The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-08-26
Our New york Letter.

IHlCdl LILO USloIe ut8iu tuc Uulhiul
i.Ory Of
BROKEN HEARTED wostAN.
This is taken from no book of fiction,
,ut from life, from the sad and constant
reality OF life.
She was an only daughter, and her
father having large means. she was lhor-
1uplly educated, and especial attention
WAS given to the cultivation Of superior
natural mu>ica taste an abilities Ex-
ceodiugly attractive and highly cultivat-
cd, she was sociol favori,e as q child
aud young lady. The father died, and
she was l9ft to the cere of brothers who,
1t Is alleged, dfrau1ed her of her share
Of ICr fathers estate. Ill-feeling and es-
were engendered, and, to es.
cape unpleasant domestic relations, she
m .rred, when little more than child, u
man much older than herself, who had |
been attracted by her face and accom-
pli,hments. lie proved to be brute,
who drank to excess and abused her |
Shamcfully. Her pride prevented her
from appealing to her friends or disclos-
ing her situation. Finally he died in
drunken spree, and left her with nothing
save her wardrobe and jewels, with which
to support herself and two children. She
had never been taught to work and did
not know how to do anything but sing.
She took a house and kept bonrders and
did it well, with the tastes and refine
ments of a lady, but was unsuccessful,
simply because she had never been taught
housekeeping or economy. She tried to
turn her musical education to account by
singing in concerts. This was precarious
and uncertain. She had an offer to go to
New Orleans upon what seemed a desir
able engagement. She went, to find that
the contracting party had gone, no one
knew wither. Worst of all, her baggage
was stolen, with all her and her children's
clothing, except what they had on their
backs One of the children was taken
sick and died among strangers, and to
get money fer the BURIAL she pawned
part of her jewelry. She came back to
New York, and took cold on the way, for
want of sufficient clothing; she was COM
PEELED to go into hospital where she lay
for six weeks, her child being cared for
by charitable lady who had known the
mother in her prosperous days and learn
ed by accident of her position. She came
out of the hospital. alone in the world
and with child to support as well az
herself. She got a temporary engage
ment to sing at theatre. For about two
months she earned enough barely to pay
living expenses. Then the engagement
closed and no other opened.
1t was at this time that the "mnn about
town" was introduced by theatrical ac.
quaintance. He was accustomed to find
complaisant ladies behind the drop cur
tain. Her beauty and accomplishments
attracted him, and he offered to befriend
her She declined the offer. She was
suffering for actual food but she had
pride and modesty and self-respect and
would starve rather than sacrifice them.
She found opportunity TO join a company
, which was to bring out new piece il
> three weeks, and daily during the thre,
, weeks, she went to rehearsals, in the hop,
! of the pittance that was offered for thu
D time the piece might be played. 1t il
f not the custom to pay anything for th,
period of rehearsal, except to artists o
established renown. Lack of food anC
exposure to all kinds of weather, coupled
:, with standing for four and FIVE hours
day, sent her again to sick bed. Sh
9 ran in debt to her landlady and both he
= child and herself were without food
- But for the child, she would have CON
!. mitted uicide-provided she could hav
~ bought the laudnum. Without lettin
:. her know the source from which hel
|. came, the "man about town" sent her
W physician and money to.buy food an
- medicines. She used it because her loy
for her child would not let her die.
H. When she got better, he, still unknow
te to her, got her chance to join tho ba
at let in tue Opera, the manager sendir
be for her and off.ring her the place.
tb was almost worse than death to her
ID accept it and to display herself in sue
On fashion on the boards. But that ga
u food for her little girl, aud what will n
%, a mother do for her child? Her illne
ou had weakened her voice so she could II
sing and she could find nothing else
no do. So she, woman of immeasurab
NO it with a loathing and a horror beyol
,,s words. 1t was then that had seen b
in at the Academy.
Al. Since then the oper ,tic season h
II closed and with it the Sl0a week stoppt
IN Sac hai attracted attention aud III
, 4 sought her with offers of comfort q
ide "pleasure" ii she would dispense vi
i, her reputation.
his There was but one answer to all su
,st propositions. She would die if she M
est bat, il so, she would die an honest :
md man, worthy of the respect of the ch
.,r- for whom she lived Size found opp
ms tunity to jim company that was goi
Al. ''on the road" in month, with L
,wn play. For the preparatory, again
nth went to rchearsals without cent of p
ent Pae company opened ats distant poi
I os did not prove successful aud disband
ifnl Without dollar being paid, either
mt services, lDaa or means to get back.
,eps chili had been lett in New York and
,ck course the mother got back to it so
and how, as mothers always do. But ",
ron anxiety aud bodily ills had stricken
E"r Tr down again, and no long time could l
, by elapSe before the " cary and faithful h
] in would be at rest, FftIr such s,rugg
temptations and bitt,r humilialions
inC- few women can withstand Tor one hal
'ar the time this Door oman had done