The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-04-22
cHARLoTTE cusHMAs.
Romanee IN the Life of q Grea.

tender passon, much less suffered from
the .pangs IF unrequited love, was Char
lotte Cushrhan; and yet twice in-her life
she was ready to sacrifice anything for
the man OF her heart. Miss Cush-
man received a common school ed
ucation in Boston. Her desk mate was
the daughter of an actor, which led TO
frequent conversations upon theatrical
matters, and TO an interest in them of
such an extent that Miss Cushman de-
termined as child that, should fate
ever compel her to adopt q public life,
the stage would be her preference. She
had barely reached the age of 10 before
she was deeply enamored If q young
gentlemen who hac his way 70 make in
/ the world, and, 8 speedy marriage being
thereby prevenfed, she had little thought
or hope but 70 do away with the OBJ
stacIes which separated them. Circum-
stances soon compelled her TO cast ahout
for some means OF self snpport, her moth
provide for Miss Cushman had pref.
~, sympa.hetic, singing voice, Of no
great power, but much sWeesness
Mrs. Wood was an En- glish ballad sing
| er, and among the first of that class q
make great sensation in this c0untrEafid
| during an engagenlenf In Boston fies
Eushman managed to be introduced 10
| her, and finally, under Mrs. Woods au-
spices, she made her appearance in the
concert room, being simply announced
as "a young lady" Her success was
sufficiently pronounced to determine her
to continue in that mode of life, or at
least until her beirOthed should have
become able to marry her; but he took
great umbrage at what he stigmatized
IAN unwomanly proceeding" and de-
clared she had disgraccd him. Hot
words followed on her side, and after
much alteration and mutual pain the
engagement was broken OFF and Char
| lotte Cushman was free to follow out her
destiny as great artist She went her
way and he went his. After much hard
struggling it led him into the establish
ment of store-a sort of trimming
store combined with readymade under
clothing for ladies and children-in
which he. prospered. Heis now one of
the foremost merchants of the kind in
Boston. Long years elapsed before the
two met again Charlotte was famous,
and he affiuent and influential. They
met as strangers meet, were introduced,
and ever afterwards maintained AMIGA
BILE but not amatory relations, for he had
married in the meantime.
A few years ago l was in Boston and
dropped into his store 10 make some
purchases. 1t happened that Miss Cush-
man preceded me few steps. AS soon
as the foor-walker caught sight of her
he hurried off and returned with the
proprietor, a hale, ruddy- faced, white
haired gentleman, of quiet and dignified
bearing.
They took rather than shook hands,
he holding hers for moment, and then
side by side they walked to the back of
the store. To see those two calm, self
contained, old silyer-haired people, one
would have little suspected the heart
rending romance which hung over their
youth. It is all very fine to despise
money, but the lack of it frequently
changes the destinies of our entire lives.
Had Miss Cushman's lover been only suf-
ficiently well off to have married her at
the blooming of their love, in all prob
ability the stage would have never
known her brilliant genius.
She once remarked to friend who
was cognizant of the circumstances
"When see him now, rich and respect
ed, but not great, and think what good
husband he has made, sigh for what I
have lost and rejoice for what have
gained; fame and fortune only cannot
compensate a woman for the lifelong
absence of husbands affection, chill
dren's love, and the peace and happi-
ness of prive life. When / returned
from New Orleans with my voice all
gone and in despair, if he had come for
ward then and offered me a home, /
would gladly have accepted il, and
| would have lived my life untroubled by
ambitious dreams, unsuspecting the di.
vine af1atus within me. l have had a
thousand times in my hand more than
! the money which would have secured
hnSn ruhnr1 ayirI onA oIvu0xyS
think for what q paltry sum my domes.
tic happiness was sacrificed"
After Miss Cushman had achieved
fame in England, she made a tour OF
| this country. She was then a woman OF
| middle age, with q remarkably ugly
| face, but with a tall and well modelled
frame. She played at the National
| theater, Cincinnati. Conrad B. Clarke
was the leading man and many years
her junior. He had been brought up as
a gentleman, being the son of a Quaker
in Philadelphia. He soon evinced q
liking for the stage, and nothing could
keep him from it. AS for theatrical tai
ent he had not mistaken his vocation
Miss Cushman was struck with his pol
| ish and wit, his talent and cultured
tone. From conversations on acting in
the theatre, Clarke soon began to call a
the hotel to receive particular instruc
| tons in the parts he was to play with
her; then he escorted her home from
the theaters at nights, and it was plainly
to be seen she looked with marked fav
or on the young actor. One evening
she was at the wing ready to go on a
Meg Merrilies,' playing the boy il
"Guy MaDnering" l was standing b.
her side, and Mr.. Clarke was a few
steps off, flirting desperately with a low
| 1x1r u.kr "a oh al
ed 1.-THE poodle-dOg," from the way sh
dressed her hair, which was just as thel
wear it nowadays, but then thought |
wild, crazy style. The star had BEEF
giving me few stage directions, and
impelied by know not what impulse,
suddenly asked:
"Hhat, of allithings in the world, Mis-
Cushman, would you rather be ~
She replied as impulsively, glancInI
ct Clarke and signing:
"I would rather be a pretty woma
than anything else in this wide world +,
and on the stage she rushed to shrie
through Meg Merrilies. After this b
| assumed holder front, fiirted no NOR
about the scenes, and became obsequ
ouslY attentive TO her. 1t became In
) recognized fact that he was the gres
stars pFotege, and next it TRANSFERRED this
she had engaged him 10 go to Englan
with her. This was happy period fl
them both. Frankness being one of he
) chief characteristics, she made no secrt
; of her admiration of his talents and Ill
ing for him personally, and of her inter
, ton towards his interests so far as Ia
within her power. Whether sine love
him as she had loved another in her CIR
hood days is difficult 10 determine, br
; her manners became more gentle an
/ onasftrn oh Sgrn0 ar1nna wi
her underlings, and spared great des
of time teaching him his parts. Hi
feelings were easier probed: Conra
Clarke did not love Charlotte CushmaI
His nature was too selfish TO permit hiI
, to feel so pure and disinterested a pa
4 sion as love in It's highest sense. Ma
ters had thus stood for some months.
One evening Miss Cushman was goin
TO the theater alone, when weak, ha!
gard looking woman approached he
with q baby in her arms. She was
small, red haired, fragile creature. La
ing her hand on Miss Cushman's arm
she said:
miss Cushman, think woman {
your genius and position might hay
plenty of admirers without taking u
with the husband of 3 poor woman lik
me-"
The tragedienne paused in blan
. Are you talking to mel" she akse,
II am
..And you say 1 have taken your hu
, band fron you %
AYes-yeu-C Charlotte Cushman"
HI don't know you may ask IL
name of this precious husband I
/ yours 81
aCOnrnd Clarke was the reply.
!. The great actress hurried away. Sh
: had received blow, but she met it wit
brave front, as she had many others
|. her not altogether smooth path In Iif
All smiles, bows and honeyed word
Clarke greeted her that night. She gaS
: death blow 10 all his hopes, not tende
] ", aa many woman 30 situated migi