Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-29
Nilsson's Hung r.
THE kye.l


Many years ago, when Nilsson was
urder The management Of Strakesch,
the company was playing in Columbus.
As Nilsson was not in the cast on the
last night Of the engagement, she, &C
companied by Max Maretzek, Madame.
his wife, and several other members Of
tie opera company, took the early
morning train fer Buffalo, their next
stop, expecting to arrive there that
night. A heavy snow-storm set in,
and the train moved but slowly, ow-
ing to the numerous blockades.
When they were within four miles
Of Buffalo 8 freight train ahead of
them was wrecked, owing TO broken
bridge. This, Of course, caused delay
Of several hours. The snow WAS still
falling heavily, it was night, and AL
though they were within sight of Bnifa-
10 il was impossible for a vehicle Of any
Kind to reach them. There was not
house Of any description within half
mile Of them, and, having had no sup
por, 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
tsmpers.
Max Msretzek, after ascertaining the
full particulars Of the wreck, and real
ling there was no immediate help for
them, resolved to make the best Of
it. lie always carried a little refresh.
ments in the way Of wine, cheese, and
bread in bis satchel, in case he should
grow hungry between meals. He there
fore improyised little table in the rear
of the car, with the assistance Of his
agent, and placed thereon a long roll OF
bologna sausage, huge slice Of cheese,
loaf Of bread, and large bottle Of
wine. lie invited the entire party
Nine. Nilsson included-about eight in
all, TO share his repast with him. They
were ell, 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 disdainful curl OF her lip,
she murmured, disgusting" and
sailed down to her seat, in the other end
Of the car, where, wrapping her
furs around her, she made a vain
effort to sleep. The rest of the
party cared little whether she ate
or not, and while resenting her
unlsdylike remark, they resolved they
would "fix her yet" Kind-hearted
Max Maretzek cut q slice of bread and
cheese, and laid them aside, together
with a piece Of the despised sausage
ard 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 be-
came extremely fidgety and restless.
Frequent calculations of discomfort fell
from her lips, and more than once she
was heard to remark to her companion
that she was nearly starved.
us there no place, no farmhouse,
where | can get something to eas?"
she asked of the agent.
a" II there was we surely would have
found it long ago. IL is an absolute
inpossibility for man to walk even a
hundred rods in this snow-storm, and
the rearest house is nearly a mile
away" be answered.
Presently, unable to bear her hunger
any longer, and becoming desperate,
she arose, and walking rather sleeplshly
down to the rear end Of the car, she
asked Max Maretzek if there was any
thing, a crust OF bread even. lett OF
their frugal repast. The qualification
ana satisfaction Of the other artists may
well be imagined when Max placed the
sausage, cheese, and wine before the
prima donna, aud the alacrity aud
astonishing rapidity with which she
dispatched every morsel was q tri-
umph they had not experienced Tor some
time. The next day, when Nilsson was
costly domiciled in her luxurious apart
ments at the Tiff House, dsintily pick
ing OF morsel Of tender chicken, she
sas heard to remark that during her
varied experiences as q public singer
she bad never eaten meal that tasted
so good and wholesome as that little
midnight lunch Of cheese aud sausage IN
q lonesome car on winters night.