The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-24
BERRI SEASON AT GAVE
SEEMS ABOUT TO END,

The Berri season at Uhrig's Cave may
close next Saturday night. The announce
ment came very suddenly: it was even
startling in its nature. and now there are
two questions: VIII the Cave remain closed
for the season? And why was it closed:
Frank McNeary. secretary of the uhrig's
cave Amusement Company. TO both Ques-
tons. replies: Il have nothing to say" And
Miss Berfi. the prima donna OF the Bern
company. says: Il don't know i thing.
Alter the performance last night Mr.. Ell
den said that he thought the differences
would be adjusted. and that the season
would continue with La Mascotte" next
week.
But this is known: That Monday night
the day the heat record was broken-be-
tween the second and third acts, Miss
Berri held ice TO her temples. and also held
d dripping chunk of ice TO her head.
While Miss Berri was applying the ice
time flew
The bugler called the audience back to
their seats from the refreshment tables
one of the old masters-or. perhaps, 1t was
Hot Time waltz from the "Old World.'
which would be sufficient to make 1t
classic.
Ten minutes passed.
The audience waited
The electric fans whizzed. There were
calls for tne curtain.
Down by the entrance the manager was
sitting. nervously twitching his fingers.
When almost fifteen minutes had passed
he hurriedy Went to the stage.
And then.
! Behind the curtain there was very des-
! perate little difference between the man
| ager and Miss Berri and Mr.. Mouan. 1t is
| said that the manager did not mince words.
and that he was not great resoecter OF
| persons, laying the blame with much stress
| upon the ice and MIR. Moulan.
| Mr.. McNeary will say absolutely nothing
| in explanation of his action in 50 abruptly
! and without notice 10 the members of the
| company terminating the season. But the
| fact is he will not say that the season
| is definitely closed; and it was remarked
| by employees of the Cave last night that
they won't have any time to so a-tiish!ng
next week.
The members of the chorus do not know
what to make of the matter. And they are
! afraid TO say just exactly what they think.
| Some of them think the managers action
| "horrid'' and some ''hideous." but most of
| them say that they like him, and that he
certainly has been good to them Several
members of the chorus very timidly said
| last night that they did not think Miss
| and then they suggested the weather.
1t is said Miss Berri would be welcome at
| Delmar Garden. Miss Berri has visited the
| garden, 1t is said, but Manager Southwell
denies that he has engaged her. However,
| Mr. Southwell is great admirer of the
| prima donna. who can hold the crowds in
| town through the hot weather. and he does
| not say that he would not like to have her.
| In fact last night. he would not deny that
there was something in the air.
morrow, maybe shall be able to say some
| thing definite to you" he said to reporter
| for The Republic. OF course. if Miss Berri
! should go to Delmar there would be Miss
| care of; but she would remain with the
| company, Mr.. Southwell says.
| Miss Berri said to reporter for The Re-
| public last night:
Il have nothing to say. have nc plans
do not know that l shall go to Delmal
Garden. All unkind rumors are ridiculous
they are so absurd"
l She may go to Chicago The last or this
| week, it ia said
And while she talked Mr. MouIan. wnc
was with her. interposed to explain. 81
suggested myself that Miss Berri try the
| ice on her head. 1t was SO hot"
| The attendance at the Cave has held VI
remarkably well for the weather. Las
night the Cave was full. Asked If The
weather had anything to do with closing
the season, Mr.. McNeary said:
THE weather never hurts the Cave,
| business
| Miss Berri's voice is not ~ good as 4,
was at the beginning of the season. nor is
she singing as well. This may be one OF
| the reasons contributing TO the present sac
| state of affairs. The red-slipper fame tina
has come to the prima donna through hel
persistent wearing of unpretty shoes will
gorgeous heels has probably hurt anc
helped business in equal measure. Mr.
Mouian is a funny comedian, who ought t.
| have a future II he will not write further
ballads The tenor. Clinton Elder. propose.
to go to New York soon. He may return
in the autumn to take up his residence here
as singer and teacher. Mr.. Elder has
good voice. much artistic appreciation anc
wife of Mr.. McNeary. has been very badl.
cashier Serpolette. for example, was GU
of the question.
Between II 80 and 1890 Monday night Mr.
the occasion of his birthday. At that tim
| neither Mr.. Moulan nor any of his guest
| mentioned the name CT McNeary or tn
possibility of differences of any sort.