The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-10-10
A SUDDEN DESCENT
From n Mansion I'm Washington 10 n
Circus Ring.

New orleans Democrat.
Among the actresses that appeared in
New Orleans recently with Shelby, Pull
man & Hamilton's consolidated shows, was
one who was very pretty and refined in her
appearance and who figured upon the bills
as Miss Nellie Henderson.
Because of her youth and beauty she at
tracted no small amount of attention from
the people of both sexes wherever she an
peared, and being the posscssor of a full
figure, good voice and a sunny disposition,
she was, generally speaking a great favorite
with the members of the show. Though no
doubt there are to-day not moro than one or
two Of her companions who are aware of her
real name and of what was but 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 to
publish IL until after the departure of the
troupe.
Four years ago on one of tho principal
avenues in Washington there resided a
DIR. H., man well known to the medical
profession as n successful practitioner, and
to the public at large as wealthy and in
Huential citizen. The doctors family con-
sisted of himself and wife and little
daughter, who ut that time was but child
! in years, being but little over II years Of
age. Already however, she was great
favorite in the gay society of the Capital
not only because of her beauty but because
she possessed for child of that age rare
talents rs violinist and q 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 speculations, 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 winc-room to the
gaming. tables was but short step and ere
long he had made of himself perfect sot-
of his family beggars. In vain for a long
time did wife and daughter plead with him
to forsake his evil ways but with the dis
appearance of the last cent that he had in
the world he resolved to turn over q new
life and begin again at the foot of the lad
der.
Through the excrtions of friends, enough
money was raised to send the family to
Michigan, where, in little village on the
shores of the great lake, the doctor again
began the practice of medicine. 1t was up
hill work, however, and rs his system had
been ovcrstrained and broken down by his
long debauch, he soon became the mere
|
this time the little daughter was visiting
friends of the family in Syracuse, where
her fine performance on the violin at a
party, one evening, attracted the attention
of n well known theatrical manager, who
hearing of the family's circumstances, of
fered to take her and put her upon the
stage at a salary of $50 per week. As a
variety actress she achieved marked sue
cess, and when Mr.. Shelby gave up his
theatre for circus he offered her an en-
gagement with him for the summer at the
same salary, which, with the consent other
parents, she accepted, and so the former
belle of Washington's child society is now
the reigning queen of beauty in circus
ring. The ways of Providence are indeed
inscrutable but it is doubtful If Miss Nellie
Henderson is any the less happy beneath
the cover of the swaying canvas, with til,
knowledge that she is supporting fathe
and mother by her efforts, than she wa.
when she was u child-quecn among the
rustling silks and satins of Washington so
cicty.