The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-10
Fighting F~emininity.

- @1.1 -
ana elsewhere. She has become rather
a bad lot oil Wild Oates since she
played IN Raleigh, but she can still kick
up a row. \ recent issue of the St.
Louis Times furnishes the following
The cause Of the trouble was an ar
tlcle which appeared yesterday morn
ing, wherein an interview with Miss
Iiez A. Sexton. one of the chorus.
were gwen. In the interview Miss
sexton gave a brief outline OF her re-
inarkabIe career, end followed it with a
statement which Mrs. Oates construed
as an attack upon the moral character
OF herself and the other lady members
OF the company. The statement WIS
III effect that Miss Sexton tho, ght it
strange that she, who had always lived
a pure lite and was blessed with musical
talents of high order, could not advance
rapidly IN her profession. while Others
whose moral character was under a
cloud, succeeded in everything and be-
came a public fayorite. Miss Sexton
afterward stated that she intended this
TO apply to the stage at large, and not
to any particular company. But Mrs.
Oates felt that her honor was impugn-
ed. n hence the course she adopted.
Miss Sexton was in her dressing
room preparing for the matinee, when
she was startled by hearing a strange
noise the green-room, followed by the
voice OF Mrs. Oates, raised to a sharp
tone, saying, Where is that thing?-
let me get at her-where is she?-TH
give 1t to her. and before Miss Sexton
could comprehend the nature of the
nature Of the disturbance. the
door Of her room was pushed
OPEN, and IN stepped Mrs, Oates. he.
eyes flashing fire, and her pale features
indicating that she was in a terrible
rage. Eyeing the chorus singer sfor a
moment, as if undecided whether to an
nIhiIate her at once or to tear her in
pieces at her leisure, she opened upon
her a perfect torrent of the choicest ex-
presslons at her command. Miss Sexton
endeavored to explain that she intended
no reflection upon any member of the
company, but Mrs. Oates would accept
no excuse. Her moral character, she
asserted had been asa ed. together
with that OF all the lady members of the
dHu sue NdIUCu revenge.
Oh said she, trembling with age
ii was not a lady | would knock you
down and tear your eyes out. You
claim to be the only ~virtuous woman in
the company! Oh, you horrid thing!'
At this point Ada Dow came to Mrs.
Oates assistance, and the couple was
soon reinforced by W or three other
members of the company, whe poured
upon the head Of the unfortunate
chorus singer a food ofabuse and threats
Of violence. Mrs. Oates apparently
freed her mind, gave place to
Miss Dow. with the remark, slap her
face, Ada the nasty thing. If you re
woman, yOuU give hera good beating
for what she has said about all Of US
Miss Sexton said nothing, but was
evidently much terrified at the threat
ening Of her visitors, and tried
to look as fierce as possible.
"Don't roll your big eyes up at me-
said Mrs. Oates +; and don't you dare
step your foot upon that stage to-
With this remark she left the room,
md was soon followed by her friends,
Miss Sexton. left alone, began to dress
herself for the street, while she gave
way to her emotions in tears. She was
about to leave her room. when a boy
handed her an envelope, in which was
he following note and S47:
Miss Sexton: Inclosed please find
our salary to date Your services are
longer required, in consequence of
he very %ungenerous way in which you
ave treated your sister professionals in
our interview in the Times this morn
lg.
r. Z. J. MILES,
Manager, Oates Opera Company.
Miss Sexton then left the theatre
nd went to her room. She said that
Irs. Oates had told her that if she said
nything more to a reporter.
SHE WOULD HoRsEwHIP HER
nd have her put in prison. She was
cry much overcome by her trouble, and
mid her tears and sobs told of the I'M
list treatment she had received at the
ands of Mrs. Gate. She seemed ut
erly broken down at being thrown out
f employment in the height of the
,ason. She attributed the trouble to
which eliminated upon the
utilization of the interview in question.
lying that she had been purposely kept
the chorus, when she had been
romised a better position because her
DICE was superior to that OF any other
male member of the company.
About s o'clock last evening Miss
exton went to the theatre to get a por-
on of her wardrobe which had been
there, and was standing near the :
age door waiting for the property boy
bring it to her, Mrs. Oates saw her !
ID with fire in her eyes remarked, s
What are you doing here, you dirty s