Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-05-19
Charlotte CushmNn.

Perhaps the last actress that anyone
would suppose ever experienced that tender
passion, much less suffered from the pangs
OF unrequited love, was Charlotte Cush-
man; aud yet twice In her life she was
ready TO sacrifice everything for the man
of her heart. Miss Cushman received d
common school education in Boston. Her
desk-nlate was the daughter of an actor,
which led to frequent conversations upon
theatrical matters. and took an interest In
them to such an extent that Miss Cushman
determined as a child that, should fate ever
compel her to adopt pubic life, the stage
would be Der preference. She had barely
reached the age of sixteen before she was
deeply enamored of young gentleman
who had his way TO make in the world, and
speedy marriage being thereby prevented,
she had little thought OF hope but to do
away with the obstacles which separated
them. Circumstances soon compelled her
to cast about for some means of self-sup
port, her mother being widow with seven
children to provide tor. Miss Cushman
had pretty, sympathetic, singing voice,
of no great power, but much sweetness.
Mrs. Wood was an English ballad-singer,
among the first of that class 10 make a
great sensation In this country, and during
an engagement in Boston Miss Cushman
managed u be introduced to her, and
finally under Mrs. Woods auspices, she
made her appearance in the concert room,
being simply announced as "a young lady.
Her success was sufficiently pronounced to
lot har to in fhaf rpAnAa ~
lie, or al least until her betrothed should
have become able to marry her; but he
took great umbrage at what he stignatized
AN unwomanly proceeding and declared
she had disgraced him. Hot words fol
lowed ON her side, and after much alterca-
ton and mutual pain the engagement was
broken off, and Charlotte Cushman was
free to follow out her destiny as great
artist. She went her way, and he went
his. After much bard struggling it led
him into the establishment of a store-a
sort of trimming store combined with ready.
made clothing for ladies and children-in
which he prospered. lie is now one OF the
foremost merchants Of the kind in Boston.
Long years elapsed before the two met
again. Charlotte was famous, and he
afiluent aud influential. They met as
strangers meet, were introduced, and ever
arterward ma ntained am cable but not
amatory relations, for lie had marr ed in
the meantime.
A few years ago l was in Boston and
dropped into bis store to make some pur-
chases 1t happened that MISS Cushman
preceded me few steps. As soon AS the
tloor- walker caught sight of her he hurried
off and returned with the proprietor,a a haze
ruddy-faced. white-haired gentleman, OF
quiet and digni6e0 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 Con-
tanned, old silver-halred people, one would
| have little suspected the heartrending ro-
nance which hung ever their youth. 1t is
all very fine to despise money, but the lack
Of it frequently changes the destinies OF
entire lives Had Miss Cushman's lover
been only sufficiently well off to have
married her at the blooming OF their love,
In all probability the stage would have