MATILDA HERON’S DAUGHTER.
CHOOSING A GUARDIAN FOR “BIJOU”—SHE SELECTS MR. ALBERT M. PALMER TO ACT IN THAT CAPACITY—HER AMBITION TO BECOME A GREAT ACTRESS—LETTER FROM DION BOUCICAULT.
During the latter part of Matilda Heron’s lifetime she became very solicitous about the guardianship of her daughter, Helen Wallace Stoepel, better known as “Bijou Heron,” whom she had trained for the stage.
“[B]ijou” had expressed her unalterable intention to make the stage her profession, saying that nothing could prevent her from giving herself up wholly to it [. . .].
Although “Bijou” is not yet 14 years old, she has the appearance of a young woman of 18. She is tall and slender, with an exceedingly well proportioned figure, an oval face, large and expressive eyes, and a countenance beaming with smiles. There is an air of sprightliness in her manner, softened by sweetness and amiability, which renders her extremely interesting.
In the course of conversation with “Bijou,” she stated her preference for remaining in this country, and said that she would soon published two original plays completed by her mother a short time previous to death. She says she has no aversion to her father, and that it is probable that, notwithstanding she has a good education, some of her friends might feel disposed to have her enter a female college, but that she will not go to England to see her father nor go to any seminary or college, as she is passionately wedded to her profession and will allow nothing to distract her attention from continuing in it under the supervision of the friends who have stood by her thus far in her attempts. “Bijou” left the Surrogate’s office saying she was sure now that she was in a fair way of satisfying the ambition of her life—to be a great actress.
New York Times 3/16/1877: 8. Print.