Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-05-29

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am a woman and an artistic, ana III
unfortunate predicament l can hope
for neither the courtesy that is due my
sex nor the sympathy that Is essential
to my art.
"The excuse of Adam is still potent.
1t Is believed that l tempted Signor
Perugini out Of his matured bachelor
hood to eat the fruit which has turned
to dead sea apples on his lips. Perhaps.
shall deny nothing that is already as
sured In the minds of those who do not
know, who never can know, the exact
circumstances that induced me to take
this mistaken step which l am now
compelled to retrieve.
but as the particulars cannot be
made clear at present, nor in the divorce
court. l wish to offer certain extenuat-
ing matters in evidence before the pub
lie, to whose entertainment l have de-
voted nv efforts during fourteen years,
and for whose approval / shall always
be faithful in endeavor. Versatility Is
so rare an accomplishment that few
people win distinction in more than one
object in life. l nave had greater than
nv share OF professional success, less
than my portion Of that happiness
which is a woman's prerogative.
JUST LIKE OTHER WOMEN.
However she may demean herself on
the stage a singer is entirely human in
private life. She has her likes and dis
likes, her foibles, 6ne impulses and am
bitions, similar TO those which direct
the career Of any woman in the audi.
ence. 1 believe that no eminence OF
achievement in public can compensate
for the loss OF the home and It's friend
ships, its affections and refinement. A
woman who possesses husband whom
she loves and respects is much happier
than one who wins applause on the
stage and has no companion TO share
her triumphs or comfort her In disap-
pointment when the curtain has fallen
and the performance is over. But how
ever well l have succeeded in my art, ]
have been singularly unfortunate in the
happiness which is as dear TO me as II is
prescious to every woman.
My first marriage was an error
which has kept repeating itself most
miserxbly ever since. / was welded at
Is to a man much older than myself and
of wholly dissimilar nature. | advanced
beyond and separated from him. The
incongruity of the union is proven by
comparison of his present position In
music and that which / have won.
My second marriage was congenlal.
Nv husband was an artist, composer
of ability and with tastes entirely in
unison with my own. We were very
happy together and the ambition OF
our lives was that be should write OPP
eras which l could perform. This was
an ideal union. which lasted for three
years without cloud to mar the perfect
sunshine of felicity. But one day my
husband arrived in England to make
arrangements for my season in London.
He was Immediately arrested on 9
charge OF bigamy. The shock OF know
ing that he had another wife and that
our union was illegal was very great. L
obtained a divorce and have never seen
him since.
DECEIVED AS TO THE sIGNoR.
''No woman needs The protection OF .
husband so much as one who has earn
ed reputation In comic opera. However
assid uous we may be in our devotion 10
art, 1t is the fashion OF the times TO
make ligh: of the singers OF light music.
Realizing this fact listened with an
attentive ear to the overtures OF SigDor
Perugini. l was attracted 10 him by
what seemed to be his spirituality. be
appeared TO be an ideal man. gentle
man and one whose every
instinct was toward art
suppose that l was hypnotized. / can
explain it by no other argument After
eight years of loneliness / fancied that
| had found q sympathetic companion.
His friends, Nine. Lillian Noadica,
Mrs. Agnes Booth aud many others,
were constant In their praises OF him
and their congratulations 10 me. The
night before our wedding i sat many
hours meditating grayely over the step
was about TO take. But the eulogies
of lis friends and the grace OF bis man
ner finally overcame my better judge
ment and so we were married.
without aIluding to tie matters that
can be more properly discussed By my
LAWYERS than myself. 1 wish to explain
certain circumstances which must ex-
cuse, IL not condone, my inability 70
further recognize as . husband one who
has forfeited all claims TO that title 4
..Allow me TO preface this statement
by declaring nv belief that when wo
man marrIes man who Is her superyf
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