Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1882-09-01
OUR NEV YORK LETTER.
The DARK SIDE OF THEATRICAL
/ LIFE.


The DARK SIDE OF THEATRICAL
II w - LIFE. @~@ .ss@.
Trials and Trihulations Of Highly Ed
ucated and Accomplished Ballet Dan.
cer-Burglarioas Doings In Brooklyn
-Etc. q f..asp
Special Correspondents of the TIAEs.l
NEw YORK, August 20, 1882.
Let me refer you to the introduc
tory remarks contained in my preced-
ing letter, concerning the "Dark Side
Of Theatrical Life" before l begin the
thruthful story of
A BRoKEN-HEARTED WOMAN.
This is taken from no book, from
no work of fiction, but from life, from
the sad and constant reality Of life.
She was an only daughter, and her
father having large means, she was
thoroughly educated and especial at
tention was given to the cultivation
of superior natural musical taste and
ability; exceedingly attractive and
highly cultivated, she was social fa-
vorite as child and young lady.
The father died, and she was left to
the care Of brothers who, it is alleged,
dcfrauded her of her share of her faith
er's estate. Ill-feeling and estrange-
ments were engendered, and, to escape
unpleasant domestic relations, she
married, when little more than child,
man much older than herself, who
had been attracted by her face and
her accomplishments. He proved to
be brute, who drank to excess and
abused her shamefully, although he
supplied her literally with money and
lived handsomely. Her pride pre-
vented her from appealing to hel
friends or disclosing her situation
Finally he died in drunken spree
and left her with nothing save hel
wardrobe and jewels, with which te
support herself and two children. She
had never been taught to work ane
did not know how to do anything bu
sing. She took house and KEEP
boarders and did it we'll, with tn.
taste and refinement of a lady, bu
was unsuccessful, simply because sh,
had never been taught house keepin:
or economy She tried to turn he
musical education to account by sing
ING in concerts. This was precariou
and uncertain. She had an offer t,
go to New Orleans upon what seemct
a desirable engagement. She went
to find that the contracting party ha,
gone, no one knew whittier. Wors
Of all, her baggage was stolen, wit
all her and her children's clothing, ex
cept what they had on their backs
One of the children was taken i'll AM
died among strangers, and to ge
money for the burial, she pawned
part of her jewelry. She came bac
to New York, and took cold Oh tn
way, for want of sufficient clothing
She was obliged to go into hospits
where she lay for six weeks, her chill
being cared for by charitable lad
who had known the mother in he
: prosperous days and learned by acc
dent Of her position. She came o,
of hospital alone in the world an
with child to support as well as hel
self. She got temporary engage
ment to sing at theater. For tw
, months she earned enough barely
pay living expenses, then the engage
ment closed and no other opened.
1t was at this time that the
MAN ABOUT TOWN
Was introduced by theatrical a
quaintance. He was accustomed
find complaisant ladies behind Il
drop curtain. Her beauty and accon
Iplishments attracted him, and
offered to sbefriend' her. She d.
!, clined the offer. She was sufferir
for actual food but she had pride al
/ modesty and self-respect, and wou
starve rather than sacrifice them. 81
found opportunity to join a compar
!, which was to bring out new pie
in three weeks and daily during Il
three weeks, she went to rehearsals,
the hope of the pittance that W
'e offered for the time the piece might
: played. 1t is not the custom to p
anything for the period of rehears;
except to artists of established I
\ nown. Lack of food and exposure
= all kinds of weather, coupled wi
standing for four and five hours ds
y. sent her again to sick bed. She r
in debt to her landlady and both h
child and herself were without foe