The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-14
never known her brilliant genius.

| never known her brilliant genius.
She once remarked 20 friend who was
cognlzant of the circumstances: 'When l
sec him now, rich and respected. but not
great, and think what good husband
he had made, sigh for what | have lost
and rejoice for what Ihavc gained. Never
thcless, fame and fortune only cannot COM
pcnsatc woman for the lifelong absence
of husbands affection, chlldrcp's love,
and the peace and happiness of private
life. When returned from New Orleans
with my voice all gone and in despair. If
he had come forward then and offered nc
and wonld have lived my life untroublcd
ny ambitious dreams, unsuspcCting the
divine ufllatus within HE. l have had a
thousand times over in my hand more than
the money which would have secured my
happiness when girl, and Away think for
what paltry sum my whole domestic
happiness was SACRIFICED
After Miss Cushman had achieved fame
in England, she made tour to this coun-
try. She was thon a woman of middle age,
with remarkably ugly face, but with Il
tall and well. modelled frame. She played
at the National theatre, Cincinnati. Conrad
Is. Clarke was the leading man, many
years her junior. He had been brought
up as a gentleman, being the son of a
Quaker in Philadelphia: He soon cvinccd
liking for the stage, and nothing could
keep him from it. AS for theatrical talent,
he had not mistaken his vocation. Miss
Cushman was struck with his polish and
wit, his talent and cultured tone. From
conversation on acting in the theatre, Clarke
soon began to call at the hotel to receive
particular instructions in the parts he was
TO play with her, then he escorted her home
from the theatres ut nights, and it was
plainly TO he seen she looked with marked
favor upon the young actor. One evening
she was at the wing, ready to go OH rs Meg
Merriles, playing the boy Ill Guy Man
nering' was standing by her side, and
Mr.. Clarke was a few steps OF, flirting
dcsperat ely with lovely young actress,
who had been christened the poodle dog
from the way she dressed her hair, which
was just as they wear it nowadays, but
then thought wild, crazy style. The star
had been giving me Il few stage directions,
and, impeIled by l know not what impulse,
| suddenly asked:
'What, OF all things III the world, Miss
Cushman, would you rather be2
She replied Rs impulsiyely, glancing ut
Clarke and sighing:
4 would rather be pretty woman than
any thing else in this wide world,' and on
the stage she rushed to shrek through Meg
hlcrriiles. After this he assumed a bolder
front, flirtcd no more about the scenes, and
became obscquiously attentive to her. II
became the recognized fact that he was the
great stars prOtegc, and next it transpircd
that shc had engaged him to go to Eng land
with her. Tlis was happy period for
hpt f>fh hnc
| chief characteristics, she made 10 secret
OF her admiration of his talents and liking
for him personally, and OF her intention
toward his interests 30 far as lay within
her power. Whether she loved him as she
| loved another IN her girhood days is ditli.
cult to determine, but her manners became
| more gentle and womauiikc, she was less
imperlous with her undcrlings, and spared
a great deal OF time teaching him his parts.
Ills feelings were easier prObcd; Conrad
Clarke did not love Charlotte Cushman.
Ills nature was too selfish to permit him to
lccl 50 pure and dlsintcrcsted passion rs
love in its highest sense. Matters had thus
stood for some months.
| One evening Miss Cushman was going to
the theatre alone, when weak, haggard-
looking woman approached her with baby
in her arms. She was a small, rcd-huircu,
fragile creature. Laying her hand on Miss
Cushman's arm, she said:
Miss Cushman, | think woman Of
your genius andposilion might have plenty
Of admirers without taking up with the hus-
band Of a poor woman like me-
The tragcdiennc paused in blank amaze
ment.
Are you talking to mcs she asked.
Il am.'
And you say have taken your hus-
band from youf'
'Ics-you--- Charlotte Cushman,'
Il don't know yon; ma, ask the name
of this precious husband Of yoursf'
Conrad Clarke was the reply.
The great actress hurried away. She
had received a blow, but she met it with
brave front, as she had many others in
her not altogether smooth path in life. All
smiles, bows, and honcycd words Clarke
greeted her that night. She gave death
blow to all his hopes, not tendcrly, as
many woman 50 situated might have
| done, but with characteristic decision. On
| learning from his wife what she had done,
he became furious at what he declared to
be malicious scheme to ruin him, and,
| leaving her, swOrc never to live with her
again. Annie Clarke easily obtained q
divorce from him, and shortly after mar
ricd an actor, named Forest, OF Cleveland.
by a strange concacnalion of circum-
Stances, Clark's child was adopted and
most tcndcrly reared by one of our bright
est wits, :hc only one OF his peculiarly
causLic kind left, man who wiclds a
powerful weapon in his pen--who has two
parties for and against hm---onc that mates
and fears him, the other that loYcs and
praises him.
Afghan Soldle y,