National Republican., 1883-11-15

silks and satins, then rush for the box Of
flee. The colonel himself was not discover
able; his usually oflicious and magnificent
aids were busy elsewhere. The only prom
inent persons In the foyer were the no less
magnificent ushors and the ubiquitous Fred
Rullmann, who cheerfully impaired as much
vague and contradictory information as they
could summon in the crisis.
Mr.. Rullman grew purple in the face with
explanations. He said that Patti had been
out riding in the park and the sudden change
in the weather had given her slight attack
of spinal meningitis, or Group, or something
he wasn't quito sure what.
There arc" he said, "a dozen certificates
from as many doctors to prove it."
Meanwhile the rush at the box Office be-
came tumultuous Tho romarks Of the cul-
tured patrons Of opera wero not in all cases
refined or complimentary. Above the crush
Of satins could be heard the occasional exple-
tive of that particular patron of music who
had set his heart on Patti and whose gorge
rose at Pappenheim and "Trovatore" as sub
stitutes
For half an hour Fourteenth street and
Irving place were strewn.with the wrecks of
disappointed stock holders and patrons, wend-
ing their way either TO the Metropolitan or
their homes. .is4
In the house there was a geucrai' air of
disappointment, against which Nine. Pappen-
helm had to struggle. The parquet showed
empty gaps all around; tho parterre was
empty here and there, and the boxes were
deserted.
During the intervals Of the performance.
protracted discussion was held in tho lobbies,
vestibule, and foyer by those habitues of the
house whom no disaster can drive away.
The opinions expressed varied In intensity
and In ascribing causes for PATHS absence, but
all agreed in regarding 1t as u misfortune to
the house.
Ono conspicuous patron of the academy
was heard to say:
"If Patti goes we'll have to shut up shop"
To which another replied, go where2 Not
up townP
There was general exclamation of doubt
and disgust. and the first speaker, returning
to tho subject, said:
ooh, well, you all know as we'll az do that
they have been trying to get her up there
for two weeks, and won't stop at anything to
accomplish their purpose. Patti Is not in the
habit of getting sick over night, and don't
believe she is any sicker than am" Where
upon, to prove his perfect health, he ordered
drinks all around.
During the evening reporter called at tho
Windsor hotel and was told that Nine. Patti
had given peremptory orders that no ono be
admitted TO her room. The bell boy of tho
establishment, who seemed TO know moro
than anybody else, stood on his toes as if he
were going to sing the " Di Quella Pira," and
said that Patti was sick. Then he put his
tongue in his cheek, ,whistled ominously. and
waltzed down the corridor.
The Metropolitan syndicate preserved a
dignified rcticence. Mr.. Tillotson rolled up
his eyes in sad astonishment at the news and
said, Let us hope it isn't true" Mr.. Abbey
lit cigar, looked steadily at hole in the
wall for five minutes, and then turned on
his heel. Mr.. Copleston thought there must
be some mistake, and Maurice Grau said that
Italian opera singers always were unreliable;
for good, square working people give him
opera boufie singers after all.