The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-07-25
The Fallen snow--A Sad Story.

merit, has been copied tar and wide by
the press of this country. The authors
name does not appear, no doubt to the
disappointment of many readers who ad-
mire the true and beautiful in sentiment
and composition. Knowing her history,
a correspondent of the Macon (Ga.
Sentinel, gives brief biography.
The maiden name of the authoress was
Dora Shaw. She was born and grew in
to womanhood in the Wabash Valley,
Indiana. Her parents were plain, hon
orable people, blessed with plenty, though
not rich, as the world goes. They loved
their beautiful Dora, and bestowed on her
an education which very few females ever
receive. That accomplished, to wed her
to some wealthy and distinguished gentle
man, as is too often the case, they had
the fatal delusion that the daughters will
should be sacrificed upon the altar of
Mammon--that wealth and ambition
should be preferred to love.
In 1850, T. S. LeBaum and Dora
Shaw were married. LelSaum was citi-
zen and the possessor of an immense prop
erty in St. Louis. Being in the Wabash
Valley upon business of his house, he saw,
loved and woed this young, beautiful and
accomplished woman. He then obtained
her parents consent, and marriage, which
followed, was hallowed by no love, save
upon the side of the husband.
Taking his bride home to his splendid
palace in the city, she was there given
everything that wealth could bestow.
Still she was not happy. Did you ever
see a contented eagle in gilIed cage?
The wife was at once introduced to, and
became the admiration of the best people
of the city. To the outward world she
appeared the happiest of mortals, illustra-
ting how few there are who really know
the secret SORROWS of the human heart
She passed her hours in splendid misery
AT the time, tho famous theatrical
manager, Isen. DeBar, had fine COM
pany at the St. Louis Theatre. His lead
ing star was Miss Annette Ince-no less
renowned tor her acting mimic life than
her beauty and many womanly virtues.
To this theatre Mr.. and Mrs. LeBaum
went one night and witnessed play
Dora had never been inside a theatre be-
fore, and before the curtain fell upon the
second act, she had made a resolution
which would change the whole course of
her lifc-she had determined to be an
actress like Miss Ince.
An interview with the manager was
easily obtained, who saw in the aspira-
tions of the lady chance TO make splen-
did hit, and put gold in his purse. lie
gave her encouragement, dismissed the
idea of her first assuming second part,
but assured her she should make her
DEBUT in the leading character of the play
she had witnessed-"Julia, in the Hmch-
back" More than encouraged, indeed
completely resolved, Dora at once COM
menced the study of the play, and, pos
sessing quick intelligence, was at least
master of the language in few days
Private rehearsals appeared to give per-
feet satisfaction to the manager, as we'll
as to the company trained for that par
ticular purpose and for that occasion.
All this was kept from the husband
One morning the city was thrown into
q fever by the announcement in all the
journals, and upon all the bulletin boards
that ''Miss Dora Shaw would appear that
night as Julia, in Sheridan Knowles great
play entitled the Hunchback." LeBaum
and his friends were struck as if from a
thunGerbolt from heaven. He first en-
treated, appealed and threatened his wife,
and next the manager, and finally declared
his intention to murder her upon the mo-
ment she made her appearance. All to
no purpose. The manager duly had all
this passed into the streets, which OF
course increased the sensation and strength
ened the desire to attend.
Every ticket was sold by 9 o'clock, and
it were needle to say that when night
came that place of amusement occupie
the thoughts of the city.
The curtain rose--Dora appeared--walk-
ed, stammered, blushed and repeated her
part mechanically any girl reading
her composition at an examination. Still
the audience was pleased-not by the act
ing, but by the novelty Of the occasion.
The next, the third. the fourth. and fifth
nights were like the first. The morbid
appetite of the public, satiate6 with novel;
ty, demanded good acting. This Dora
could not supply. The audience fell off,
the managers became restless and refused
to offer a re-engagement, but intimated
that she had best go to another city.
In the meantime LeBaum sued for a
divorce, which was readily granted by the
Court. The next appearance Of Dora was
IN New Orleans, where her former social
position was unknown, and where she
was thrown upon her merits as an actress
for success. 1t were needless to say that
she failed to elicit one single plaudit.
The rest of the story is soon told.
Abandoned by friends, home, husband and
pennilcss, she fell-to use her own words
Fell, like the snowflakes. from heaven to he'll