Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-19

Why the Magician Cannot Keep His
Engagement Here Tonight.

W ny s"S NAA9ACAun SuhhOt NeeP
Engagement Here Tonight.
The announcement was made here this
morning that Prof. Hermann the pres
tidigitateur. would not arrive in Washington
in time to make his appearance on the
stage at Albaugh's tonight, for which he
has been billed. This announcement was
made on the strength of a telegram Ie-
ceived from Prof. Hermann, which offered
no explanation. The reason for his nom
arrival. however, has come from New
York.
The professor, according to the New York
Herald. is in the hands of a sheriff. or rath-
er, what Is quite as bad, that official has
taken possession Of all his stage property.
Late Saturday a deputy sheriff levied upon
the stage effects of the Hermann company
to satisfy judgment for 5000, obtained
by default some time ago by Lawyer j. j.
Frank. The trouble grows out or a legal
complication. which resulted from disas-
trous speculation Of Hermann in 1871,
when he sunk about $l2l, 900 In an effort TO
establish theater In Brooklyn. FRANKS
bill Is for legal services in securing ute
to the property on which the theater was
to be erected Hermann refused to pay on
the ground that Frank was in part re-
sponsble for the complication about tlties
that prevented the completion of the build
ing. Frank obtained a judgment ny de-
fault while Hermann was out of New
York, claiming that the defendant purpose
ly dDSenteu nlI1lSell. f1eTTIIldHi, OH the Sob-
trary, asserts that Frank worried him with
adjournments and then pushed the suit
while he was off on a trip. Supplementary
proceedings followed, and 1t was developed
that Hermann had sunk in unfortunate
speculations $45O,OOO Of his own and 100000
of his wife's fortune. He claimed that he
then transferred all his property to her,
and that he is now under contract TO APP
pear under a salary until she Is reimbursed
for her losses.
Frank recently succeeded in securing a
reference for the case, but at one of the
hearings Hermann failed to appear and
Frank went before Judge Pryor and Sc
cured an order declaring Hermann in con-
tempt. The latter, upon his return to the
city, appealed. and upon his explanation to
Judge Pryor the order was vacated. The
judge at that time ruled that If the refer
ence was not concluded by last Friday
night the entire proceedings should be ad-
Journed until next May, so as not to inter-
fere with Herrmann's engagements.
Notwithstanding this order, Frank en-
deavOred to collect on the judgment by de-
fault. Herrmanns attorney Is of the opln-
ion that Frank has himself shown con-
tempt of court in this proceeding, as the
referee, in accordance with Judge Pryors
order, has adjourned the case until the LIST
Of May. Frank was obliged to give bond
for $4,000 before the sheriff. to whom
these matters were explained, would II O.
coed with the levy on Saturday night.
Hermann claims he can easily prove that
his wife is sole owner of the property that
has been attached, and in that event, he
says, he will sue in heavy damages. Until
the case Is settled, all of Herrmanns stage
effects will be in the hands Of the sheriff,
and he will be unable to take the road.