A Time to Dance-My America 3 by Mary Pope Osborne Page B
Authors: Mary Pope Osborne
Tags: United States, Fiction, General, Historical, Juvenile Fiction, Theater, New York (N.Y.), Performing Arts, 19th century, Diaries, Civil War Period (1850-1877), Reconstruction (U.S. History; 1865-1877), Reconstruction, New York (N.Y.) - History - 1865-1898
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romantic tragedy! I can hardly wait.
July 12, 1865
This morning I took a walk down Broadway to see P. T Barnum's American Museum. It is magnificent! It is five stories tall and takes up almost an entire block!
Jed says Mr. Barnum is famous for playing jokes on the public. He once advertised a "six-foot-tall man-eating chicken." When the curtain went up, there was a man onstage eating
15
a chicken leg. He was a six-foot-tall man... eating chicken! Not a chicken who ate men!
People laughed, and only a few wanted their money back. Can you imagine? I hope the show on Saturday is better than that!
July 13, 1865
I cannot believe that in two days I am finally going to see a play. I was supposed to go to the theatre for the very first time the night President Lincoln was shot.
On that night, Pa was playing in the orchestra at Mr. Ford's theatre. He was going to let me stand in the back and watch a play called
Our American Cousin.
But when the newspapers announced that President Lincoln was going to attend the play that night, Pa said he would not be able to sneak me in.
I was so disappointed that I cried for hours.
16
I thought it was a great tragedy that I could not go to the theatre. I did not know how great the tragedy would truly be that night.
On Saturday, I will wear the lacy yellow dress Jane Ellen gave me to wear to Ford's Theatre. Before I go, I will say a prayer for President Lincoln and his family.
July 14, 1865
I will not wear my yellow dress to P. T. Barnum's American Museum tomorrow. I will not see the show there, or the menagerie, or the ancient curiosities. Why? Because Mr. Barnum's museum has burned to the ground.
Jed says firemen worked for hours to put out the fire. They saved all the people who were inside. Still, Mr. Barnum's museum was completely destroyed and most of the animals in his menagerie died in the fire.
17
Thousands of people turned out to watch the building burn. While the firemen worked to put out the flames, pickpockets moved through the crowd. They stole men's wallets and ladies' purses. Thieves also stole things from the stores and shops around the museum.
How can some people be so terrible?
July 15, 1865
This was the day I was to go with Jed to see the play at Mr. Barnum's museum. Instead, I spent the afternoon in bed in my little pantry room. I told Pa and Jane Ellen I felt sick. But what I truly feel is terribly, terribly sad. I keep thinking of the animals who suffered in the fire, and of the firemen risking their lives, and of the pickpockets and thieves.
I think of the sad, dirty families begging on the streets just a few blocks from our home.
18
I think of the blind and wounded soldiers in the parade, and of John Wilkes Booth, and the conspirators who were hanged in Washington.
And I think of President Lincoln's family, and how heartbroken they must all still be.
I no longer want to go the theatre to watch a "grand romantic tragedy." There is too much tragedy in the world already.
July 16, 1865
At breakfast this morning, Jed said he was "keeping his eye out" for another play that we could see together. I told him he needn't bother, that I had lost my interest in the theatre.
The truth is, I do not feel much interest in anything these days.
19
It has been very hot all week. Jane Ellen has spent most of the last few days in bed. I'm sure the weather is making her feel even more exhausted than usual. She never complains, though. She gently rocks Baby Abe's cradle beside her bed, while he frets about the heat.
Later
Pa came home this afternoon in poor spirits. He says it is a terrible time to look for work as a musician, as many theatres do not even operate in the summer. It makes me sad to picture him carrying his violin all over the city in this heat.
No one has suggested that I go to work. But I feel I should help earn money for our rent and food. We have not discussed my schooling
20
yet. Nor have we spoken about what we will do if Pa cannot find work
July 12, 1865
This morning I took a walk down Broadway to see P. T Barnum's American Museum. It is magnificent! It is five stories tall and takes up almost an entire block!
Jed says Mr. Barnum is famous for playing jokes on the public. He once advertised a "six-foot-tall man-eating chicken." When the curtain went up, there was a man onstage eating
15
a chicken leg. He was a six-foot-tall man... eating chicken! Not a chicken who ate men!
People laughed, and only a few wanted their money back. Can you imagine? I hope the show on Saturday is better than that!
July 13, 1865
I cannot believe that in two days I am finally going to see a play. I was supposed to go to the theatre for the very first time the night President Lincoln was shot.
On that night, Pa was playing in the orchestra at Mr. Ford's theatre. He was going to let me stand in the back and watch a play called
Our American Cousin.
But when the newspapers announced that President Lincoln was going to attend the play that night, Pa said he would not be able to sneak me in.
I was so disappointed that I cried for hours.
16
I thought it was a great tragedy that I could not go to the theatre. I did not know how great the tragedy would truly be that night.
On Saturday, I will wear the lacy yellow dress Jane Ellen gave me to wear to Ford's Theatre. Before I go, I will say a prayer for President Lincoln and his family.
July 14, 1865
I will not wear my yellow dress to P. T. Barnum's American Museum tomorrow. I will not see the show there, or the menagerie, or the ancient curiosities. Why? Because Mr. Barnum's museum has burned to the ground.
Jed says firemen worked for hours to put out the fire. They saved all the people who were inside. Still, Mr. Barnum's museum was completely destroyed and most of the animals in his menagerie died in the fire.
17
Thousands of people turned out to watch the building burn. While the firemen worked to put out the flames, pickpockets moved through the crowd. They stole men's wallets and ladies' purses. Thieves also stole things from the stores and shops around the museum.
How can some people be so terrible?
July 15, 1865
This was the day I was to go with Jed to see the play at Mr. Barnum's museum. Instead, I spent the afternoon in bed in my little pantry room. I told Pa and Jane Ellen I felt sick. But what I truly feel is terribly, terribly sad. I keep thinking of the animals who suffered in the fire, and of the firemen risking their lives, and of the pickpockets and thieves.
I think of the sad, dirty families begging on the streets just a few blocks from our home.
18
I think of the blind and wounded soldiers in the parade, and of John Wilkes Booth, and the conspirators who were hanged in Washington.
And I think of President Lincoln's family, and how heartbroken they must all still be.
I no longer want to go the theatre to watch a "grand romantic tragedy." There is too much tragedy in the world already.
July 16, 1865
At breakfast this morning, Jed said he was "keeping his eye out" for another play that we could see together. I told him he needn't bother, that I had lost my interest in the theatre.
The truth is, I do not feel much interest in anything these days.
19
It has been very hot all week. Jane Ellen has spent most of the last few days in bed. I'm sure the weather is making her feel even more exhausted than usual. She never complains, though. She gently rocks Baby Abe's cradle beside her bed, while he frets about the heat.
Later
Pa came home this afternoon in poor spirits. He says it is a terrible time to look for work as a musician, as many theatres do not even operate in the summer. It makes me sad to picture him carrying his violin all over the city in this heat.
No one has suggested that I go to work. But I feel I should help earn money for our rent and food. We have not discussed my schooling
20
yet. Nor have we spoken about what we will do if Pa cannot find work
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