The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-05-03
A SAD STORY.
History OF an Exquisite Poem A Stage
struck wife and her Fate.

struck wife and her Fate.
From the Macon (Gs-) sentinel.l
MEssRs. EDlroRs You published in your
paper Of Wednesday morning poem of ex>
trsordinsry merit. The authors name does
not appear, no doubt to the disappointment
of many readers who admire the true and
beautiful sentiment and composition. Know.
ing her history, propose giving brief BIZ
ography.
The maiden name Of the authoress was
Dora Shaw. She was born and grew up into
wsmanhood in Wabash Valley, Indiana. Her
parents were plain, honorable people, blessed
with plenty though not rich, ~ the world
goes. They loved their beautiful Dova and
bestowed on her an education which few e.
males ever receive. That accomplished, her
father and mothers next ambition was to
wed her to some wealthy and distinguished
gentleman. AS is too often the case, they
had the fatal delusion that the daughters
will should be sacrificed upon the altar Of
Msmmon-that wealth and ambition should
be preferred 10 love.
In 1850, F. s. LeBaum and Dora Shaw
were married LeBaum was citizen, and
posssssor OF an immense property in 81.
Louis. Being in the Wabash VALLEY on bust
ness OF his house, he saw, loved and wooed
this young, beautiful aud accomplished wo.
man. be did not get her own, but her pa /.
rents consent, aud the marriage winch fol.
lowed was hslowed by no love, save upon
the side of her husband
Taking his bride home to his splendid pal.
ace in the city, she was there given every
thing that wealth could bestow Still she was
not HAPPY. Did you ever see conteutvd
eagle in gided cage2
The wife was at once introduced TO and be-
e.,4,.. a 4 IL. O..
city. To the outward world she appeared
the happlest of mortsls. illustrating how few
there are who really know the secret sorrows
OF the human heart She passed her hours
10 splendid misery.
~ that time the famous theatrical mana
ger, Ben DeBar, had fine company at the
81. Louis Theatre. His leading star was Miss
Annette lnce-no less renowned for her act>
ing mimic life than her beauty aud many
womaniy virtues. To this theatre Mr.. aud
Mrs. LeBaum went one night, and witnessed
play. Dora had never been inside of =
theatre before, and before the curtain
fell upon the second act she had taken res.
olution which would change the whole course
Of her liie-she had determined TO be an ac-
tress like Miss Inee.
An interview With the manager was easily
obtained, who saw in the aspirations of the
put gold in his purse He gave her encour
agement, dismissed the idea of her FIRST as
suming second part, but assured her she
should make her debut in the leading charac>
ter Of the play she had witnessed-Julia, in
the +" Hunchback.r More than encouraged
indeed completely resolved, Dora at once
commenced the study of the play, and pos
sessing quick intelligence, was at least mas.
ter of the language in . few days,
Private rehesrssls appeared to give
perfect satisfaction to the manager as well as
to the congratulated for that particular
purpose and for that occasion. All this was
kept from the husband.
One morning the. city was thrown into Q
fever by an announcement in ell the journals,
and upon all the bulletin boards, that I" Miss
Dora Shaw would appear that night as Julia,
in Sheridan Knowles great play entitled the
/" Huncb back ~ LeBaum aud his friends
were struck as it by thunderbolt from heav-
en-. He first entreated, appealed and threat.
ened his wife. and next the manager, and
finally AIRED his intention TO murder her
upon aage the moment she made her ap-
pearanc All TO no purpose. The manager
duly had oil this passed into the streets,
which of course increased the sensation and
strengthened the desire 10 attend. Every
ticket was sold by 9 block, aid it 10 need.
less to say that when night came that place
Of amusement occupied the thoughts of the
city.
The curtain rose-Dora appeared-wslked
stamnered. hlushcd, and repeated her par
mechanically, like any school girl reading
her composition at an examination. Still
the audience was plessed-not by the acting
but by the novelty Of the occasion The
next, the third, the fourth and fifth night
were like the first. The morbid appetite o.
the public, satisted with novelty, demanded
good acting. This Dora could not supply
The au dience fell off, the manager becam,
restless, dissatisfied, and refused TO offer
re engagement. but intimated that she haC
best 90 to another city.
In the meantime Le3aum sued for di
vorce, which was rapidly granted BY tn
court, The next appearance of Dora va
in New Orleans, where her former social po
sition was unknown, and where she wa
wholly thrown upon her merits ss an actres
for success II we're needless to say tina
she failed.
The rest Of the story is soon told Aban
doued By friends, home, husband, Pennies
she fell-to use her own words:
Poi Ike the snow Gskes. from heaven 70 he'll
Eel 10 b. trampled like nth in the street;
Fe'- 70 ~ scoGed. 70 be spit on and beat
Pleading,
Cursing.
Dreading TO dies
Selling her soul 10 whoever would buy.
D,aiinrin shame for a morsel of bread,
Hating he living and fearing ths dead.