Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-26
IN STOCK COMPANY DAYS
Marriage Vas All Right, Says Clara Morris
but Times Change.

Marriage Vas All Right, Says Clara Morris,
but Times Change.
1t is an old saying that nothing makes or
mars a man like marriage Especially is
this true OF the actor. One of the essentials
10 his success is an unfettered mind where
with to grasp the spirit of the playwright
and interpret it in its full meaning to his
audience. This uufe;tered condition of mind
may obtain III the matrimonial state; and
again it may not, 1t all depends upon the
kind of woman the actor marries.
The chances of ulrufled happiness among
married pro esSioaals are very few and re-
mote. This is not because of any individual
weakness or crookedness of disposition, but
rather because of the circumstances in which
the followers OF the stage are placed. 1t is
most difficult Tor married players to obtain
engagements in the same company. Ii
troubles arise between the manager aud one
ol the couple the other takes part, and the
trouble is augmented. In the old days OF
stock companies things were different. Man
aud vile were together !or a longer period.
But with the advent of rapid railroad
facilities and other innovations came tine
travelling theatrical troupe, and now there
are but one or two stock companies in each
are always on the move.
Separation perforce ensues when man and
wife fail OF obtaining engagements in one
company. And what Is married life when
the contracting parties see little or nothing
OF each other? Where is the opportunity to
".ove and cherish?" 1t is a nockervI Better
celibacy than such state. If one really
loves picture the pain and heartburn at
parting tor so long period every seasonl
To die and part
Is a less eYil-but to part and live
There, there's the torment.
And, nine times out of ten, the state of mind
OF the player has a depressing influence
upon the performance. These repeated
separations can result in but one thing
final drifting apart and divorce. And if
there be children, what OF them? Go and
visit the schools and converts. One of the
eleveres; o! newspaper men is always pro-
testing that there should be no marriages
among professionals. And / sometimes
think the same myself But the actor is still
imbued to IS great extent as his fellow
creatures with the desire to love and De
loved. 1t is this phase of human nature
which makes all discussions such as this
useless-words, words, words
Though l deprecate marriage among
pro ;essiOuals, both for the good of
the profession and the individual,
1 do not think that matrimonv
should be prohibited to them. Celibaey, il
my opinion, is not a good thing. And a
partner in wedlock, on the other hand, is
often a very good thing. Matrimony is the
actors privilege as much as that of any
man, but it should be entered into at the
proper time. Early marriages should be
avoided. Let the player first make name
and a cOmDPtPUep These DnOre easily
made before than after marriage. Then go
beyond the pale of your profession and seek
a mate from the outside world-one who
will be to you such wife as God intended
a woman to be. The stage will be graced
by more finished histrionic performance,
and the player, as the curtain descends upon
the last scene and he prepares to go to his
home, may well say, with our own Willis:
The world well trieG-the sweetest thing in life
Is the unclouded welcome of q wife.
CLARA MORRIS.