The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-02-01
THE FALLEN SNOW.

A correspondent of the Macon ga.
Sentinel tells a strange story in connection
with the poem under the above title. He
says
The maiden name Of the authoress was
Dora Shaw. She was born and grew into
womauhood in the Wabash Valley, Indiana.
Her parents were plain, honorable 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 gentleman, as is too often
the case, they had the fatal delusion that
the daughters will should be sacrificed up
on the altar of mammon-that wealth and
ambition should be preferred to love.
| In 1850, +. S. LeBaum and Dora Shaw
were married. LeBaum was a citizen aud
the possessor of an immense property in
| st. Louis. Being in the Wabash Valley,
upon business for his house, he saw, loved
and wooed this young, beautiful and ac-
complished woman. He then obtained her
parents consent, and marriage, which fol-
lowed, 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 3hat wealth could bestow Still |
she was not happy. Did you ever see a
contented eagle in gilded 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, illus
trating how few there are who really
know the secret sorrows Of the human
heart. She passed her hours in splendid
misery.
At the time the famous theatrical mana
ger, Ben DeBar had a fine company at the
St. Louis Theater His leading star was
Miss Annette Ince-no less renown for act
ing mimic life than her beauty and many
womanly virtues. To this theater Mr.. and
Mrs. LeBaum went one night and witnessed
play Dora had never been inside of
theater before, and before the curtain fell
upon the second act she had made resolu-
ton which would change the whole course
of her life-she had determined to be en-
actress like Miss Ince.
An interview with the manager was easl-
" obtained. who saw in the aspirations Of
the lady a chance to make splendid hit,
and put gold in his purse. He gave her
dismissed the idea OF her !
first assuming a second part, but assured
Uer she WOulu llldh6 Itl 'ttOtt III bL4S lSt'NA |
ing character of the play she had witnessed,
Julia" i'll tie ''Hunchback.' More than
encouraged, indeed, completely resolved,
Dora at once commenced the study of the !
play, and, possessing quick intelligence, t
was at least master of the language III {
few days. Private rehearsals appeared to q
give perfect satisfaction to the manager, as Y
well as to the company trained for that par |
ticular purpose and for that occasion. All f
this was kept from her husband. 5
On morning the city was thrown into a {
fever by the announcement in all the jour |
nails, and upon the bulletin boards, that l
''Miss Dora Shaw would appear that night
as Julia, iR Sheridan Knowles great play, :
entitled the Hunchback. LeBaum and .
his friends were struck as if by thunder S
bolt from Heaven He first entreated, ap~ 5
pealed and threatened his wife, and next c
the manager and finally declared his lnten> a
ton to murder her upon the moment \
she made her appearance. The manager 2
duly had all this passed into the streets,
which of course increased the sensation 5
and strengthened the desire to attend. o
Every ticket was sold by nlne o'clock, b
and it were needless to say that when nlght
came that place of amusement occupied "
he thoughts of the city.
The curtain rOSe-Dolh Appeared VAN
"a, stammered blushed and repeated her
,art mechanically any girl reading
Ter composition at an examination. The u
udience was pleased-by the novelty of I, I,
he occasion The next, the third, the a.
ourth and fifth nights were like the first. =
The morbid appetite of the public, satiated =,
With novelty, demanded good acting y,
This Dora could not supply. The audience -
ell of, the manager became restless and 4
efused to offer reeengagement, but init f.
mated that she had best go to another city. ~,
In the mean time LeBaum sued for +,
ivorce, which was readily granted by the
ourt. The next appearance of Dora was f.
t New Orleans. where her former social =,
osition was unknown, and where she was al
brown upon her merits as an actress Tor h
uccess. 1t were needless to say that she ~
allied to elicit one single plaudit. in
The rest of the story is soon told.
.bandoned by friends, home, husband =
nd penniless, she fell-to use her own l, l,
ords: W.
ell like the snOwAakes, from heaven 10 he'll. H.
ell 10 he tramplcd as filth in Me street, 4
ell, to be scohed, to be spit on and beat -
Pleading
CuTsnE,
Drcading to die,
Hing her soul to whoever would buy IN
ealing in shame for morsel OF bread, Ter
"a. l3,.fr, and fNer mo hn Al