The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-01-08

The RISTORI BUSINESS.-We nave Deen
asked many questions concerning the re-
sult Of the Ristori business, and as to whe-
ther or not the parties holding tickets TO
her entertainments would receive back the
money expended for them. Shortly after
the engagement of this celebrated artist
was declared at an end, We announced, BY
request, that party had been sent to New
York for the money, and that it was IN
tended that the money would probably be
refunded on Wednesday the 26th OF De-
cember, and if not on that day, on some
day soon thereafter. The Goth Of Decem-
ber came, but no money for the holders of
the Ristori tickets with it. Those who had
not invested chuckled at their unfortunate
friends, while the latter class began to
wonder if their money wasredlly not to be
forthcoming. What pity it is that hu-
man nature is so distrustful, even in this
age of honesty and integrity. Hon could
they doubt for a moment that "this was
the place to get their money back"? We
have made every effort TO quiet the anxiety
of our friends who have had the mistOr-
tune to invest in Ristori tickets, and we
give below the result of our inquiries,
which we fear will hardly prove satisiac-
tory:
1t is necessary first to go into short
detail Of the contract entered into by
Messrs. Duffield s. Waldron, the then
managers OF the Richmond Theatre, and
Mr.. J. Grau, the manager of Ristorrs
company. Four thousand six hundred
dollars were to be given for the engage
ment for two nights, to be paid in install
a., t.,IIon,. IN tho 18th nj noaam
her, $500; on the 2lst, $4,000; on the 22d,
$500 and on the same day, $500 in rail
road tickets were to be sent. On the night
of the first performance here--the 24th--
the balance, 81 900, were to be paid. As
soon as the contract was signed, the ticket
Office was opened here; and on the 18th,
in accordance with the provision OF the
contract, $500 were sent to Mr.. Grau in
New York. After about 1918 in tickets
had been sold at the box office OF the Thea
tire, the ticket office was removed TO
Messrs. J. w. Davies Sons. At about the
time that the second installment OF $1,000
fell due, a variety of circumstances CON-
bined to render its payment impossible /;
chief among which was the fact that sni-
ficient number of tickets to make up the
amount had not been sold. The managers
of our Theatre did not have the where
withal to make up the difference, for an
attachment for 4zrent due Tor the
Theatre building was then over their heads.
This was subsequently served, and the
managers having completely failed, were
forced to close the Theatre. But 10 the re-
storation of the money obtained for the
tickets, Messrs. Davies Sons. who had by
some fortunate circumstance withheld the
money received by them from the mana
gers, very readily redeemed their tickets;
but il was announced that most OF the mo-
ney received at the Theatre having been
sent To the North, the tickets sold there
could not be redeemed until that should
be returned. The agent sent for II
has returned, but without the money, for
Mr.. Grau has declared that it was forfeited
to himby non-iulflment of contract. There
are still, however, S47S, or nearly half the
amount received at the Theatre, to be ac-
counted for by the managers. OF this we
have been unable to hear anything. We
hope the persons who claim 1t may be more
fortunate.
This is the state Of the matter at this
time. There has certainly been gross
breach Of faith by the managers. They
should at least have reserved the money In
their hands, after paying Grau the first in
stalment, as a sacred fund to secure that
for which the people had paid, and conf
dina in their honor had paid to them. Such
breach of trust will make ii rather diff
ficult matter to raise another large sum by
subscription to induce great actor to
come to this city. People who hereafter sub
scribe money for such purpose will take
care to know who is to haze charge oft. Our
New York correspondent states that Mr..
Dufiield will vindicate himself. We hone
so. Towards that gentleman the feeling
among the playgoers has been kind.
For the return of the money not yet paid
tp the purchasers of tickets We conjecture
there is no good reason to hope. There 10
certainly no indication at all encouraging
at this time.