The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-21
The Misfortunes of Three Ballet Girls.

To The Editor of The NeD York Herald =
Knowing the interest you take in all that con-
Germs the drama and its professors, no matter
aow humble, we venture to address you on
natter that affects US nearly. At present we
are but humble members OF the theatre but
even we have our rights. which we believe TO
have been deliberately invaded. We are three
Eng liSh girls, members of the corps de ballet at
Wheatley's theatre, and are at present appear-
ing nightly in the ballet
In the early part of the present year Messrs
Jarrett and Palmer, who were then In England
invited us to proceed to New York, and offered
us respectively salaries of f3 per week. On
making out our agreement, knowing our utter
ignorance OF the true value OF American money
Iinstead OF inserting three pounds sterling" as
they distinctly promised us, they inserted the
amount Sl5 which is the sum we are now re-
ceiving weekly; and which, IN spite of repeated
and earnest solicitations they insist on paying u.s.
On our arrival in New York we found that it
takes 81 in greCnbacks to make an English
sovereign, and although we are IN Justice and
honor bound to receive S2l (havlng solemnly
been promised the value of e3) we continue to
receive but Sl6. It Is well-knOWn fact that
Messrs jarrett and Palmer are clearing large
sum weekly by their share in the theatre and
it seems hard case that we three girls, with no
other resources 10 depend on save and except
! the salary produced by our dancing, should
each have 10 lose weekly &C. and we think il
most unworthy on the part of Jarrett and
Palmer to delude young girls from their homes
. in England by false representations as to the
relative value OF money.
The $l5 we are now receiving amount TO about
&2 As, a very little more than our salary was in
+. England, and il is not likely that we would
Gloss the ocean and make journey of over
. three thousand miles TO better ourselves a few
shilliAgs per week. When Jarrett and Palmer
engaged us they knew perfectly we'll that five
dollars did not represent a sovereign, but they
repeatedly assured us that the Two amounts
9lwere equal.
At the present rate Of living in New York, what
i with high rents and the dearness OF provisions
this difference OF SO week would purchase us
&many little comforts. AS to saving ANYTHING
out OF present salary, that Is entirely out Of
1.-THE question. In making their enRagements
#Jarrett and Palmer were careful not TO inform
Nus that the cost of living was dearer in New
I York than in England. Here again they bene
by our ineXperence. ttVIHI
81 We are very sorry. Mr.. Editor, TO have 10 be
compelled to appeal 20 the public press to make
y our voices beard; but will you argue our claim
q with the Crooked Spectators of the corps de
& ballet? Winter is fast approaching. The extra
money to which we are entitled would purchase
us some warm clothing, of which we are sorely
4 In need AS we said before we depend wholly
K and solely upon our salaries; and If you can
mare us the humiliation of having TO pledge
our little fnery and bits OF jewelry that we
brought with us from England, we shalt indeed
feel grateful.
Jarrett and Palmer, secure IN their prosperity
NAV reply that they are fulAllinR their contract
by paying us SIS a week. Our reply is that we