The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-10-07
A SUDDEN DESCENT.
Prom u Mansion In Washington to a Cireu,
Ring,

hinR,
Among the actresses that appeared In
New Orleans recently with Shelly, Pull
man 4 Hamilton's consolidated shows, was
one very pretty and refined in her appear.
snce and who figured upon the bills as
Miss Nellie Henderson. Because of her
youth and beauty she attracted no small
amount ofattantion from the people of both
sexes wherever she appeared, and being a
possessor of a full figure Il good voice and IL
sunny disposition, she was, generally speak
ing, great tavOrite with the members of
the show, Though no doubt thore are to-
day not more than one or two Of her com
panions who are aware of her real name,
and ofwhat was but O few short years ago
her status in society.
A Democrat reporter became aware Of
her former history by an accident, and at
the earnest solicitation Of Mr.. Shelby, the
senior partner in the concern, consented not
10 publish it until after the departure Of the
troupe.
-Four years ago on one OF the principal
avenues in Washington, there resided DR..
H., q man well known to the medical pro.
fession as a successful practitioner, and to
the public at large as wealthy and influ-
entail citizen. The doctors nv lily consis.
ted ofhimself and wife snG a little daughter
who ut that tim, HaS but child in
years, being but u little over II years
OF age. Already. however she was n great
iayorite in the gay society OF the capitol,
not only because Of her beauty but be-
cause she possessed for q child Of that age
rare talents az violinist and sweet voice
that 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 spcculations by which he lost
the great bulk OF his property, and like
many others in the same fix, he took refuge
IN drink. From the wine room 10 the gam.
ing tables was but short step and ere long
he made of himself perfect sot---of lis
family beggars. In vain for a long time did
his wife and daughter plead with him 10
forsake his evil ways, but with the dfsap.
pearance OF the last cent that he had in the
world nc resolved to turn over a new life
and begin at the foot OF the ladder.
Through the crertions of friends, enough
money was raised To send the family to Mi.
chigan where, in u little village on the
shores Of the great lake, the doctor again
began the practice Of medicine. II was up
hill work, however, and as his wsteme had
been ovcrstraincd and broken down by his
lolg dcbauch, he soon became the mere
physical wreck Of what ne once was.
About this time the little daughter was
visiting friends Of the family IN Syracuse,
where her fine performance on the violon at
party, one evening, attracted the at
tention OF a well known theatrical manager,
who hearing Of the familv's circum.
stances offered to take her and put herup
the stage at u salary of S60 week. As a va
riety actress she achieved a marked success,
and when Mr.. Shelby gave up his theatre for
circus he offered her an engagement with
him for the summer at the same salary,
which, with the consent Other parents, she
accepted, and SO he former belle OF Wash.
ingtons child society Is now the rcipninp
queen Of beauty in circus ring. Tho ways
Of Providence are indeed inscrutible, but Il
is doubtful, ifMiss Nellie Henderson il ans
The less happy beneath the cover Of the
swaylnr canvass, with the knowledge that
She il supporting u father and mother by
her efforts, than she was when she moved i
ohild.0pocn among the iJstlins silks and
sa;ins " Washington society.