a benefit performance or by subscription from professional friends of Miss Heron, many of whom are indebted to her for past kindnesses.
Public Ledger 3/19/1877. Print.