The New York herald., 1868-05-15
MARINE coUHT-TRIAL TERM-pART |.
English Opera in the Marine Court-The
TribulatiOns Of Debuiante-H0w Success
is Sometimes Achieved-Suit for the Re-
covery Of SALARY.

Is Sometimes Achieved-Suit for the Re.
c0very Of SALARY.
Before Judge Alker
Laura WaldrOn Us. Caroline Bernard sued under
the name or Caroline Rtcltngs.-Th is interesting
little up for trial yesterday before this
court, and considerable number of ladies and gen.
tlemen connected with the operatlc profession were
present.
The action is brought for the recovery of 800 for
expenses and for services rendered by plaintiff as
leading soprano In the Rchings English opera troupe
Of which the defendant Is the manager, during the
all seaso n OF 1867 in Boston and elsewhere.
The plaintiff Is very youthful appearing lady
apparently eighteen nineteen years OF age, and
made her debut at the Philadelphia Academy OF
Music, In Miss Rchings' company IN December
IsSI IN the character OF airline IN the opera OF "he
Bohemian Girl" IL was claimed on trial in her be-
half that an engagement was made at $50 per week
for one or two appearances per week If she was
favoraby received by the press ana the public, and
that in the event OF her being required to sing three
times during the week she should receive SIS for
such performance.
Mr.. wadron, father OF the plaintiff was put on
the witness stand, and testified to the making of an
engagement with Miss Rchings on behalf OF bis
daughter, through Mr.. Pennoyer, Miss Richings
agent.
Miss waldron was also examined, and testified 10
the rendering OF services and produced congratu-
latory letters from Miss kichings and Philadelphia
newspapers were also put in evidence showing the
comments OF the press at the time regarding plain
Miss Rchings was called as the first witness for
the Defence examined by Mr.. Cook and testified
that she was married, under the name OF Bernard;
had negotiations by letter with plaintr; had no
negotiations with plaintis father prior to pIants
debut AZ airline, at Philadelphia; Miss waidron ap-
peared on tnat occasion at what Is called 'rlal for
an engagement;" after the performance I had an
interview behind the scenes with Miss Waldron: n
think, on the evening OF the 2Sth OF November:
said every WELL indeed;n she then said that she did
not think she had had fair trial. shc had cold
and had not had rehearsals enough; said she should
have fair trial and should play the same part I'm
Boston the next week; on the following morning
spoke TO Mr.. waldron about II and told him she had
week; Mr. wadron made no reply ~ to 'n NV rearn
up to tnat time Mr.. Waldron aud had made no
no negotiation that 1 recolect; Miss wadron
the evening Of December 4; did not see Miss
Waldron for two or three days afterward, but Mr..
that Mr.. Pennoyer had told him that Miss Waldron
was not competent for the position she wished to
assume; told him then that his daughter was not
again; have managed my present company for two
years;.lt Is nlteen years since made my first ap-
ever since to establish IL the principal busness 81
Miss Waldron was to assist me in leading parts the
only means had of knowing what Miss Waldron's
say; sat In one OF the boxes at Boston during the
performance and heard dlsparaging remarks made
Of her heard s these remarks MAJ made BY the general
the time; also heard remarks OF disapprobation
as ] was going out; did not witness the perfor
nance in Philadelphia from the front OF the house
and therefore cannot speak Of that with satisfaction
was on the stage during portion Of the time only
and heard ths nrst song; no arrangement was made
anything
q What should you say Of the success of the plain.
young lady was equivecal M 9'-7
Q. What is the meaning Of the term 'equIvoca, In
your professionY Witness laughing and evidently |
at loss for moment as to the Sechntle)--I hardly
know, any person In the profession would know |
What We mean by an 'equiv0calv success. l
Counsel-Well, and we should like TO know It also,
Miss RichinQs. NJ wv .
Miss Richings-well by an equivocal success we |
mean success that would not enable person to |
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