The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-11
Poisoned by Paint,

While the screams Of applause were
rising higher and higher at the conquest
OF Light over Darkness III "Excelsior. ,;
an evening or two ago, Miss Mamie
Nlchols was behind the scenes writhinp
III the agonies Of blood-poisoning. Sho
was only a pretty coryphee, and the
ciahgor OF the ambulance gong which
announced the arrival of aid disturbed
not the serenity Of the cold amusement.
seeking audience.
''Oh, don't take me homel don't take
me home!' piteously walled the poor
girl, and i'll respect to her wishes she
was removed to st. Vincent's hospital
where she was yesterday found to he 50
tar recovered that in few days she will
once more be upon the stage.
II was called twice to attend this
young lady, said the physician at the
noSpltal, land she was finally brought
mere III a carriage, for some unkno wn
reason the theatre managers refusing to
allow her to be taken away by the
ambulance. After an exaninatiyn I
discovered that she was suffering from
lead poisoning, caused by the use Of
paint III making up her face. There
Is from four to six per cent. Of lead in
Cnc face paint in use on the stage, and
Miss Nichols absorbed it into her
system through the pores Of her skin,
She might have used it for years and
not have suffered serious onSnuuences
had she not been put to such excessive
exercise as was required of her in the
part she took"
Miss Nichols is Il handsome younp
daay OF eighteen years. She has round
features and figure. raven hair, large
Dlue eyes and rather Il coquettish and
DeWltchlng manner.
"Why was it that you did not want
TO 60 home, Miss Nichols?" asked the
reporter.
because it is the unlappiest place |
could have been taken to. NV father
Is rich. My mother died when was
very young and papa
The young lady could speak no more
Tor the sobs that choked her, and cover
Ing her face with her hands she went
away her grief. When she hal recover
ell Miss Nichols said that her father
had married the second timo.
Miss Nichols beauty and grace won
tor her prominent place among the
hundred and more fair women who with
her made up the ballet, and on nunler-
GUS occasions she was the recipient of
bouquets sent through the stage
entrance by some of New York's best
sons.
''Can we see Miss Nichols ~ inquired
one OIL Il Devy OF richly y-attlred and
stylish young ladies' who allighted at
the hospital yesterday from two elegant
~ equipped family carriages.
OYerhearing the inquiry at the door,
Miss Nichols recognized tho voice as
hat of nna nf hn" old .--li- - ~-~.+.--.
against receiving them.
"Oh, how can bear this morLifica-
tion?" she pleaded; II thought my
assumed name would shield me- from
When the fair visitors were admitted
to Miss Nichols presence the scene was
beyond description. The ex-
hausted and tear stained little patient
threw herself upon her visitors and for
moments there were passionate sobs and
tears.
Until torn away by the ward physi-
Clans the young ladies clung around
Miss Nichols, and each one begged her
to give up her life on The stage, but she
declined. She felt that she
had talent for the stage, and she said
she had taken to the ballet as the only
means Of making a beginning.
1t was further learned from a friend
of Miss Nichols that she was at Vassar
College for two years and would have
graduated with honor had her home not
been broken up.