The sun., 1897-04-28
COLLAPSE OF A BENEFIT.
TIE Owe PROPOSED FOR MRS. An
BEY NOV ABANDONED.

This Result Due TO Rather Peculiar Cernbi-
nntiou or Circumstances surrounding the
Dcnent Given Recently nt tho Metropoi-
itan Opera House for Siiss KITTY Abbey.
1t scoms highly probable now that tho pro-
posed benefit for Mrs. Henry L. Abboy will be
abandoned. rs 1t is likely that abe will soon
leave for Europe Manager II. G. Miner was
anxious to give tho performance, and many Of
Mrs. Abbey's friends had volunteered to appear.
1t was certain that q strongly attractive pro-
granimo could have been prepared. But
1t seemed best to Mr.. Miner and Hor-
ACC MovickGr to give up oil idoa OF
the benefit, as Mrs. Abbey may at any time re-
covo from George Edwardos in London cable
gram requiring her presence there to take part
In ono OF his now productions. This may mako
1t impossible for her to DO in this country on tho
day tho benefit is given.
This is tho last chapter in a curious series Of
events. 1t was believed that Mrs Abbey, whose
present resources arc only her abilities and the
friendship OF ono or two managers hero and in
London, should have q benefit When the
preparations for the performance given last
week In the Metropolitan Opera House
were commenced the opera company was
in St Louis. cablegram was sent
thenco to Mrs. Abbey in London asking
II she would be ono Of the bencaciaries Of tho
performance. Mrs. Abbey says that she never
received that cablegram. As no answer came,
Maurice Grau and the other gentlemen inter
ested In the organization continued to work
1t, and. supposing that Mrs. Abbey took no fur
ther interest in the matter. proceeded to arrange
the benefit for Miss Abbey alone. Shortly before
1t was to take place Mrs. Abbey came to this
country to settle UP some business connected
with her husbands estate, and 1t was announced
that she had come here to take a share Of the re.
CeiptS In the approaching benefit
"A, As matter OF fact. Mrs. Abbey was notifed
would consent to Sem 9n Mboa fns
the fact to be known. and IL she refused to allow
her name to be used in the benefit announce
ascep. any share Of tho p profits unless
committee in charge Of tho affair. Then
Mrs. Abbey was assured that she would
Of the beneft But Il tkis letter never He came. fn
her generosity in handing over ali the money to
merely declined 70 share in the benefit after tho
It was known that her necessities were great.
and after while it came to the ears of Jean do
SSees s9S tn
her In a way she could accep. with any regard
for hor own dignity. He wanted Mrs. Abbey to
call on him. and she promised to do so. 1t was
In his power TO arrange the proceeds OF the bene-
AZ, and at the appointed time he waited for Mrs;
AUuty Nlslt nut buC never Came. AT InaU
time she was not living in the city. and 1t was
impossible for him to call on her. With that
episode all thought of her benefiting from tho
performance at tho Metropo itan came to an
end, and 1t took place entirely for Miss Abbey's
benefit
Mrs. Abbeys friends were still determined that
q performance should be given to help her out OF
her difficulties, Henry G. Miner offered the
Fifth Avenue Theatre, and said he would do oil
In his power to make the performance success.
Horace Mcvickar was working hard and
number Of prominent actors had volunteered 10
Every indication DOinted "A
full result in spite OF the lateness of the season.
Tho programme would have been exceptional
one. but Mrs. Abbey decided that as she
might be called at any time to London, it would
be best not to continue the preparations SO,
after the discussion and talk over the subject.
managers who had been in negotiation with
Mrs. Abbey had declined to allow any OF their
actors to appear. One OF these had made Mrs.
Abbey a large offer to act in one of his compa-
Mes but she had suddenl, left for Londo:. with
out giving him answer. and he was opposed
tn tha han