The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-30

friends happened to drop in at the
Windsor hotel to see him that day, and
he began showing off his purchase.
This resulted in a little impromptu
musicale, during which Nicolini sang
the "Salve Dimorah," from Gounod's
Faust" Shortly afterward Patti came
into the room, and, when she heard
that he had been singing, gave him
quite little scolding, in her own
charming way, of course. for not hav-
ing sent for her to hear him.
NICOLINPs GREAT DEVOTION.
No enc could long be in PATHS en-
tourage without observing the mutual
devotion between her and Nicolini, and
this continued not only during the Pc
ROD or ten years when their relations
were more romantic than legal, but also
after they were formally married in 1885.
When Patti and Nicolini arrived here
Cor her first concert tour l was one OF
the newspaper men who went down te
interview her. AS she was introduced
to the group Nicolini stood few PAGES
behind her and bowed politely as she
inclined her head. This was his usual
attitude whenever an introduction took
place. He seemed naturally to keep a
little in the background, as a sort of
tacit acknowledgment not only Of her
superiority as singer but also as an
expression of his worship for her
To him she was not only the enc star
of the operate stage, but the one star
of his life. He was not only her devot-
ed admirer, but he also paid attention to
her many pets. She Travelled around
with regular train Of these-dogs, par
rots, hooking birds and canaries. Motto
ing that day On the steamboat a man
who was carrying a cage rather care
lessly, Nicolini ran over to him with
the exclamation, tsPrenez garde, mon
sieur, c'est lie Primer Prince was a
dove colored parrot Of which Nine. Patti
was especially fond.
AS DOCTOR AND COOK.
One of the features In PATHS career
has been the physical care which she
has always taken OF herself in order
that her voice might remain unimpaired
as long as possible. Much of this care
was due to Nicolini'S caution. He
watched over her regime almost like
a physician. He would not allow her to
speak in the morning until she had had
cup of chocolate, which he often pre-
pared with his own hands
The days when she was to sing he did
not allow her to raise her voice above
whisper, and he often cooked little
dishes for her himself, especially her
after opera suppers, to make sure that
they did not contain too much fat and
ed to her taste. And though these devo-
tior1s extended over so many years she
always seemed to find a new charm in
them.
One Of PATHS and Nieolinfs delights
at Craig-y-Nos was a beautiful little
private theater which she had built at
his suggestion. 1t was decorated in the
Italian style and the stage was con-
structed under the supervision of Sir
Henry Irving's had stage carpenter
There was an orchestra space for
twenty musicians, 300 seats on the floor
and room for eighty in the gallery
which was generally thrown open to the
poorer people of the neighborhood who
fairly worshipped Patti and Nicolini.
These two artists often appeared in per-
fGrmanceS at this gem Of a theater. 1t
was tremendously opened with a speech
by William Terriss, who was lately
murdered. Mr.. Terriss on this occasion
represented Henry Irving.
NICOLINPS SUPERSTITION.
Nicoiini was not without his super
stitions. Once when he and Patti were
entertained at dinner by Mr.. and Mrs.
Labouchere at Pope's Villa, TWicken-
ham, the unexpected arrival of Whist
Ter. the artist, made thirteen at table.
Nicoijni was so much disturbed by this
that as they sat down he handed a pieca
OF bread to one of the walters, with the
remark, Now fourteen begn to eat"
AS he and Patti, being divorced could
rot be married in their own church
Without a special dispensation, which
they were unable to obtain, they were
married il the little Protestant church
near Craig-y-Nos. After the ceremony
there were brilliant festivities at the
castle.