The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-03-01
ETELKA GERSTER.
ALI About the Madame and the Won
derful Baby.
Pleasant Pastime Of a Reporter.

AoohlhO GtOiho 0OASSSA VS. O0AA
in Kaschon, Hungary, something
like thirty years ago, Of good family,
and did not, like many prime dome,
advance to fame and wealth from a
lowly station. She did not in6end
to be professional singer at first,
but was constrained to adopt the
profession because of her magnifi-
cent genius. For some years che
has been married to DR.. Carlo Gar.
DIM, one of the first gentlemen of
Italy, and consul-general from the
United States, appointed by Prssi>
dent Hayes. DR.. Gardini accompa-
MES Madame Gerster ON her present
tour. They own a splendid villa
near Bologna, where they spend five
months of every year. The seat
embraces twelve large farms, on
which are produced everything save
tea and coffee. A church where
Madame Gerster and her husband,
together with all their dependents,
worship, Is located on the estate.
The most remarkable feature Of
Madame Gerster's life would be
omitted, were no mention made of
her little daughter Linda, born
about two years ago, after the lady
had been singing the opera "Linda."
It Is estimated that this child has
cost Gerster nearly half million
dollars. Linda, it is said, was the
csuse of the recent episode at Balti-
more. Colonel MaplesOn had per-
suaded madame to leave the baby at
New York. At Baltimore the lady
heard that Linda had wheezed, and
she ran away to New York, leaving
husbands and maids behind. Co lonel
Mapleson followed and brought her
back. Madame receives four tele>
grams every day, giving the condi.
ton Of her daughter, who, it must
be remembered, is healthy and ro-
bust. The kilograms run some
thing like this: "Linda Is quite
we'll; has had her tea, and is sleeps
ing comfortably"
Linda sings all the operas, and
plays on piano specially manufac-
tured for her, containing two
octaves. She is wonderful child
In every respect. Colonel Mapleson
once approached her in sport and
asked her to appear as one of the
children in the opera Of "N Norma"
"What are the terms ?" Linda
queried.
"Twenty-fve cents a perform
ance."p
sob, I wouldn't go into contract
for less than $1,000 night" replied
the little lady, haughiily.
There was a rumor around the
Southern hotel at midnight Satur>
day that Linda had the stomach
ache. Madame Gerster had re-
ceived no telegram from New York
since s o'clock. Madame had not yet
packed her Trunks, and it was
doubtful whether she would take
the special train for the west or
board an east>bOund Vandalia
special standing at the Union depot,
awaiting the "Jalma" party. It was
critical moment fer Colonel Map
eson. 1t had Just been arranged
hat Patti should go to San Fran.
,isco, and now she vas confronted
with the prospective flight of Ger
'ter to New York. Fate favored the
colonel, however, and Gerster was
soon whirling toward the occident |
n train which had orders to make
40 long or unnecessary stops.
g..
Iva as ever carried a note. A Times
Exporter who was detailed to &C
company tho Mapleson party from
st. Louis dined with the lady ye3-
.erday and spent an hour with her
afterwards in her apartment.
81 bave never been interviewed"
laid the lady, smilIngly. "What |
shall speak Off l must not talk of |
myself. [ can say DO hing but coed
If others, and you probably would
lot be interested in that "
"Tell me about the Baltimore ep
sode2"
"That is too old now to talk about.
COLONEL Mapleson and [ had little
that is all. No correct &C
count OF the true inwardnsss of it
lad ever appeared in print. All the
lrticles have been con Trajectory; so
he public believe none of them. III
believe ehall let the matter rest as
{ is"
81 understand that Patti goes
vest, after alp"
"Does she ? I know nothing about |
t authoritatively. [ fancy that she |
viii go west"
What is your view of the future |
Il opera in American"
"GrandT exclaimed Madame |
Ierster. "There will undoubtedly |
De two Italian opera companies in |
he field again next year. The two
rave come in competition too much !
his season, resulting in disaster f1r |
Ir. Abbey. The country can sup
port two companies, but they should |
lot adopt the suicidal policy of fol-
owing esch other around from place
o place. While one is in New
I DIRK the other should be on the
'oad, and in this way both would be
sustained. Colonel Mapleson has |
lad Mr.. Abbey at disadvantage. |
because the people have confidence |
a the former and know that ne will |
give what he promises. Mr.. Abbey