The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-29
The Story of Carrie Lee, an American
Debutante.

The following story is from Olive Logan 5
new book. on the show world, entitled,
Before the Foetlights and Behind the
Scenes one of the most interesting books
of the season:
There is a young lady now upon the
stage-whether in New y DIRK OF some other
city, think l shall not say, for do not
wish to call unpleasant attention to her
whom l once knew as one of the noble ar
my of suffering, struggling womanhood.
Her name, though public property now,
it would not be right in me to give in con-
neetion with the story l am about to tell OF
her: so will call her Carrie Lee.
Being suddenly left fartherless, mother
less and penniless, Carrie Lee was made
ladies, whatever their sympathies, do not
keep boarders for nothing and that the
only irresistible music in this world is the
Jingle of wcll-flled purse.
Knowing then that she must do some
thing for livelihood Carrie Lee investi-
gated the subject of womens employment.
But what could she do' Alas here was
the trouble Carrie Lee had received a
good boarding school education, such as
young ladies Of the present day commonly
receive-a sinattering of French, a smat-
term. Of algebra. Il smattcring of drawing,
a smattcrng of music, and a smatterng of
other gcnteel accomplishments of
which were of very small use to her now.
They would not. or so it seemed, bring her
iii five cents day.
In fact, Carrie had never been taught
anything useful in the world-there is not
one girl in thousand who ever is taught
anything useful, or anything which she
could turn to practical account if she were
obliged to earn her livelihood.
What should she do? Coloring photo
graphs, dress-making, plain sewing, all
these things require time and instruction
before livelihood can be made from them
and in the case of Carrie Lee the material
wants were immediate and must be imme-
diately supplied
Carrie had always had taste for the
stage ; and while she did not think that by
going upon the stage she should at once set
the town in raptures over her, it was not
extraordinary, perhaps, that now in hel
dire strait the thought of earning liveli-
hood thus should occur to her; so without
a word to any one, she set ont in search Of
employment as an actress.
She made application at the door of one
theatre after another, until she found 4
manager who was willing to find what she
could do.
There were not lacking people to raise
their hands in holy horror at the course
taken by this young girl, to say she had
disgraced her family by going upon the
stage: but Carrie bravely went her ways,
and trusted to nothing but her own CON
seriousness Of honor and right.
But the poor girls courage was soon tc
be sadly tested. Once enlisted in the ranks
of a theatrical company, she found that
for rigorous discipline she might as well
have entered the army the managerial fiat
must be obeyed And such dreadful fiat
The first part for which Carrie was cast
was that Of dWhar, i'll "king john ;
part which never would have been given a
novice, but that illness of another member
of the company threw it upon her shoul
ders.
.Al1Anr was good part i'll some respects
but alas, it was a boys part and Carrie
shrunk with uncomfortable pain from tho
idea of donning male attire.
For this she had not calculated when sht
resolved to go upon the stage.
The odium she incurred even by making
all appearance in any guise, however mod
est was sufficient to try her courage to TIN
| utmost but now-to appear in the garb o
a boy-how could she do it?
| What would Charlie think?
| Yes. there was Charlie. Thee Away
| is.
| Charlie was a addressed, good looking
| young fellow, who was a charming beau il
society, danced civinely, and had just abou
brains enough to carry him safely threugl
| the German.
Carrie Lee was in love with this young
man girls will do these things, and the.
! were engaged to be married.