Washington telegraph., 1851-02-12

/
"Sometimes [ took her to her mothers
grave where she was sure always to bring
some simple flower, and | would tell her
of one who lay beneath, so good, so gen.
tie and so kind, telling her that she must
try and be like her; and then she'd ask
me many artless questions-if she was
in heaven then, and if she loved me as
tenderly as did she, and when she spelled
the only word upon the head-stone-
simply 'MARY-she said, why, that is
my name, too.
"My salary became inadequate to my
wants-I pinched myself sadly to allow
my daughter education, and to enable her
to dress pretty, and that she might no..
suffer for any thing. So l applied for
more and told them [ could not live with
what had. But, alas! they aswered that
my request could not be complied with;
they said they would retain me. paying
me what was receiving. or that might
90, for although | was favorite, l was
growing weak and old, and many a
younger one was waiting for the chance
and station | then had.
"I demurred, but it was of no avail
pleaded poverty, but that was no help,
and l was turning to leave, when once
the manager spoke to me:
"'If you are poor and wanting, as you
say l can name a way i'll which you can
gain money.
"'Name it, eagerly cried [.
"Your daughter-she is young and
| handsome she.
"sWhat do you mean by the words?'
shouted I, as stood painting before him.
".Why not train her for the arena!'
"Horrible idea! Train my little Mary
| for the arena No, no, could not think
of such a thing. | could not find i. in
my heart to bring that dear one. pure as
she ntouched-nnsullied yet by
sin-into the midst of the many low and
vile creatures hanging around such a
place. No, no; the thought was agony
$50 [ tolled on harder and harder than
ever. Little did those who laughed so
loudly, long and heartily. think the heart
of him who caused them 20 do so was
sadly beating while he sang the merry
song, or danced and capered telling his
curious Jokes, and laughing out so loudly
to himself-ah, nc! At length nature
could support it no longer; l grew sick
and was scarcely able to 60 through with
nv performance, and the words of the
mana ger required to me again--lhere was
no alternative, and was forced to bring
her to the house.
"And that hour when she stepped
therein | curse-aye, curse it from my
| heart
And here the poor maniac, after talking
so nationally, and for such length OF
time, covered his face with his hands, and
swaying his body to and fro, uttered loud
curses and cries. Upon this feared that
the remainder of his story was lost, and
waited long for his paroxysm to cease.
BY degrees his voice subsidized, and he
commenced
| "She murmurred not-she said she was
glad tnat she could be earning something
to assist me in my poverty. and she would
do her best to learn and please. Poor
child, poor Mary.
"Weeks, weeks-and many too, We
practised every day for hours, and she
would not say she was tired-no COM
plaint, no: one-and she learned too,
rapidly.
l.
day, all night, not moment could my
ewes be from her. After hours and hours
of training and toll, she was prepared for
the debut. The day preceding the night
was sad enough 10 me We went to-
gether TO her mothers grave and sat an
hour or two. | told her that she was
soon to come before the world-that she
would be surrounded by sin, misery and
temptatiou-bu: ever to treasure the
memory of that mother who, when living,
was free from taint, and peerless as the
driven snow. She was so young that
she did not understand me fully, but said
sweet child-that she would go to heaven
to meet her there, and if she would, she
must be good to do so.
"The night arrived-portentous night
and with sadly beating heart. put
on my customary habliments. Mary was
to appear in two performances-in the
first alone, the second in con- junction with
the hest performer in the arena-how
sweetly did she look when all at;ired for
her first appearance. Never had she
looked so beautiful, with her little spangl-
ed frock and tights, SO like sylph, so
pure, so innocent. Again and again l
kissed her, and bade her fear not.
"The house, long before the advertised
time for the raising Of the curtain, was
densely packed for the announcement
of the first appearance in public of the
daughter Of -. had been long un-
derlined, and been heralded forth in glow
ing words for several days. Yes, men
came to look upon the one whom poverty
had compelled to appear; whom want
had driven from her peaceful home, and
to laugh at the jests of her sad-hearted
father.