The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-02-24

Am man to cry about little money?
That amt my trouble. But here I am,
with my opera house built, and my post.
ers out for three weeks back, and ad-
vertisements and paragraphs in every
paper in the Union, and everybody on
their beam ends to get the first sight of
the great Russian prima donna Though
whether she's Russian, or Irish, or Amer
lean, tho devil only knows; it's just what
she's u mind TO call it), and my great
prima donna drops me u telegram that
she ain't coming, by Jupiter! A nice
figure she makes me cut, don't she? Here
I am. with public record of fifteen
years, and never once disappointed an
audience. or kept them waiting, or failed
to give them their moneys worth, and
now, after all my labor and planning
and contriving, this is the reward get
to be made fool of! The jewel reputa-
ton, that's what she's robbed me of! I'd
sooner she'd done mo out of u million.
But I'll be even with her, as sure as I'm
lingo. if have to send her an ounce of
dynamite in jewel easel"
"She's never been heard in this coun-
try, has shei"
"No, nor in England either. l don't
suppose there's another man besides me
in New York today that has ever heard
or seen her. She's kept herself on the
continent and sung for royalty and kept
herself out of peoples way. as if she
were royalty hersef-that's been her
game And first class game it is, too
when woman can afford to play it, as
she can. She never hollers for herself;
she lets the others do it for her. And
that's why the public will pay higher to
listen to her--if they could only get her
than to any other woman that sings.
and Travelled 5000 miles and spent
close on to two million dollars just so
they might have what they wanted, aad
this is how ! get lcft!'
"Can't you get any other"---
"Any other? Oh, yes: dare say; of
course! ] think | can see 'em when !
propose it! Why, they've been that
| jealous of this new woman, as they cal!
her, and of me building theatre for
her, and cracking her up to be the finest
soprano and the grandest singer in the
world, that when they hear she's sold
me they'll be ready to split 'emselves for
10y; that's what they'll be! And il they
could only get me to ask one Of EN- to
take her place, so rs to give chance to
say, Don't you wish You may get me?
do believe they'd split outright and be
done with it!'
you're confoundedly vulgar this
morning, Inigo," observed his friend
musingly. "They say success is more
trying than adversely, but | think the
reverse is true in your case. or course
! wasn't thinking of substituting Patti
Or Scalchi, or any of that caliber. They'd
stand on their dignity, naturally; but,
as your great Russian is entirely un-
known here, except by reputation, was
thinking He paused.
"Out with it, man, if there's anything
therer' exclaimed Gen. lingo impa-
tiently.
"By George, shouldn't wonder if it
could he done!' muttered Jocelyn, hall
to himself. why not? There's necessity
enough ON both sides"
"What's that?" demanded the general
an tell you what | want you to do,
Iniyo," said Jocelyn, throwing the butt
of his cigar into the fireplace, and resum
ing his hat II want you to finish put
ting on your clothes, and get yourself
into acomposed and respectable frame o.
mind, and then join me downstairs, ant
we'n go over to the club and have break
fast. I've had only cup of coffee thi
morning thus far"
"Have breakfast cried the genera
Indignantly SIS that all you have t,
proposeT
~No; not by good deal. Unless In
very much mistaken I've got schem
tkatll set You on your legs again, upse
all the rivals and make your great Rus
sian strangle herself for rage. But Tn
going to turn it over in my mind first
and then I'll let you into it in my owl
way. You came to the right quartz
this time, old fellow. But it isn't ever
man in the world, let me remind you
that's got Hamilton Jocelyn to advis
him."
"An have to say" returned lingo, a
he took his place once more in front O
the looking glass and selected anothe
neck scarf from the drawer, lis tina
whoever does Moses lingo good tur
never has any reason to regret it. That
all have to say at present. Well 6
into details when we've heard what til
good turn looks like"
"YoGll find me below in the readin
ROOM" said Jocelyn turning, with hi
hand on the door. You'd better max
your arrangements so that we can leav
town il necessary and be away all night
And, mind you, don't open your mouti
10 any human soul about what has hap
Pened. Everything depends on that"
~ guess I know how to hold m,
tongue anyhow" exclaimed the impre
sariO resentfully. But before he coult
say more the door had closed and h,
was alone. In the course of ten minutes
he finished his toilet and sailed forth
jingling his door key as he went.
''f he pulls me out of this scrape, by
Jupiter. I'll make his fortune" he mur,
INJURED tO himself rs he took the eleva.