The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-14
RUNS AWAY TO SING IN
OPERA GLAD TO RETURN
Florence Webber, Daughter OF
Well-Known Manufacturer,
Comes Home Repentant.
HAD FLATTERING OFFER
Was to Be the Messenger Boy in
the prince of PilSen," but
Not Given a Chance.
HAD FLATTERING OFFEl

Consumed with a passion for the career
of an actress and dazzled by a most fiat
tering offer, Florence Webber, the four
teen-y -year-Old daughter of Charles Weber,
the South Meridian-street hat manufac-
turer, deserted her parents and her home
at 80 Eugene flats Tuesday afternoon, and
went to Vincennes to join the Prince of
Pilsen" Company Discovered in her
flight, and sent for by her parents, the
young girl returned yesterday afternoon.
repentant.
Miss Webber is a girl with attractive
face and figure and an unusually good voice.
She has sung for some time and has been
an enthusiastic devotee of the opera, making
an open avowal of her intention to become
an actress as soon as she reached a proper
age and the opportunity offered. When
1.-The Prince of Pilsen" last showed at the
English Opera House in this city the girl
was fascinated with the show and with the
aid of Manager Miller, of the English, was
given the opportunity to sing twice before
the musical director of the opera. So well
did he like her voice that he made her a
hattering offer, at that time. to join his
company.
The matter was taken under advisement.
although she kept it complete secret from
her parents. The latter charge a theatrical
man of this city with influencing their
daughter to take the step she did, and say
that girl friend also helped her in making
her plans. Miss Webber left indianapolis
Tuesday afternoon at 1:3O o'clock for Vim
cennes, where THE Prince of Pilsen" Com
pany played that evening She states that
she was to be understudy for the Messenger
Boy, an important singing part, with the
promise of being soon promoted TO that role
regularly The salary offer made the girl
by the management of the show was OF
such nature as to prove tempting to any
young woman with theatrical aspirations.
On discovering her daughters absence,
Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Webber soon Sc
cured from the girls friend, who had aided
her in planning her flight, information as
TO her whereabouts, and took immediate
steps TO secure her return. II. c. Webster,
of the American Detective Association, a
personal friend of the family, volunteered
to go at once 10 Vincennes He located
Miss Webber Immediately upon her arrival,
and when he reached that city easily per
suaded her TO return with him. They agreed
! that the best plan would be not TO disclose
/ Miss Webber's purpose until the following
morning, when the theatrical company took
| train for Terre Haute, where the show
| was booked for last evening. The young
! girl and her friend accompanied the troupe
to Terre Haute. but upon arrival In that
! city they took the first train Tor this city
| arriving here at 2:30 o'clock yesterday after
/ noon.
My daughter has been eager to go on
the stage for a long time" stated Mrs
Webber last evening, land was dazzled by
! the offer made her by the manager of The
! Prince of Pilsen' company She did moi
/ realize what she doing when she went
! to VincenneS, and cried with happiness
when she met Mr.. Webster. She was ready
! to return with him at once, and was happy
| in being home.
Miss Webber is a student at ST. John:
| Academy and boarding school for girls.