A Drama Behind the Scenes.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 441, 29 January 1890, Page 4

A Drama Behind the Scenes.

Chaklottk Cushman, the American actress, we are told, was in love but once in her life. She met in Cincinnati, where she was playing, an actor named Clark, with whom she fell in love. Through her efforts, Clark was advanced to leading man in the company, and the course of true love ran smoothly. One night the actress met a strange woman behind the scenes, between the acts. The woman was worn and faded looking, was almost in rags, and carried a baby in her arms. Miss Cushman wondered who she was, and wondered how she got behind the scenes, but she wondered more when the woman came up to her and addressed her thus : ‘ You are Charlotte Cushman, tb6 great actress. Haven’t you got enough men to admire you without coming between man and wife, and robbin’ me of my only man ?’ ‘Your only man,’ echoed Miss Cushman, hardly thinking she heard aright. • Yes, my husband,’ said the faded-look-ing ragged woman. 4 Your husband ?’ cried Miss Cushman, getting excited. 4 What on earth are you talking about? Do I know your husband ?’ ‘Yes, and x you have taken, or you are trying to take him from me, 1 continued the ragged woman, looking Miss Cushman full in the face, who saw that the strange woman was in earnest. 4 Who, in God’s name, woman, is your husband ?’ asked Mrs Cushman, returning the look with interest. 4 Conrad Clark,’ replied the woman, 4 the father of this child,’ pointing to the half starved thin little child in her arms. Miss Cushman started as if she was shot. Conrad had married the woman in New York, years ago, and had deserted her a year afterwards. It was enough. Miss Cushman promised the woman she should have her husband. 4 At least I will have nothing more to do with him,’ she said, and though it broke her heart she kept her word. She went through her part that night as usual—acted it splendidly brought down the house; then after the performance she waited as usual for Clark to knock at her dressing-room door to see if she was ready to go with him to. her hotel. As usual Clark knocked, and then opened the door for her. She brought forward to him his wife and baby, who had been waiting in the dressing-room to receive him. Such a reception ! Charlotte Cushman never looked or acted so grandly on the stage in aU her life as she did that night in her dressing-room. She waved Clark away, with a greater majesty than ever as Queen Katherine she waved away Cardinal Wolsey, and then going to her hotel, probably had a good crying, spell. Bub she never loved again.. ; ..