Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-07-04
GAY TENOR OF HIS WAYS.
Siqnor CARDINAL Won Hearts and Lost
Diamonds.
Ne Disappoints a San Francisco Sweetheart
and Leaves About the Time Another Lady
Threatens Suit.

When Colonel Mapleson last ransackeI
Europe for singers for her Majesty s
Opera Company, he found Signor Cardi-
nall and engaged him. Signor CARDINAL
isa tenor. He sang the part Rhadames
in "Aida." When the Signor was not
behind the footlights or running his vo-
cal scales, he busted himself either in
laying attention to the ladies or in pol
ishing up the many diamonds he pos
sessed.
His enemies whispered that the Sig
nor made great show of his care for
diamonds to make people believe they
had some value. When the whispers
came to Cardinali's ears he only shrugged
his shoulders in fine Italian scorn and
paid no more attention tn them.
The Signor travelled with Her Males
ty's Opera Company all over this broad
land, and he sang Rhadames in the big
cities. He came back to New York
when the season ended, and two weeks
before he was to sail for Europe he asked
his friends. operate and otherwise, TO a
dlnner at Riccadonna's cafe. He gave
Riccadonna carte blanche and he per-
sonally impressed upon Riccadonna's
head cook the necessity of making the
dinner worthy Of an Italian gentleman's
hospitality.
The night of the dinner came and the
guests crowded Riccadonna's brilliant
dining rooms. Signor CARDINAL was
not there to receive them. The waiting
minutes grew into an h our and he did not
appear. In vaiI did Cardinali's brother
in opera, Cherubini, sing to them. They
could not dine on an air however well
rendered. In vain did Vicini and
Claimant sound their sweetest notes.
Some of the guests had tasted since
morning so as to do full justice to the
dinner, and they refused to be comforted.
The guests went away hungry and
wondered where CARDINAL was. They
learned that he had suddenly sailed for
Europe the day before that set for bis
dinner. They heard, it seems, that a
suit for $4,000 damages was about to be
brought against the tenor and then went
searching for the cause.
When CARDINAL was in Philadelphia
last April with the opera troupe he put
up at TIE Lafayette Hotel, on Broad
street near Chestnut. He left his room
to go TO the Academy of Music a couple
of blocks away and hs left the door of
his room unlocked. His biggest dia-
mond was on his dressing table. When
CARDINAL returned the diamond was
gone. He tore his hair out by the hand
full and swOre in choice Sicilian that
every one in the hotel should he searched.
He engaged detectives. They were
Over-zealous and searched q number Of
New York ladies who had rooms near
CARDINAL, despite their protests. One of
the ladies thought her faiT name injured
and threatened the suit that, it is said,
drove the tenor so suddenly abroad and
robbed his waiting guests of their din
ners.
Other stories of the Italian singer have
circulated since his hurried trip. 1t is
reported that when he was in san Fran
cisco most estimable lady fell in love
with him. Her friends congratulated
both of them. When the San Francisco
season ended CARDINAL bade the lady
good,by, and told her that his engage.
ment ended with the company's. The
lady, il is said, took to her bed, pros.
trated by disappointment. New York
Journal.