Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-06
ALICE OATES.
A Word or Two Accidentally Dropped by
Manager Miles to an interviewer.

terday, as a matter of course, attracte
much gossip, which was increase
considerably by a knowledge of tn
fact that the charming little SINCE
herself is in the city. Last night
Courier Journalist wandered down t
the house wherein Sweet Alice" i
now spending the summer. Befor
letting the young mar speak, we Civ
the following bit of talk with Bol
Miles by an emissary of the Cincin
natl Enquirer:
In another partof this paper will b,
found a number of letters from Alic,
Oates, the Queen of Opera Boufe.
to one Henri Laurent, the gander
legged tenor, who was a member Of
her troupe a season or so ago. Las
night an Enquirer man found Boil
Miles, her manager, behind a desk IN
Hawleys, porting over a copy of the
Mercury containing the billet doux.
and looking as though he had lost
every friend he had in the world. and
never expected to find another. "Hel-
10, Bob" said our youth. what do
you think of your star and the great
female American letter writer ?'
II hardly know what to think
responded Mr.. Miles, =" am as much
surprised as it is possible for me to
be-"
She seems to be dead gone on
the fellow suggested our youth.
She was dead crazy after him, |
know replied Mr.. Miles, "but |
thought she had gotten over it, for she
has since married, if | mistake not. ,
Married whom ?" vas the query.
A Philadelphia man named Wat
kins, was the answer. AT least
that was the understanding" contin-
ued Bob, for Watkins kept hanging
around her during our Eastern trip
until | got tired of it and told him It
would have to stop. He then told me
in her presence that he would get A
divorce from his wife on the 10Th of
and that he would marry her
three days after. While in New York
| had a talk with Archie Gordon. of
the Dramatic News, about the matter.
and | told him that if Mrs. Oates cot
married she would have to look out
Tor another manager, as | would not
give her five cents a week if she had a
husband tagging around at her heels.
told her the same thing, aud that's
reason, | think, she did not tell
NE OF her marriage when she passed
through the city last week"
What did she say them" queried
our man.
well" responded Mr.. Miles, 81
link she came West just to tell me of
her marriage, but the manner | opened
,ut on her scared her, for the instant
| saw her | said; L suppose che state
nent in the Dramatic News. that |
would sever my connection with her
t she married, was made on the
of my statement to Gordon
while in New York She asked
What difference it would make to me
whether she was married or single |
old her that three-fourths of her
draft in the. West, where she was
strongest, was among the young men,
md ifshe was married they would not
,are a rap to see her. She then
aughed and said What would ri
want with a husband?' | said MAY.
'e you want some one to support.
If | haven't enough to support
wa her answer. No she CON
Mr.. Watkins loves me dearly.
md is willing to take me off the STAGE
md support me elegantly, but | will
lot let any man living support nv
and myfamily,' To-day | saw
gentleman who lives in PHILADELPHIA.
md he told me that his wife is a great
riend of Mr. Watkins family. and
hat his mother told her that her son
lad married Mrs. Oates on the 9th of
Nay. These letters" said Bob. re.
urning to their perusal in the paper.
make plain to me many things that
we're inexplicable when they occurred.
know now what made her so nervous
nd sick when she failed to get let.
ers from Laurent. Why rightin the
midst OF the success of Little Duke.
n San francisco, she got sick and lost
on days playing. Now l see what
vas the matter"
What a fool she was to write such
urged our reporter.
Well, she IS only a woman" re-
Bob, and then he added
But she was a bigger fool not to
AVE recovered possession of them.
Yrs; Laurent came TO me in New
fork and wanted employment. | had
lone to give her. She then told me
hat Laurent was not contributing
.nything toward her support. and that
he had applied in vain to Mrs. Oates
or help. and that she had promised
o give her back letters she had writ.
en- to her husband if she would assist
Ter. | am satisfied that for 800 every
OF the letters could have been OBJ
Has Mrs. Oates much money
was the next question.
No, indeed" answered Bob.
Her share of the seasons profits
vas $4,000, but she lives high. and
The sent Laurent money time and
l6ain to help him to take out his
Pinafore' party and for his individual
Use. | am satisfied that now she has
no more wealth than she absolutely
needs for this summers use. Poor
continued Miles m%usinqly. "
I'm heartily sorry for her, for. With all
her faults, she is one of the best
hearted women in the world, and she
no woman on the American
who can take her place on IT,"
Is Mrs. Oates at home? 2" asked
Courier of the very iolly
lady, who answered the young
mans pull of the door-bell attached
to a very snug cottage, on West Wal
nut last night.
IA ,,,rL4 ~ "