New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-18
MRS. LANGTRY WINS AGAIN.
VERBAL AGREEMENT NOT BINDING.
MR.. ELwooD LosFs HIS sUrT-Ir WAS HIS LIVER
WHICH WAS TIE CHAPERONT

WHICH WAS THE CHAPERONI
The Third District Civil Court room was
crowded yesterday with miscellaneous assemolase u
gallery gods actresses actors and amateurs OF the stage
Some had to get glimpse Of the Jersey Lily whhe
others wished to learn the validity OF verbal contract
or engagement
The Jury was comnoscd Of six business men, all familiar
with the nature ami importance of contracts They were
midde-aged. and there not baldheai among them
They decide whether Mrs Langtry had
Arthur Elwood az her leading man. Mr. El"ood as
serted that such the case, the agreement however,
being a verbal one.
Mr. Hummcl, attorney for Mr. ElwOod, stated that MS
client employed by Mrs. Emile Charlotte Lansry'
in London on October p. for period OF twentysx con
secutive weeks In this written cOnract was stipulated
that Mrs. Langy should have the option OF extending the
engagement, II successful, intended making sup
elemental TO California and Canada OF ten weeks
After signing the contract with Mr. Mcndum her MAN
ager Mr.. Elwood asked Mr.. Coe, the stage MANAGER
whether he would be retained for the extra season ME-
Coe told Mr. Elwood not to he uneasy about that as ne
would be retained for the entire tour, if the written
contract did read only twentysix weeks with ths
understanding continued the counsel, Mr. Ewood was
engaged, at a salary. OF $50 week "a leading gentle
man" In addition to Mr.. Goes assurance, he also hau
Mrs Langtrvs on two occasions once in conversation
in Boston, again while walking IN St Louis Even AFTER
she had spoken about dspacins him. she came 10 him
in m apologize manner said she for what
she had said about his discharge hoped that he would ex
cuse temper asked him TO continue in the company
and go san Francisco, they would all have nice
time ont there" This about two months beore inc
expiration OF the written contract OF twentys1 Weeks
and Mr. Ewood having been twice assured by Mrs Lang
try that he expected to continue Tor the entire sea-
son. naturally concluded that that was as good as
written contract.
The contract expired at Chicago April 26 and Mr.
Ewood was informed that his contract had expired ana
passage TO London had been engaged for him.
He demonstrated but Mrs Llngtry replied CURLY IN
note: "The engagement signed by you and me ior
twentysix weeks and hold your contract to that ell
feet" She asked him play day to close the Chicago
season. he did telling her manager that he CON
sdered it a re-engagement He was paid for that one
day aud dismissed Mr.. Elwood therefore sued TOT hVe
days salary S67 claiming also that he was entitled to
ten weeks salary the full time OF the supplemental tour
beginning on April &c.
Miss Adelaide Houston testified: al am leading lady
Of company Feeling dissatisfied with something that
had occurred went to Mrs Langry willis al 81 LOUIS;
and told her that # she did not wish to re-engage me ~
made no difference for would Just soon return 70
England Mrs Lanstry replied: Don't thnk OIL g3lsg,
dear want you 10 stay WIN me me any o. tour CO. nv
DEAR and tell them that they all going to stay ana
we are all going back TO England together"
Just Miss Houston concluded, Mrs. Langry entered
from the clerks Office and placed on the stand enc
seemed confused at first but soon she xed hef eyes IN
ently the jurymen, and wreathed her lace IN mos
pleasant smile. She testified that FL WOOD was discharged
for incOmpetenCy. He stalnlneitd
ences she said and marred her efforts. did expect u
take him back England but became dissatisfied witt
him and decided the contract with him, as
did with tho others There If In the contract
The tour 10 California and Canada was TO he made only
IF successful in the first tour Part OF the TINT
Nj EwoOd sick. At Dubuque lie said that his lVel
hut him so badly that he could not raise his arm
Mrs Lanrry told the liver story in quick, indifferent
| manner. and when OF laughter hled the conr
| roOm she looked nOnplussed for a moment, nnaliy
| however, Joining In the general hilarity Mrs
Iangtry denied conversation with Miss Houston es
pecialy the endearng terms; but she admitted TN
Boston and ct. Louis conversations with Mr. Elwood
She intended reengang MIN then, she sad but since
che had decided otherwise. In answer TO question 10y
| Mr. Tummel, to whether she chsperoned Ew0od OF
the occasion OF the St Louis waK she replied Sharply
| "NO."
| Then he was the chaperon 7"
Put anyway you Ike, she replied. her face suuset
| with bushes.
| As Mrs. Langtry left the stand she va
met by MI Elwood who had been called
IN his behalf He looked into her eyes with stone
expressoness stare and passed without word OF recog
! milton lie testified 10 the conversation which, N
| thought, constituted n verbal REIMBURSEMENT.
Mr.. Coe. stage manager, stated that Mr. Elwood wa
| an incompetent actor. and that he could not play
| 4" Pygmalion "a Mrs. Langtry wanted 1t PLAYED;
After hours elaboration the jury decided IN iaVo
| OF Mrs. Iaugtry