The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-28
WHY SHE LEFT THE STAGE.

WHY SHE LEFT THE STAGE.
She was charming lady Of 81, fresh
as a rose, bright as q summer day, and
just as full Of life and cheerfulness.
There was q touch Of matronliness in
her manner as she sat at the head of the
table when dinner was over, and helped
her two children, as bright as herself, to
dessert. Her husband sat opposite and
watched the little ones worry her by all
sorts of affectionate appeals, while she
looked mp now and then and threw lov-
ing expression across the table. The
cigars were lit, and the children satisfied,
the lady rose and said she must take the
little tornents to the nursery. AS the
door closed the husband spoke:
"You told me should not be happy
because l married an actress. What do
you think Of this2'
C It is perfectly charming. She seems
to have forgotten the stage and every
thing connected with it."
"Oh, no, you we're right there. She
has never forgotten it. She Is still proud
Of those old notices, but the glamour has
fallen from her eyes, and she often says
she owes her happiness, as say I do, to
you.'
"How so?"
"You wrote an adverse criticism of
vantage of it,"
don't understand YOU"
"IIere she comes. She will tell you
the story herself. was just saying that
we owe all our happiness to him." said
he as his wife entered. .
"Indeed we do. I've brought the
book here to show YOU"
The easy chairs were drawn up to the
fire and the wife, seating herself on low
stool, opened the book and pointed to one
of the last notices pasted there.
'There is. have never acted since
then. You would like to hear the story?
I will tell it. When was girl had a
nice figure, nice voice and some thought,
pretty face. had a wonderful COM
mand Of spirits and was full of fun. Such
a girl takes naturally to comic singing
and dancing, and used to amuse my
playmates with all sorts Of performances.
Then grew fond of private theatricals,
and was considered quite an actress.
The encouragement received made mo
wild to 60 on the stage, and I used to
study all the soubrettes could see. My
great ambition was to play Prince in
burlesque, but my friends would never
permit me to do it. At last there was
nothing for it but must 60 on the stage,
and did. did not play in my native
place, but went to an adjoining city
and was engaged on trial. Never mind
what part played first. 1t was Betsy
Baker, think. At all events it was
quite successful. The papers gave me
fne notices, my engagement was con-
firmed and I was happy. had kind
Of compact with this gentleman at the
time, and Ineed not tell you that he gave
me very little encouragement on my sue
cess. played lots of parts and became
great favorite with the audience. But
strangely enoughI began to grow tired
Of it. Even laudation and applause did
not satisfy me. The real truth was that
I did not find the life rs easy and pleas
ant as it looked to me from the front.
1t seemed as If those people had nothing
to do but walk on the stage and act for
a couple of hours and all their work was
over. I found it very different. At
first as a stranger was treated very
kindly and courteously. With my sue
cess felt the spirit of jealousy all around
me. The politeness soon began to wear
off, the encouragement every body gave
me as beginner was withdrawn as soon
as I proved that I was capable of acting
myself. 1t was a new part every night,
and when I had, an unimportant one it
seemed to be the hardest work to learn
and to act 1t.
" AS the season went on and the COM
pany began to grow familiar with one
'another, l heard around mo language 1
had never been accustomed to. Men
were rude, woman were coarse, the life
was mixed, and neither mon nor women
showed what thought was a respect for
one another or themselves. I sometimes
look back with shudder over what ]
escaped. The scandal, which gave no
heed to, was, ! had to admit, based upon
truth. Men talked like women about
other men, and women talked like men
about other women. was too young
on the stage to feel certain of my judg-
ment but could not seq the necessity fol
the filtration that went on behind the
scenes, or the familiarity with which the
sexes treated one another. 1t was, after
all, I reasoned, no business Of mine. All