The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-04-06
CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN.
Romance I'm the Life efs Great Actress.
tAmericsn ART ssurnal.l
Perhans the last a<-tress that anyona rOuA

sion, much less suffered from the psngs of va
requieted love, was Charlotte Cushmsn; and
yet twice in her life she was ready to sscri.
ice everything for the man of her heart.
Miss Gus III msa received q common school
education in Boston. Her desk-mate was
the daughter of an actor, which led to fire.
quent conversations upon theatrical matters,
and to an interest in them of such an ex-
teat that Miss Cushman determined as a
child that, should fate ever compel her to
adopt a psblic life, the stage would be her
preference. She had barely reached the
age of sixteen before she was deeply enam-
smored of a young gentleman who had his
way to make IN the world, and q speedy
marriage being thereby prevented, she had
little thought or hope but te do away with
the obstacles which separated them. Cir
cumstazces soon compelled her to cast
about Ger some means of self-support, her
mother being a widow with seven children
TO provide for. Miss Cushmsn had a pretty,
sympathetic, singing voice, Of no great
power, but much sweetness.
Mrs. Wood was an English bsllad-singer,
among the first of that class to make u great
sensation in this country. and during an en-
gagement in Boston Miss Cushman man.
aged to be introduced to her and, and fin
ally under Mrs. Woods auspices she made
her appearance in the concert room, being
simply announced as 81 young lady," Her
success was sufficiently pronounced TO deter
mine her to continue in that mode of life, or
at least until her betrothed should have be.
come able to marry her; but tie took great
umbrage at what he stigmsbszed IAN un-
Eomanly proceeding" and declared she had
- e
side, and after much alteration and mutual
pain the engagement was broken of, and
Charlotte Cushman was free 20 follow out
her destiny as q great artist, She went her
way, and he went his. Afte much hard
struggling it led him into the establishment
of q store-a sort of trimming store COM
bined with ready made underclothing for
ladies and children-in which he prospered.
He is now one of the foremost merchants
Of the kind in Boston. Long yesrs elapsed
before the two met again. Charlotte was
famous, and he affiuent and influential.
They met as strangers meet, were intro
duced, and ever afterward mair tsined am
icable but not amatory relations, for he had
married in the meantime.
A few years ago | was in Boston and
dropped into his store to make some pur-
chases. 1t happened that Miss Cushman
preceded me by a few steps. As soon as
the hoor-wslker caught sight of her he hur-
ried off and returned with the proprietor, a
hale, ruddy-fsoed, white haired gentleman,
of quiet and dignifed bearing.
They took rather than shook hands, he
holding hers for q moment, and then side
by side they walked to the back of the store.
To see those two calm, self-coDtained, old
silver-haired people, one would have little
suspected the hesrtrending romance which
hung over their youth. 1t is all very fine
to despise money, but the lack of it fire.
queDtly changes the destinies of entire lives.
Had Miss Cushmsn's lover been only suf-
6ciently we'll off TO have married her at the
blooming of their love, in all probability
the stage would have never known her bril-
liant genius.
She once remarked to friend who was
cognizant. of the circumstances: "When /
see him now, rich and respected, but not
great, and think what a good husband he
has made, sigh for what have lost and
rejoice for what have gained. Neverthe-
less, fame and fortune only can not compen.
safe a woman for the lifelong absence OF
husbands affection, children'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 for
ward then and offered me home, / would
gladly have accepted it, and would have
lived my life untroubled by ambitious dreams,
the divine afflatus within me-
l have had thousand times over in my
hand more than the money which would
have secured my happiness when a girl, and
always think for what psltry sum my
whole domestic happiness was sacrificed
After Miss Cushman had achieved fame
in England, sne made a tour of this country
She was then woman of middle age, with
a remarkably ugly face, but with tall and
well-modeled frame. She played at the Ma
tional Theater, Cincinnati. Conrad b.
Clarke was the leading man, many years her
Junior. He had been brought up as gen.
tleman, being the son of a Quaker in Phila-
delphia. He soon evinced u 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 Gull
tured tone. From conversations on acting
in the Theater, Clarke soon began to call at
the hotel to receive part ular instructions
in the parts he was to play vi h her; then
he escorted her home from the Theaters at
HASul, anu IL WAS plhiu W 70 scCu suC lOOhOu
with marked favor upon the young actor.
One evening she was at the wing ready to
go on as Meg "Merriles, ] playing the boy in
"Guy Mannering." was sanding by h,r
side, and Mr.. Clarke was a few steps OF.
flirting desperately with lovely young
actress, who had been chri tened "the
poodle dog" from the way she dressed her
hair, which was just as they wear it nova
days, but then thought wild, crazy style.
The star had been giving me few stage
directions, and, impellled by know not
what impulse, l suddenly asked:
what of all things in this world, Miss
Cushman, would you rather be?'
She replied as impulsively, CHANGING at
Clarke, and signing:
al would rather be pretty woman than
anything else in this wide world" and en-
the stage she rushed to shrek through Meg
Merriles." After this he assumed holder
front, Airted no more about the scenes, and
became obsequiously attentive to her. 1t
became the recognized fact that he was the
great stars protege, and next it transpired
that she bad engaged him to 60 to England
with her. This was a happy period for
them both. Frankness being one of her
chief characteristics she made nosecret other
admiration of his talents and liking for him
and of her intention toward his
interests so far as lay within her power.
Whethsr she loved him as she had loved an
other in her girlhood day is difficult to deter
mine, but her manners became more gentle
and womanlike. she was less imperious with
e