The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-01
NELSON'S HUNGER.
The Great singers Midnight Lunch
OF Snusnge ana Cheese,

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Many years ago when Nilsson was
under the management of Strakosch,
the company were playing in Colum-
bus. AS she was not in the cast on
the last night of the engagement,
she, accompanied by Max Maretzek,
Madame, his wife, and several other
members OF the company, took the
early morning train for Buffalo, their
next stop, expecting to arrive there
that night. A heavy snow storm set
in aud the train moved but slowly
owing to the numerous blockadts s.
When they were within four miteS of
Buffalo freight train ahead OF Oh EN-
was wrecked owing to a broken
bridge. This, of course, caused a
delay Of several hours. The snow
was falling heavily, it was night, and
and although they were within four
miles OF Buffalo, it was impossible for
vehicle of any kind to reach them.
There was not a house Of any de-
scription within half mile of them,
and having had no supper they were
naturally very hungry. To make
matters worse it was very cold in the
car. Nine. Nilsson, as may well be
supposed, was not in the best of tenn
pers.
Max Maret9ek, after sscortaining
the full particulars Of the wreck, and
realizing there was no immediate
help for them, resolved to make the
best oft. He always carried little
refreshments in the way Of wine,
cheese apdsbread in his satchel, in
case he should grow hungry between
meals. He therefore improvised
little table in the rear of the car,
with the assistance of his agent, and
placed thereon long roll Of bologna
sausage, a huge slice of cheese, loaf
OF bread and large bottle of wine,
He invited the entire party-Mme
Nilsson included-about eight in all,
to share his repast with him. They
were all, with the exception of the
great singer, only too glad to accept,
and lively though hungry party
drew around the board. Nine.
Nilsson gave one look at the cheese
and sausage, and with a disdainful
curl of her lip, she murmured, dis
gushing" and sailed down to her scat
in the other end of the car, where,
wrapping her furs around her, she
made vain effort to sleep. The rest
of the party cared little whether she
ate or not, and while resenting her
unladylike remark, they resolved
they would FIX her yet" Kind
hearted Max Maretzek cut a slice OF
bread and cheese and laid them
aside, together with a piece Of the
despised sausage and glass of wine,
and after the rest of the company
had eaten they made preparations
for their nights rest, but not to
sleep. They meant to watch Nilsson.
About an hour after she became ex-
tremely fdgety and restless. Ere
quent calculations of discomfort fell
from her lips and more than once
she was heard to remark to her
companion that she was nearly
starved.
rs there no place, no farm house
whore / can get something to eatP'
she asked of the agent.
"lf there was we surely would
have found it long ago. 1t is an
absolute impossibility for a man to
walk even hundred rods in this
snow storm, and the nearest house is
nearly mile away" he answered.
Presently, unable to bear her hun
ger any longer, and becoming desper-
ate, she arose, and walking rather
sheepishly down to the rear end Of
the car, she asked Max Maretzek if
there was anything, a crust Of bread
even, left of their frugal repast, me
qualification and satisfaction of the
other artists may well be imagined
when Max placed the sausage, cheese
and wine before the prima donna,
and the alaerlty and astonishing rap
idity with which she dispatched every
/ morsal was a triumph they had not
experienced for some time. The next
day when Nilsson was costly domi-
ciled in her luxurious apartments at
the Tiff House, daintily picking at
morsel of tender chicken, she was
heard to remark that during her va
ried experiences as public singer
she had never eaten a meal that
tasted so good and wholesome as that
little midnight lunch of cheese and
sausage in lonesome car on win
ter's night.
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