Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-12


contract with M. Audran, the famous
French composer, involving 10000
francs, for a new opera, the conditions
being that she would only be entitled to
the benefit of it for three years-the pro-
prietary right reverting to the composer
at the end of that time.
Since Mr.. Eugene j. Wetherill, the
prima donna's husband, died-and the
circumstances OF death are singularly
alike in both caseE-Miss Abbott has
had more than usual amount OF
trouble, resulting from estate disputes.
The surviving relatives OF Mr.. Wetherill
were desirous of acquiring all the prop
erty, varying, according to different ac-
counts, from one million to two millions
OF ,dollars-left at his death, in which
object, of course, they were foiled. Two
wills had been made during the lifetime
of Mr.. Wetherill--one, on his part, Civ
ing all his share OF the common prop
erty to his wife, and the other, by the
wife, of similar tenor, in favor of her
husband. Wetherill was sagacious
man, and when he passed away left all
his business affairs in perfect order, so
that the keenest lawyer could discover
nothing to find fault with. Miss Abbott
made very liberal provision for her de-
ceased husbands relatives, but subse-
quently altered her intentions when she
found that there were no feelings but
those OF hostility on their part toward
her.
1t was Miss Abbott's purpose to erect
splendid mausoleum for herself and
her husband in Greenwood. Mr.. Weth-
erill, who died two years ago in Denver,
lies buried in the home of his birth, Glou-
cester, Mass, and from there his relatives
have opposed a fierce denial to the re-
moval of his remains, aided in this re-
spect by the law of Massachusetts,. The
determined little widow, however, ex-
pected to overcome all opposition in
time, as she doubtless would have done
had she lived. The form OF the mau-
soleum is copied after the duomo of the
grand cathedral at Milan. Gene Miss
Abbott's familiar way OF calling her
husbands Christian name), always
admired that splendid structure" she
said to gentleman recently in conver-
sation. II was married in Milan, you
know. Gene, who was then poor
drug clerk, and l poor girl studying
music in the grand city, used to spend
hours walking in its shadow of an even
ing, and he was never tired descanting
on its noble proportions, and especially
the beauty Of the dome. My mind re-
Cured to this when he died, and I re-
solved his remains and my own should
rest under tomb Of the same design, at
least"
1t is question, however, whether
this pious purpose will ever be carried
out. Death has conquered the strong
will and the warm heart that prompted
it; and, after all, it does not matter.
The dead rest well wherever they lie.
Neil Burgess owns one-fourth of all
the theatrical patents ever awarded in
this country.
Emil Haberkorn, Margaret Mather's
husband, is leading the orchestra at the
Duquesne theater at Pittsburg. He has
nothing to say about the reported
divorce, but as Mrs. Haberkorn is to ap-
p, ar at the theater in January, they
will probably meet.
The remains of Dion Boucicault were
inferred at Mount Hope cemetery. on
Friday, December 26th, in the presence
of Louise Thorndyke-B Boucicault.
Annie Pixley will shortly retire from
the stage, the reason given being a
much-needed rest. q
Maurice Barrymore has left J.. M.
AAAtL OAupouys uHO ICbuINo W VIC "A.
M. Palmer troupe. -
Efiie Ellsler promises a revival of
Hazel Kirke with Couldock and many
of the old members of the former cast
in the company.
During the carnival season, 80 near at
hand, ne fewer than forty-nine Italian
theaters will be without opera! This,
for Italy, will be something unusual.
Minnie Gale is said to receive the \
largest salary ever paid to leading
lady. She is with Lawrence Barrett
and has a four years contract with him.
Mrs. Agnes Robertson Boucicault
sailed ON the Majestic with her daughter
Nina, and will find awaiting her arrival
in London new play, written ex-
pressly for her by her son Aubrey, for
the simultaneous reappearance on the
boards of the famous Agnes Robertson,
as we'll as her two children.
The biggest stage in the world will be
the boast OF the Academy, New York,
when the alterations contemplated after
the departure of the Old Homestead are
completed Nelson Hall, the big struc-
ture adjoining the famous playhouse,
recently purchased by Messrs. Gilmore
and Tompkins, owners of the Academy,
is to be sacrificed for the increased
facilities. The depth of the great stage
will be 102 feet and it's width 246 feet,
covering more space than one-half the
theaters in the cOuntrV