The morning times., 1896-12-17

Actor Richard Mansfield will have to pay
Actress Mary Sanders the uniucky sum OF
ST. 800, according to the verdict OF cir
cult court jury yesterday.
Miss Sanders sued for that amount on q
breach of contract last season and the
case was disposed of before Jndge Bradley.
incidentally the case afforded consid-
erable fun. 1t was developed that the little
actress, who is known in private life as
Mrs. Percy Winter, bad actually dared to
sit down in Mr.. Mansfield's very presence.
According to Manager Roderigues' testi-
mony, that wasan offense OF awful gravity.
He actually shuddered as he recalled it and
said 1t was the first time it had been COM
mitted.
Beau Brummel also called the little five
foot lady a liar, but that was an incidental
bit OF politeness Oh the part OF bis august
ness.
When Judge Bradley heard these things
he looked as if he would like TO see MIR.
Mansfield privately for Il few moments.
The actors absence nettied him. He asked
the cause and Mir. Roderigues, astonished
at his honor's simplicity in not understand
ing what "A trivial thing a Federal court
proceeding was to man who allowed no
one to sit i'll his presence, explained that he
was preparing the rehearsal of q new play.
His honor remarked:
DID NOT AWE HIS HONOR.
Mr.. Mansfield could have been here IL
he had wanted to. The court cannot await
Mr.. Mansneld's pleasure IN the matter.
Public business is much more important
than private affairs We will have to pro-
ceed with the case"
The trial developed several interesting
features, which were not altogether lack
ing in amusement. Manager Roderigues as
tonisled the jury when be told how MIR.
Mansfeld's greatness demanded from Miss
Sanders greater reverence than she ac-
corded him. Even the court smiled and the
lawyers enjoyed it immensely.
Miss Sanders was the first witness.
Her sty liSt blue coat and picture hat con-
traSted well with her pink complexion
and light hair. Miss Sanders told her side
of the affair straightforwardly and in a
DuSlneSS-like manner. In the main her
story was not contTadicted by the defense
which consisted mainly of r.citations as
to the lack OF reverence u the defendant
by Miss Sanders. She said that Mr.. Mans
field agreed 10 give her SO week for
the season OF S95, but that tile season
did not open until late and when she re-
! ceived her first envelope it contained
but $40. She spoke Co the treasurer about
1t, and he sent her to Mr.. Mansfield. Il
had already signed the pay book" said
the witness. Mr.. Mansfield soon after
came into the theatur. Miss Sanders was
sitting in chair when he entered.
SHE RAISED \ LAUGH.
''As did not arise he said to me rudely
| Get up, you do not show me proper
respect. If l were Sir Henry Irving oI
some other foreign star you would bow
before me To the ground.
The laugh that ran through the court
az Tnd rt
OF the affair caused the bailiffs to rap to
! order, and as soon as the merriment ceased
the plaintiff continued To tell how she
passed unnoticed her employers petulant
and illtcmpered remarks.
She uien unfolded TO him her grievance
but instead of rectifying the error he told
her She should have received $50 Miss
Sanders insisted on u strict compliance
with the agreement for $40.
Mr. Mansfield denied any such con-
tract" she continued, He said he had
| never agreed to give me that sum, and
when l again said he had, why, he said |
was a liar blurted out Miss Sanders,
getting red at the recollection OF the
| insult.
Attorney Colbert wanted to know her
| reply TO Mr. Mansfields uutburst Miss
| Sanders told the court that she was
| nervous, but nevertheless answered Mr.
| Mansfield that she was not a liar at all.
1t VIII be remembered that Mr.. Mansfield
denied this version of the affair last winter.
! He, however, admitted being angry at Miss
| Sanders.
| The scene was very stormy one,' COM
| mented the plaintiff as she concluded but
| / did not get any satisfaction from Mr.
| Mansfield. when / saw how excited he
was / left him and returned to Washing.
ton and consulted with my attorney, Mr..
Charles j. Murphy
THEIR SECOND INTERVIEW.
1t is known that the lawyer wrote the
! actor about his treatment Of the young
lady. From Mr.. Mansfield Miss Sanders
received n perfumed note, requesting heI
presence in New. York. No. intimation was
| given as to what reception would be ac-
| corded her. but she was not a all surprised
| on reaching the metropolis To be handed
her discharge papers.
| She again sought Mr. Mansfield, VIII,
this time listened to her tale of woe and
| politely said tn" discharge was a mere form.
| Legal differences among artists are
most unfortunate, but we will rectify this
| mistake
! Hethenarranged anew agreement ''saif
the witness, by which was to get $50
| a week, but should be allowed to look for
another situation, as no place could he
found for me in the company, owing to d
| change of plans. All was well for two
! Mr.. Mansfield again failed in his promise
| l come back to Washington and while Mr.
| Mansfield was in this city last winter suit
| was entered
The petition in the suit recites tina
81, 800 is due the plaintiff for the baIanc,
| OF the season ending June 10 An at
| tachment was made on the effects of MI
Mansfield but when he gave bond it wa
| released.
JURY WAS WITH HER
In outlining his side OF the case to tn
jury, Col. Hay said that Miss Sander
had failed to carry out her part Of tn,
| agreement by leaving New York and com
ing to Washington. Miss Sanders wa
the only witness on her side, and Manage
| Roderigues was the only representatiy,
Of Mr.. Mansfield outside of the COUNSEL
Mr.. Roderiques is pleasant and affahle
He has high regard for the greatness O
Mr.. Mansfield, whose name he uttered witt
| extreme reverence.
He said he was present at the Chestnu
Street Opera House in, Philadelphia wher
the scene described by Miss Sanders too
place Cross-eXamined by Lawyer Murph
the manager admitted that Mr. Mansiial
called Miss Sanders liar, but the witness
| thought the actor had been treated wit
no little disrespect Mr.. Murphy inquired
''InN what manner"
''She remained in the sacred chair O
the manager during the entire Interview, ;
was Mr.. Roderigues' serious reply.
The lawyer wanted to go further ant
asked:
''Mr Roderigues, what is your idea o
respect due Mr.. Mansfield,
''She should have remained standing il
the actors presence None of the com
pany are allowed TO sit in the manager
chair.''
The witness knew nothing lout the al
legged second agreement He did not know
that Miss Sanders insisted OF Going wit
Mr.. Mansfield's own company Ssd woul
not go with one OF his other companies,
After short deliberation the jury IL
turned verdict awarding the amour
L