The New York herald., 1870-01-16
A TRUANT PRIAA DONNA.
The Story Of the Life Of q Slavonic
Song Bird.
The Count Dmitri's PrOtege-She Breaks
One Engagement to Form Another
And Is Charged With Taking
$1,000 OF the Counts Money
Her Arrest, &c.

The facts OF very romantic and novel case, IN
volving several persons VINO have figured somewhat
prominently before AUDIENCES in this and other
cities for the past three months, was investigated
before Justice Shandley at the Jefferson Market
Police Court yesterday. The prisoner was no less
parsonage than the prtrna donna OF the Russian
opera Troupe bewitchlng young lady OF the
blonde order who is charged by the manager OF the
troupe with aosconding in company with male
friend on the 22d OF December last. with $1,000 In
gold belonging 70 the company. In order that the
readers OF the HERALD may fully understand and
appreciate the case, 1t viii be necessary 10 give
history OF the principal actor in the AFFAIR whose
past life has been somewhat romantic It is as fol-
lows:-
THE NARRATIVE.
About ten years ago a Russian Count, while
leisurely strolllng IN the suburbs OF st. Petersburg
enjoying his cigar ana beholding the beauties Of
nature, was startled by hearing o maiden trilling q
sweet, simple lay In tone OF voice that completely
fascinated him. Upon making a more minute In
spectlon OF the locality he discovered that
the angelic voice which had attracted his
attention was none other than that Of modest,
bashful young country girl not more than eleven
years Of age, who was chanting OF her favorite
airs as she mechanically pursued her daily routine
Of business There was something In the tone Of the
artistic connoiseur, ana at once resolving that such
sweetness should no longer be 'wasted the desert
air" he concluded to visit the family Of the young
girl and If possible persuade them to part with her.
AS he had surmised, he found the family In indi
gent circumstances, ana proposed to educate the
daughter and provide for her maintenance. The
proposition was at first rejected, but upon the
counts picturing to them the benefits likely to
accrue from such course on account of his wealth
and station, they reluctantly consented and 1t was
then that Madamolselle Nadejeda Levitskaja became
the prOts06 OF Dmitri d'Agrenen, ''gentlhomne
Russo, lieutenant chevalier," &c.
THE BIRD IN TRAINING.
Under the tutOrshp of her benefactor the country
damsel grew up 70 be O beautiful woman and ac-
compished artist, who had succeeded in turning
the heads OF many OF the nckle minded young men
IN her native city who were admitted to the house
prices, and In short time The proteOe became the
Russian prf,aa donna in the National slavonic
OPERA OF which the Count was the founder and
father She gained q notoriety in st. Petersburg
second to none ana night after night drew crowded
houses Among the audience Sn nee during the early
Philadelphia United States Minister to the Court OF
the Czar, who was infatuated with the sweetness
and childlike simplicity with which the favorite
prtma donna held her audience spell bound. He
concluded TO form the acquaintance OF the manager
and II possible induce him to visit the United states
where he assured hun he would reap golden har-
vest The manager was not loth to listen to the
reasonable story related by his distinguished guest
large expense and set sail for America last fall
after God speed from his many friends, who were
disappointed at tossing their Iavorite.
SHE MIdRATEs TO 1.-THE wEsTo
The troupe accordingly reached here In the early
CLINTON place, which was constantly besleged by
visitors OF Slavonic descent, who were untirng In
their efforts TO promote the happiness ana welfare Of
| their distinguished countrywomen. Arrangements
were soon made for the troupe to appear in public
but at their maiden effort at the Academy Of Music
which WAS q great DISAPPOINTMENT to the
audience. and more particularly to the manager.
way that would have made the hair OF an old wig
stand on end. At q subsequent performance at the
| French theatre ana at steinway Hail the prinno
donna did better, and ner manager begun from the
! vast audiences congregated on both the latter
nights, 10 surmise that the stories related by his
and he was on the road to wealth and an un.
enviaDs fame. Bat all this time the prt,aa donna
benefactor as much as possible which he could not
account fbr until one day upon gong to their apart
ments In Cnnton place he ascertained she had alb
seconded with one Alexander ROgasni leaving no
trace OF their whereabouts behind.
He was now placed IN very embarrassing condi-
ton, his reputation Just dawnlng number oengage-
ments not fulfilled and his prtnia donna non est His
chagrin knew no bounds until 1t was subsequently
at Scnoaa sna Msls sn1sy
To the latter place ne repaired and upon being
shown to the apartments Of the prnaa DONNA seized
her BY the arm and, without giving her time to
make arrangements as TO her baggage marched her
on to the headquarters OF the company, IN Clinton
mead OF Rogasini.
LOVE AND THE LOCKsMIrH.
The latter was sadly troubled what TO 40, but
of,. Of an expert locksmlth ana ilOerate the
house adjoining the two watched the movements
OF the manager for several days, and on the morning
OF the 22d OF December saw him leave the house In
carriage As the carriage rolled through Macdourai
street. RoRasni and hts companion emerged from
Their hiding place and the latter placing pair OF
Qnnn hoA
ton OF standing in the hallway under the same roof
with the Gagged prtnaa donna. Ascending to the
them TO enter the front door soon put the
love-sck youth face to face with his lady love.
to the pavement below, where a carriage was m
waiting, and after nberay remuneratnR the faith.
iSi l3casmitn the Two drove down Sixth avenue TO
train for Philadelphia.
TN. RnpTY CAGE.
Upon the return OF the manager to hls head
quarters In Clinton place he was informed that his
bird mad l0wn. Whittier no one knew. or at
a,.an least 20 the they Informed him; Search for the
Dodge JEFFERSON Market Police Court and mads
Opera Troupe; that on the 22d OF December bis
prirna donna, Nadefda Levitskopa, had been en-.
nsa Psr OF s
Snamols belt for safekeeping ana that she, in
Company with Rogaslni, had consplred toge.
tDer TO defraud them out OF the amount bv
eiopnE to Philadelphia together with ST. 800 OF the
money. leaving the chamoise skin ana $500 OF the
money behind them. Dmtri asked that q warrant
might be issued for their arrest their baggage
was still at the st. Nicholas Hotel. and he had rea-
son to suspect tnas they would return In few days
for II.
HUNTsMRN ON THE TRAIL.
warrant was accordingly issued upon tue anida-
VII being sworn to and placed In the hands OF officer
Brennan, OF the court squad. The offlcer failed to
ascertain the whereabouts of the parties until yes
terday morning, when he learned they were board
Ing at NO. 226 East 1Weny-nrst street ss nus band
and wife,
Upon applying at the house he was informed the
parties could not be seen but upon announcing his
business az important he was shown into their
apartnents and informing them OF his mission they
MADE oil necessary preparations and summonlng
carriage accompanied him TO the Jenerson Market
Police Court before Justice shandley, when their
counsel denied the charges, alleging there never
was any sucn amount In the belt as
stipulated by the plaintiff; that his client
was gentleman OF means on pleasure trip to this
country. and becoming enamored OF the prt,na
donnd had married her the ceremony being per-
formed by the Mayor OF Philadelphia on the 23d OF
December last
He further argued that the cause OF action II any
~ mi n rtfltn h,xtn n~f..x