The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-10-08
A SUDDEN DESCENT.
From a Mansion in Washington to Circus
Ring.


! Ring.
Among the actresses that appeared in
New Orleans recently with Shelly, Pull
man & Hamilton's consolidated shows, was
! one very pretty and refined in her appear
ance, and who figured upon the bills as
Miss Nellie Henderson. Because of her
youth and beauty she attracted no small
amount ofattention from the people Of both
sexes wherever she appeared, and being a
possessor of full figure, good voice and a
sunny disposition, she was, generally. speak.
ing. a great favorite with the members OF
, the show. Though no doubt there are to-
day not more than one or two of her COM
paHions who arc aware Of her real name,
and ofwhat was but few short years ago
her status in society.
her former history by an accident, and at
the earnest solicitation Of Mr.. Shelby, the
senior partner in the concern, consented not
to publish it until after the departure OF the
troupe.
-Four years ago on one of the principal
avenues in Washington, there resided DIR.
III. man well known 20 the medical pro-
fession as a successful practitioner, and to
the public at large as wealthy and infiu-
entail citizen. The doctors family consis-
ted of himself and wife and a little daughter,
! who at that time was but child in
wears, being but a little over ii years
Of age. Already, however, she vas a great
fayorite in the gay society Of the capitol,
NOT only because Of her beauty but be-
kcause she possessed for child Of that age,
rare talents as a violinist and sweet voice
! flat enabled her TO sing her way into hearts
made callous and hard by life Of political
intrigue and dissipation. About this time
the doctor became involved in series of
Unfortunate speculations by which he lost
the great bulk Of his property, and like
many Others in the same fx, he took refuge
in drink From the wine room to the gam
yine tables was but short step and ere long
he made Of himself 9 perfect sot-of his
family beggars. In vain for long time did
his wife and daughter plead with him TO
/, ,.forsaIs his evil ways, but with the disap-
Y kk,earancs Of the last cent that he had IN the
Cxrorld no resolved TO turn over new life
and begin at the foot OF the ladder.
Through the exsrtion. of friends, enough
money was raised 70 send the family 70 Mi
chigan, where, in little village on the
sbores Of the great lake. the doctor again
becan the prsctics Of medicine. IL Wa up
Y hil7 work. however, and ss his systsfns had
i,eep ovsrstrsinsd and broken down by his
\ iono dshsucb. he soon became tbs mere
jnhysicsl wreck Of what he once vss.
Ebout this time the litts daughter vs'
visiting friepds q the family N syrseuss
a bartv. one evening, attracted the ct
tsnsion Of well fBOvn theatrical manager
~bo. hearing of the familv's circum-
stances. offered 10 tsks her sndput her upon
The tags st a salary of 30 vesf. Assvs-
r;etv srtrss< slls achieved o marked success,
and when Er.shslhy e<vs up his ths<trs i1i
\ circus be offered her sn engagement with
him for the summer st the sane salary
which. with the sonseut of her parents. abe
acceutsd. and - ths former belle q Wash
ington's ehfld society Il now the rsignine
or.eu a hesuty in q crews rng The Ways
n Proxiderlce are indssd inscrutibls, but i
= doui,tful II Ms NsIlis Hs1dsrson Il any
tie - hsrspy benssth the cOvsr 0f The
srarir,g canvass, With ths fngtlsdes that
DIE i supporting 1thsf ana Inotnsr y
- ~. - thar @lBs rss vbsn sfIe moved !
-i-5l5lrneer sr10ng fisf rusfling slks and
..tir.. Il " a.sil.l.s - s----y.