Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-07-26
ADELINA PATTI.
Something About the Loves Sf a Prima
Donna.

II
professional beauty, was one day ex-
changing little pleasant banter on the
subject of her lovers. On being ques-
toned politely, respecting one of them,
for whom she was supposed to entertain
a more than passing fancy, she declared,
with an easy laugh:
well, l did love him, madly. while
we were playing at t, and it was
very pleasant but in the course of time
we went on to ., where saw anoth-
er whom ! liked better, and forgot all
about the first one."
And so, perhaps, it is with most ac-
tresses and prima donnas, whose hncies
are as many and as 1eeting as their ad-
mirers. The world hears of these
things; sometimes it is the divorce court,
sometimes it is volume written by a
friend, which reveals the secret.
Some amusing recollections of Nadine.
PATHS early life have just been publish
ed by Froulein Douisa Lauw. This lady,
we are told, lived with the great prima
donna from 1868 to 1877. The record be-
gins with the appearance of the seven
teen-year-old donna prima in London,
and is carried down to the time when
the disturbances in the domestic affairs
of the Marquis de Caux appear to have
cIused separation between the two la
dies. FIaulein Lauw begins by telling
how the Patti family maze the acquaint-
ance of venerable Italian, to whom
Patti became 30 attached that she called
him her "dear papa" She was at his
home nearly every day, and there one
evening at dinner met two young Milan
ese of very engaging manners. With
one of these handsome young fellows
she fell in love.
"Papa Patti" was consulted, and gave
his consent, but on one condition.
"Wait," he said.
The betrothed lovers had to accept the
decision of the father, and
put up for the time being with the priv
ilege of meeting each other twice a week
in the house of papa. Adelina contin-
ued her career of triumph, but, while
the public performed almost impossible
things in its enthusiasm, Adelina's be-
trothed sat in his chair as if on Goals;
his eyes flashed flames and daggers in
all directions. But it was not the pub
lie alone whose enthusiasm enraged the
young Othello; the lava of his jealousy
poured also over the artistes who sup
ported her. When the great Mario, as |
Romeo, kissed his Juliet, it seemed as if
the jealous one hunted in his pockets for
a bomb with which to destroy his sup
posed rival.
More and more consumed by jealousy,
he young man declared to Adelina's
iather that he would wait no longer, and
must incontinently marry his love. His
insane behavior led Papa Patti to fear
hat if married to such man Adelina's
ot would not be one of roses. The two
men quarreled. Adelina was beside
herself, and wept bitterly when she
heard of the rapid conclusion of her
owe idyll.
When q few months later they learn
ID that Signor M. had failed in business
he was no longer mentioned" says the
sraulein in winding up the episode.
The story goes on to tell of the Sunday
evening meetings at PATHS house dur
ng the Winter after she had returned
rom her London season to Paris. From
hese gatherings Nilsson was seldom alb.
ent. and among the most diligent visi-
ors were Gustave Dore, the Vicomto
)aru, Baron st. Armand, and the Mar
Iuis de Caux. Adelina looked forward
o the meeting with the marquis with
lad excitement. One evening it was
fter performance of "Traviata"-the
marquis remained with us after a. few
riends had departed from Adelina's
lressing-room. As he always repeated
onscientiously the town gossip to us,
Adelina turned smilingly toward him
nd asked:
well, marquis, what is there now
What is Paris talking about?" |,
'The newest thing" was the answer,
lis that we are engaged"
/ must admit that this answer startled
ne. and that looked at Adelina with
ny curiosity on tension. Her features
eemed enlivened by an inexpressible
oveliness: Smilingly she said to the
marquis.
"And why not2 hope it would not
'e unpleasant for your"
At first embarrassed, then ioyfully
moved, the marquis was only able to
TANNER the words:
"No, certainly not l would be the
lappiest of mortals if it were true!"
Blushingly Adelina extended her hand
o the marquis, who was almost beside I
Iimself with JOY, while she said:
II, too, would be hapyy."
Wildly the marquis pressed the proffer-
d hand to his lips; intoxicated with Joy
le clasped Adelina in his arms, then hur-
led away spcechless. But Adelina in
long, warm embrace, whispered the
confession to me: 81 am very happyp
1t is said that Patti at first took q
trong aversion to Signor Nicolini, "be-
ause ofh habit of boasting of his con-
Iuests" Fraulein Lauw tells incidents
If his breaking of contracts and making