The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-01
FRESH GOSSIP
FROM GOTHAM
The Franklin Syndicate Cleaned up
Five Millions.
PRESENTATION OF BEN HUR.
The Play is Well Received Barnum's
Nephew Sued for DNorcc-Ihc
Harpers Pulling Themselves
Together Again.

1891 900 His expenses, computed from the
record of the books for nine days, must
have been about sl3s.0Oo. which would
leave profit to the syndicate Of about
$4,000 When ne ran off, he left only
$500 behind. The police Of the precinct
in which the "syndlcates' headquarters
were situated think that an estimate of
$4,000 as Aiillers clear-uD for the time
he was I'm business would Doe too low.
They place 10 at between SIW0OW and
5000 600
MRS. BARNUM SUES.
Mrs Sarah A. Barnum Is suing her hus-
band, Phllo r. Barnum, Tor divorce. The
husband is nephew 20 the famous show
man. Mrs. Barnum testified that her
husband had beaten her but this Mr..
Barnum stoutly denied. lie stated that
his wife was nervous, bad tempered, of a
jealous disposition and constantly nagged
and worried him about his women friends.
Often when walking I'm the street with
her he said. she would publicly accuse
him of flirting with, some woman they
passed ON one occasion she struck him
in the face. He said she often followed
him about
Mrs. Barnum denied that she struck her
lowed him about i'm the streets.
The Judge reserved his decision.
CENTRAL PARK 100.
A number Of newly-imported animals
have been added 10 the Central Park
100. The consignment consists of pair
Of African leopards, a young lion, pair
Of ostriches, three antelOpes, a bearded
vulture. two cond0rs, twenty swans and
female polar bear.
The polar bear was the most interesting
animal. The cross old male bear who
lost mis- mate two years ago and whose
quarters she is 90 share. was driven up
on top OF his cave while the newcomer
vas being put in the enclosure.
lie joined the other as soon ass the bars
were down and the TWO rubbed noses.
which seemed TO be- their way of getting
acquainted The newcomer then took
bath and made Acquaintance with the
two grizzlies in the adjoining compart-
ment.
The old polar bear was anxious to be
friendly, but the newcomer took more
Of a fancy To the bigger of the grizzlies
next door and snapped and growled at
her companion.
THE HARPERS' TROUBLE.
The Harpers will soon have a meeting
with their creditors and IS is believed
that the creditors will be- lenient.
The periodical publications of the house
will be- continued, with the exception OF
Literature" I'm its American form. The
firm will probably return to It's earlier
policy. that of importing ana imprint edi-
ton of this English weekly. The editor
Of Literature i'm this country, John
Kendrick Bangs has assumed the edi-
torship OF the Weekly. No editor Of the
Bazaar has yet been appointed to sue
coed Mrs. Sangster.
The circulation Of the Monthly. Presi-
dent Harvey says has been favorabIy
affected by the reduction of price An
annual reduction of $4,000 in The eX-
penses of the house has also been ef-
fected, chiefly by reducing salaries. Mr..
Page and Dr. Findiay have joined the
sstan of the Doubleday q Mcclure COM
pany and from that firm may be eX-
pected the promised encyclopaedia and
the new 10 cent magazine.
President Harvey states that the North
American Review Will not De added go
the publications Of Messrs Harper ~
Brothers, but Will remain am independ-
ent enterprise Modern machinery Will
be substituted for the old fashioned Har-
per plant. and the saving thus effected
will be large
SHE WASN'T POISONED.
An autopsy yesterday by Or. Charles
Wuest. Coroners physician Of Brooklyn.
on the body Of Mary Glavin, The bride
of Joseph Rugus, who died early on Mon
day morning at her home, PA north Sixth
street. Williamsburg. eleven hours after
she had been married. showed that death
was probably due to acute nephritis and
not TO any poisonous substance.
BEN HUR' on THE STAGE.
The presentation Of ben Hur" az The
Broadway theatre last night was q sue
cess. The sun says Of the play:
THE story of Ben Hur. as presented
In the play. introduces him in the roof
garden of his house overlooking Jerusa,
lem, where by the treaChery of Messiah
he is bereft of his brother and sister.
and condemned TO servitude in the gal
leys He is next seen a slave at the oar
on the war boat Of Arrius. whom he
saves from death az the hands OF pirates.
and afterward from drowning. For this
service he is adopted as a Roman. He
uses his freedom To return home I'm quest
Of his missing relatives, and does not
lind them. but meets and loves Esther,
daughter Of the steward OF his estates,
and learns that his enemy. MESSIAH, IS
in training at Antioch for the chariot
races lie goes to the Grove OF Daphne.
and there by saving two persons from
the wheel Of Messala's vehicle, he earned
as a reward the opportunity TO drive
Sheik Ilderim $ Arab horses in the races.
While awaiting the contests, he eucoun-
tiers and succumbs TO the wltchery of
Iras. the Arabs daughter. and also
learns Of the advent and acts Of Christ
He next defeats MESSIAH, IN the race
after which he goes back 20 Jerusalem
discovers his mother and sister among
the lepers, and becomes a follower anu
champion of Christ, by whose miracle
his afflicted ones are healed. me sloly
of him ends with his betrothaI WIN
Esther. The selection Of EPISODES u
iudcious for the purpose OF making
play TO appeal as this one surely VIII,
TO all kinds of readers OF the novel a"u
as well TO those who have never teau II
at all This is not TO say thal 'he p"'e
is as direct. coherent and well-roundei as
though IL were not made up OF episodes
from a long book, but It Is cleveriy COM
messed II uses the language OF the novel
as far as possible. and 1t maintains the
characterization distinctly.
n was the chariot race Which every
bodv awaited with GREATNESS curiosity.
when the sound OF the big treadmisls
was heard behind the front scene OF the
exterior of the circus the excitement of
exnectaney became intense. Suddenly
,he I,ghts were lowered. and when they
were trned on again the chariots OF
MESSIAH and Ben Hur seemed 10 be In
q NOT neck-to-neck race over the track
behind them flying steeds. Its realism