New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-26

she could be happy; here she learned TO know her
self; and the moment she knew herself abe abhorred
bersslf ard repented in dust and ashes
This strong and straightforward character made no
attempt to reconcile two things that average Chris
tan would have continued TO reconcile. Her interest
fell IN a moment before her new sense of night. she
flung her profession from her like poisonous weed
Long before this Mrs Nene bad begged her to leave
the stage. She had replied that it was to her what
wine is TO weak stomacbs. % But added she, do
not fear that wild ever crawl down hill and unravei
my reputation; nor viii ever do as nave seen
othors-stsnd grooming at the wing, to go on ggghng
and come of gaspng. No the frst night that boards
do not spring beneath my feet, and the pulse OF the
public beat under my hand, am gone Next day, at
rehearsal. instead of Wellington, note will come, to
tell the manager that henceforh Wellington Is herself
at TwickeI ham, or Richmond, or HaTow-on-the-
Hill-for from his dust, his din and his glare-quie
till God takes herr amid grass, and flowers, and char
table deeds."
This dsy had not come: il was in the zenith Of her
charms and her fame that she went home one night,
after play and entered theater by front door
or back door again. She declined all leave-taking
and ceremony.
"Whsn publican shuts up shop and ceases to diff
fuse liquid poison he does no. invite the world to put
up the Shutters neither will Actors overrate them
selves ridculously," added she; 81 am not of that
importance to the world, nor the world 10 me. | fling
away dirty old glove instead of soiling my fingers
filling il with guineas, and the world loses in
whst another old glove, full of words half Of them
idle, the rest wicked, untrue, silly or impure.
RovgissoHs, tatsons-noHs, ct Partons.
She DOW changed her residence and withdrew po-
litey from her old associates counting two classes
only, the good and the poor. She had always sup
ported her mother and sister; but now charity be-
came her system. The following is characteristic:
gentleman who had greatly admired this dashing
actress met day in the suburbs lady In an old
black silk gown and a gray shawl with a large basket
Oh her arm. She showed him its cont snts-vorsted
stock ngs OF pTodgious thckness-which she was car
ryiDg to some Of Der Protegts.
"But surely that is q waste Of your valuable time"
demonstrated her admirer. "Much better buy them"
/" But, my good soul, replied the representative Of
Sir Harry Wldair "yOu can't buy them. Nobody in
this vretched town knit worsted hose except Wof
fDgion."
Conversions like this are open to just suspicion,
and some did not fail to cOnfOund her with certain
great sinners, who have turned austere selfdeceiyeB
when sin smiled no more. But this was mere conjec-
ture The facts were clear, and speaking to the con-
trary. This left folly at its brightest and did
not become austere; the contrary, though she
laughed less she observed to smile far oftener than
before. She a humble and peniten, but cheerful,
hopeful Christian.
Another class Of deiractors took q somewhat oppo-
site ground they accused her OF bgOtry for advising
Young female friend against the stage a business.
But let us hear herself This is what she said to the
girl:
" At the bottom of my heart 1 always loved and
honored virtue Yet the tendencies of the stage so
completely overcame my good sentiments that | was
for years worthless woman 1t ls situation OF un-
common end inccssant temptation. Ask yourself my
child whether there is nothing else you can do but
this. 1t is, think, our duty and our wisdom to fly
temptation whenever we can as it is to resist it when
we cannot escape it,
Was this the tone OF big0try
Easy in fortune, pcntent, but cheerful, Mrs. Voting
ton had now but one care-to eflace the memory of
her former SELF and to give as many years to purity
and pety as bad gone to folly and frailty. This was
not to be. The Almighty did not permit, or perhaps
i should say did not require this
Some unpleasant symptoms had long attracted her
notice. but in the hustle Of her profession had received
little attention. She was now persuaded by her own
medical attendant to consult DIR. Bowdler, who had
great reputation, and had been years ago acquaint
ance and an admirer. He visited her; he examined
her by means little used in that day, and no saw at
once that her days were numbered.
Dr. Bowdlers profession aud experience had not
seeed his heart they generally do and must do He
could not tell her this sad news; 80 he asked her for
pen and paper, and said: :" will write prescription
TO Dir -" He then wrote, not prescription, but
a few liues begging Mr.. - to convey the cruel In
tehgence by degrees, and with care aud tenderness
- It's ali we can do for her." said he.
He looked so grave while writing the supposed pre-
scIiption that it uDuckiy occurred 10 Mrs. Voting
ton 10 look over him. She stole archly behind him,
and, With smile on her face-read her death-warrant
Ii was a cruel strOkcl A gaspng sigh broke from
her. At this Dr. Bowlder looked up, and 10 his horror
saw the sweet face he had doomed TO the tomb looking
earnestly and anxiousy at him, and very pale aud
whose death-warrant he had signed ran and brought
him glass Of wine, for be was quite overcome. Then
she gave him her hand in her own sweet way, and
bnde him not grieve for her. for she not afraid to
die and had long learned that " life is walking
shadow a poor poor PLAYER who frets and struts his
hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more"
But 10 sooner was the doctor gone than she wep
bitterly Poor soul she had set her heart upon living
as many years to God as she had TO tho world and
she had hoped to wipe out her former self.
"Alas % she said to her sister, 81 have done moro
harm than can ever hope to do good now and my
long life of folly and wickedness will be remembered
will be what they call famous; my short life OF repeat
ance who viii know, or heed. or take to profit y
But she soon ceased to repine. She bowed to the
will of Heaven and set her house In ORDER and wait
ed her summons. The tranquility of her life and her
courageous spirit were unfavorable to the progress of
disease and glad to say she was permitted TO 1--we
nearly three wears after this and these three years
were the happiest period of her whole life Works OF
piey and love made the days eventiul. She was at
home now-she had never been at home IN folly ald
loose living. All her bitterness was gone now, with
its cause.
Reader, It wac with her as it is with many an An;
tumn day. Clouds darken the sum- ram and WIND
sweep over ALL till day Declines but then comes one
heavenly hour when all i'll things seem spent There
ia no more wind no more rain. The great sun comes
forth not fiery bright indeed, but full OF tranquil
glory and warns the say with ruby waves, aad the
hearts of men with hope, parting with us for niue
space. he cdos slowly and peacefully to rest.
So Jared it with this humble penitent and now hap
py Christian. ,,,
A part of her desire was given her. She lived long
enough TO read firm recanlaion Of her former self to
ow the world great repentance and to leave upon
indeble record one more proof what alone Is true
wisdom, and where alone true Joys are to be found
She endured some physical pain, as all must who
die in their prime But this wrung a sigh from
her great heart and within she had the peace of God
" bich passes all understanding
am not strong enough TO follow her to her last
hour; nor is il needed. Enough that her own words
came true. When the great summons came, 1t found
her full of hope and peace aud joys sojournlng not