St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-13
eliminates in Miss Huntington'S Eetire-
ment and $4,000 Damage Suit
by Manager Foster.
The Latter's Uncivil Garrulty-The Yer
sion of Miss Huntington and
Her Mother.
The Song Bird of Kalamazoo and
the Frozen Voiced Girl of
Paris Town.
Cape1 Unearths His Tra6ucers and i:
Going to Bring Several
Libel Suits.

ment of the latter from the company, and
suit by the former fer damages, recalls some
Incidents connected with the affair when
occurred during the companys late engage
ment in this city. On the opening night
the GLOBE critic entered the opera house
Just as Miss Huntington made her first ap-
pearance in Victor the Blue
Stocking" Now you will hear
her bawl," remarked Manager Fos-
ter to the GLOBE representative.
Upon being asked to whom his remark ap-
piled the cOrpulent manager pointed to Miss
Huntington and in a Sneering tone SAID:
- mean that song-bird from Kalamazoo.
Just look at her-there's Kalamazoo style
for you. She can't sing Bit" Surprised
to hear manager speak i'll such diSpar-
aging manner of one of his most illuStrious
stars. the GLOBE ventured the remark that
there was popular opinion that the 'Kal-
amaZOO song bird" was really the artist of
the company, whereupon the manager
manifested considerable indignation and de-
clared that she could not hold a candle to
De LuSSan, who, as he said was his prima
donna. Later on in the evening basket
of flowers was brought from the ladies'
reception room by an usher, who was hur-
rying along with it toward the fo0tlightS.
Miss Huntington was singing at the time,
and the flowers were intended for her.
Speaking to a crowd of gentlemen, who
were standing near by, Mr.. Foster re-
marked: Her mother buys them for her,
and pointed to the flowers that were being
passed up. These and similar disrespect-
fuI illusions to Miss Huntington convinced
the GLOBE representative that there was
bad blood between the manager and his
LEADING cuntralto, and an opportunity was
sought to interview the lady respecting the
matter.
MISS HUNTINGToN's VERSION:
Miss Huntington's statement was sub
stantially as follows:
Mr. Foster has treated me not only
gentemanly but brutality Still, do not care
to parade the matter before the public, as |
feel fully competent to protect myself and
my interest. When l engaged to sing for
Mr.. Foster it was for two years, and all the
conditions were explicitly stated in the con-
tract. l have performed every condition,
and intend to do so until my term expires.
There was no unpleaSantness last season.
Just before we started out this season MIR.
Foster came to see me and asked to have the
contract changed-wanting me either to re-
duce my salary or sing more nights in week
than my contract called for. I declined to do
either. That was the beginning of his bad
feeling toward me. Afterward he learned
L
and he came back to see me asking me to ex-
tend my contract for another year. This |
declined to do Then he manifested anger
ond flew into q rage. / told him that I would
ease him entirely from his contract with
e. but would not change it. This he de-
ined to do That is the secret of our present
Inpleasantness and l do not care to say
more"
''What is the feeling between you and Miss
De Lussan?"
G,;o CIA al
ways manifested good will for me and L am
sure that | entertain nothing else for her,
There is no quarrel between us. and if she
does become prejudiced against me am sure
il will be the result of Mr.. Fosters influence.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Fosters ungentlemanly
conduct toward me. / have never said an
unkind or dsrespoctful word to him. feel
most deeply the embarrassment of my posi-
ton. but / intend to MAINTAIN myeself-respect
and position as LADY, and TO fuIn the con-
ditions of my contract. That is all that can
Gay now"
THE OLD LADY HAS HER SAY.
But if it was all that Miss Huntington
had to say. it was not all the young lady's
mother had to say. The elder Huntingdon
who had been listening to the interview.
took up the thread of discourse where the
daughter had broken off. With flashing
eve and voice trembling with emotion, she
began:
If Agnes viii not talk I will. I'll tell you
the whole story. Agnes has told you the
story of the contract and Fosters effort to
get her to change it. There the trouble be-
gan. l have never been separated from my
daughter. l travelled with her last year and
there was no objection made. This season
when we started out Mr. Foster informed Ag-
nes that l would not be permitted to travel
with her Agnes Informed him that he had
no control over my actions and that / could
travel when and where [ pleased.
1t was her desire to have me with her. 1t
was our joint pleasure that [ should come
along. So here l am. After we had started,
Foster again notified her that I would not be
allowed to travel in the special Foster
is under contract to furnish special car for
his leading artists. Agnes told him that
under her contract she entitled to maid,
and if she chose to do so she could force me
into the car with her in that capacity. But
she did not choose to do so, as she preferred
that ! should not enjoy his spitality under
the circumstances; that l should occupy a
berth in another car at her Own expense. and
she would share it with me. He protested
against her leaving the car, he wanted to
separate US. and tried to compel her to re-
main. But she is girl of her own head and
had her way, and we travel separate from the
rest Of the company.
BUT THAT IS NOT ALL.
Foster tries to humiliate her in every con-
ceiYable way. He talks about her to strangers
in a most outrageous manner, knowing that
she has no opportunity to resent it or todefend
herself He seeks ever opportunity to
humiliate her the stage. Once when the
art .sts were called before the curtain he
made Lablache go in advance of Agnes, al
though she had not been on the stage for
fully fifteen minutes. Agnes resented it by
going to her dressing-room and refusing to
go on the stage until the audience finally
called her name, and she then went out much
to the chagrin of Foster. Another time when
De Lussan was taking the leading
role and there was call be-
fore the curtain Foster made Agnes
Rotirst, and had De Lussan slip OF 10 her room,
thinking that she would be called by name.
When Agnes went out, instead Of turning
and bowling to the audience, as is the custom,
she stood with her face to the entrance hold
fng her hand for De Lussan, and continued
TO stand in that position until De Lussan had
TO put in an appearance. That made Foster
mad. sure enough. Then again he has cut
some of the operas for no other purpose
than TO keep Agnes from singing some of
her best parts. On severa. occasions he has
put Lablache in the parts where Agnes scored
her biggest successes, and refused to let
Agnes sing just because he knew she would
ga. applause. He tried that in Buffalo, but
it created so much
DISSATISFACTION WITH TIE PUBLIC
that the manager of the opera house forced
him to bill Agnes in the operas that she had
formerly s1ng in. These are q few OF the in
dipnities that be has been heaping upon her.
It is absolutely uncomfortable. but Agnes has
nreserved her composure admirably and re-
trains from any exhibition of temper. She
always treats Foster pleasantly, no matter
what his conduct toward her may be"
rs the contract episode the only cause of
troubleY'
..RIess YOUR soul no. That is only part
of il. The great n ouble is Foster partiality
for De Lussan. He is crazy jealous of that
Girl. and he can't bear the idea of anybody
eIso in the comnanY gaining applause. 1t