The morning news., 1891-09-20
FROM SOCIETY TO CHORUS.
Pretty Minnie Washburn to Appear
on the stage Nlxt Week.
From the Neto York World.

From the NetU YORK World
The home of lansing G. Washburn was a
handsome and spacious mansion at Mont
clair. N. j.. in the shadow Of the Orange
mountains. Mr.. Washburn came into New
York every day and transacted his business
as stock broker.
Years ago he was a member Of the firm
of Wilmington g. Washburn, then the firm
name became Townsend, Washburn s. Cald-
well of No. Wall street. Finally it was
changed to Washburn q Caldwell.
The blow came last January. The trou-
bles of the Barring Bros carried Mr.. Wash
burn down. In one brlet week he found
himself plunged from afi1uence TO poverty.
"He came home one night" said Mrs.
Washburn Yesterday, with IS in his
pocket. In few days be had lest $4,000
and we we're penniless 1t was Dire ldful
night, with snow ana sleet alternating, but
outdoors it was no bleaker or drearier than
the interior of our home seemed when we
were told we were paupers.
The house, the furniture ,tthe horses and
carriages were sold, and the family moved
to fiat in New York. Mr.. Washburn began
to look around for work, and through
friends secured position at Toledo, o.,
with an electric light company.
Miss Minute Washburn Is the only daugh-
ter. She determined to do her part to sup
port the family, and yesterday it was an
nounced that she had accepted an engage
ment to sing in the chorus OF the Carleton
Opera Company. She will make her first
appearance next Monday night in Balti-
more, where she has many frlends.s
Mrs. Washburn, tall, refined woman, Of
graceful carriage and handsome still in her
gray hairs, spoke very freely OF her daugh-
ter's new departure yesterday afternoon
~ ;et no q ~ 81
flats at No. 1853 West One Hundred and
Third street.
minnie has not run away" she said.
Her selaction of the stage as a means of
livelihood was deliberate. She had full
consent of her father and myself. Wien
Mr.. Washburn lost his fortune Minnie de-
termined to assist bin and me. She had a
good musical education, and determined to
20 upon the operatic stage. Her voice ID
clear, musical mezzo-soprano. Mrs. George
lockwood OF Montreal had been her
teacher, and it was her intention to pursue
her studies further in this city, but our inn
poverishment decided her to earn for her
self the means for her tuition.
Naturally we feel a strong disinclina-
ton to permit her to take such step, but
remonstrances were useless, and we at last
consented. She was fortunate in securing
an engagement with Mr.. Carleton, who,
understand, maintains strict discipline in
his company, and will permit of no indecor-
Gus conduct. Why should we be afraid Of
Minnie Size was reared amid culture and
refinement, and her mind is matured. She
was never frivolous nor stage-struck. She
is well able to take care of herself, and now
that she has entered upon this career. I am
determined to do all can to prosper her
in it,"
"Had she ever expressed any inclination
for the stage before misfortune befell your
NO IL was only short time ago that
she resolved togo on the stage She joined
the Carleton Opera Company at Atlantic
City about two weeks ago and Monday
night she will make her first appearance.
There " as no such thing as the 'glamor OF
the footlights' attracting her, Her action
was based purely and simply on business
motives. She knew that she would have to
begin at the bottom and was not dismayed
when she was told that she would have TO
go in the chorus. or course she will not re-
main there. If she does not rise she will
abandon the profession"
Have you heard from her recentlyp
"Yes, l received letter day or two ago.
She speaks hopefully, but says that many a
girl would be deferred from adopting the
stage if she knew the hard, exacting work
required and the real condition
Of affairs. am sorry there
has been any publicity given to
her action, but l feared that at Baltimore
she would be recognized. Being in the
chorus her name does not appear on the
bills, but she knew many people there and
it is probable some Of them met her.
strickly enjoined upon her not to assume
another name, but to keep her owD. She
had nothing to be ashamed of either in ber
name or her profession. She would be
what she made herself"
did any Of your friends know Of her in
tentionp
eyes, notified several of them that Min
ME was going upon the stage. Mrs. Judge
Arnoux, lifelong friend Of mine, tried to
dissuade her and advised me to. withhold
my consent. but knew my daughter too
we'll to be afraid of her"
The new debutante is tall, and has dark
hair. large Irish blue eyes, fringed with
long, black lashes, and beautiful complex
ion. She is % years Old.
Mrs. Washburn was n daughter of Alex
ander B. Bradford, thrice elected surrogate
of New York county. Mr.. Bradford was
also member of the Royal Antiquarian
societies OF several European countries and
was an author of note.
MISS wAsHBURN's TIGHTS.
baltimore, Sept. livery soon after
MlsS w Rshburn'5 histriOnlc ambition had
become known among her society friends,
callers began to gather about the boarding
house on Franklin street, where she is
stopping. Miss Washburn went to rehearsal
at 10 o'clock this morning, and upon her
return found quite a goodly number Of
ladies, well-known in society. waiting.
With these she discussed her plans and the
flights" question.
The club members and dudes who also
called were unsuccessful in securing admis-
sion to her pre- ence In the afternoon she
dined with Miss Ida Poor. at whose house
she has been a guest on former occasions,
and then returned 70 her rooms and denied
herself to all callers
The balance of the evening she spent in
trying on costumes, leaving for the last
toilet which she constantly regarded with
fearful eyes. Those were the tights she hed
to try on. She finally summoned courage
and slipped into them. The experience was
a terrifying one.
''You have no idea" she said, "what
strange sensation had when l looked down
at my feet and saw instead of dress only
limbs. Whenever / think Of Monday night
| feel like faintlng."
Miss Washburn says she finds but little
in learning her part. She studied
the music first and the words dropped in"
Tonight she was carried off by a company
Of admirers to see "The Fair Rebel
Clear Out