The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-15
FROM CLERGY
IO THE STAGE
New York Pastors Wife Seeks
Vaudeville Profits.
GIVES REASONS FOR II
Will Educate Children at Cost
of Public Opinion.
GIVES REASONS FOR IT

World says:
A week ago Mrs Charles S. Brown was
leading the conventional existence of the
wife of an orthodox clergyman. Today
she is a variety actress.
She is still a minister's wife. Her
home at No. 4O7 West One Hundred and
Twenty-third street is in nowise changed.
The Rev. Mr.. Brown goes forth from
this home TO preach the gospel; his wife
goes forth from it to sing in variety
theatre
The Rev. Mr.. Brown is the chaplain of
the City Mission Society, whose work
Is the rescue of souls that have sue
cumbed to the temptations of the big
city. He has had charges of Importance.
He comes into contact with persons Of
influence, wealth and high standing, as
well as those who are low in the scale.
This and Mrs. Browns own wide circle
OF acquaintance, which has been in
creased-by her activity in church work
and her accomplishments as a singer have
given her a social that she has greatly
enjoyed. She rejoiced in the association
with refined, religious people; their good
opinion and their respect were dear to
her And yet she deliberately elected to
become variety actress.
And Mrs. Brown, the clerygman's wife,
given her a social standing she has much
departure, and ii is a reason that most
persons in this struggling world can ap-
preciate. She needs the money not for
herself, but for her children.
THAT is the only reason" she declares
with a. drectness and frankness that car
~ conviction. Every woman must make
sacrifices for her children. The prospect
of going on the stage does not please
me l know that harsh things will be
said about me- But my sons future is
dearer TO me than the opinion of others.
so long as l do nothing that destroys my
own self-respect Women have done in
finite!y worse things for the sake of their
children and have been applauded for it.
Only my most intimate friends will APP
plaud ne; the rest of the world will con-
denim me-because l am a clergyman's
wife. If my husband were not minis
ter not one would pay the slightest at
tention to my going into vaudeville. It
would be looked upon as a praiseworthy
thing to do. l suppose. Does the fact
that one is the wife of clergyman make
IcI less Il NOlldli lcSS ii uioNItI. huSl
her attitude toward her husband and to-
ward her chaldren he different from that
OF another woman?
Il am convinced that those who will
most severely condemn me will not look
at the matter fairly. 1 have thought it
over for more than year. / have looked
at it from every side. l know that my
course is most unusual but l can see no
improperly in il. 1t is a practical matter
and not a question of sentiment. If my
son is TO be properly educated our in
come must be largely increased. My hus-
bands salary is not sufficient. 1 am able
TO earn the necessary money, and 1 felt
that it is my duty to do so. 1 am sure
my going on the stage viii not change
me in the slightest degree.
Mrs Brown has had no real opposition
to overcome save her own repugnance to
going on the stage. and that. she thinks.
IS neither logical nor really justified. For
she will sing the same old songs and in
the same manner that she would sing in a
concert or in a drawing room.
In Brooklyn. Mr.. Brown was an assist
ant rector The Chaplain of the City Mis-
sion Society does not receive a large
salary. There is no certain prospect that
his salary will be increased to any great
extent. Practically all of it is needed
to keep up their home and indeed the
money that Mrs. Brown earned by sing
ing was required to maintain them even
In the modest manner in which they wish
ed to live.
While Mr.. Brown was somewhat shock
ed by the idea Of his wife going into vaud-
evi1e he did not oppose her after she
explained her reasons for it and the man.
ner in which she regarded the matter.
Il am going or the stage not as a
clergyman's wife, but as a singer" said
Mrs. Brown. 1T is not because Of pos
sibIe notoriety, but because can sing the
agement was offered me. 1 shall make
my debut at the Orpheum Theatre IN
Brooklyn. and on the stage 1 shall take
my maiden name. Florence Halliday.
had an opportunity to so into grand opera
but that would mean much harder work
and long absences from my home.
Il have no jrejudices for or against the
theatre. My own work there will include
nothing that any woman might not do
with perfect propriety. ! have been a pro-
fessional singer for years. If 1 had chung
10 the concert stage no one would have
tlitaSuI any ltlltS ABOUT IL MY going
into vaudeville is simply popularizing my
music. If / find that there is anything
in the work. outside OF the prejudice
against clergyman's wife appearing on
the stage to Justify condemnation l shall
leave the stage at once If there is any
good reason why l should not appear in
vaudeville 1 want TO find II out as quickly
as possible. If l fird that there is moth
Ing except unwarranted prejudice to op-
pose my continuing on the stage moth
ing VIII prevent me from going ahead"
Music has been my profession ever
since l was girl. ! was married when
/ was seventeen, and during the nine
years that have interviewed since then I
earned money almost continuously until
We came TO New York. Here / found
that the opportunities for concert singing
are lew. ! missed the earnings and also
the opportunity 20 practice my profession
y am going on the stage TO earn money
10 educate my children, Ny son is five
years cid. and il is time to plan his future
60 far as his education is concerned. A
minister's salary Is not large. and feel
that / should help toward the maintc-
nance of our home and toward laying
aside money which our children will need
a they grow up. Inasmuch as ] am able
10 earn a very considerable sum I think
would be derelict IN my duty If did not
tax advantage Of the opportunity
II has not been easy FOR me TO decide