The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-03

I tatuated, marry, grow weary OF maui
mony, separate or secure divorces. Most
times separate. For professional reasons
their union is kept secret. Divorce pro-
ceedings would indulge that secret. Sep
aration is easy and popular. Therefore
many players believed 20 be single, are
welded For this reason outsiders run
risk OF oigamy in marrying theatric per-
formers, for an unsupported wife or hus-
band may pop UP at any moment. like
Enoch Arden, but with one eye to black
mail Such fears do not terrfy actors.
They marry when and whom they please
in the theatre. and philosophically relin-
quish their claims when an awkward
past knocks at the door.
Lillian Russell, having dismissed her
first spouse, Braham, took Soloman 10
husband. Discovering that Soloman had
Il lawful wife in England she turned him
out and married Perugini. Perugini also
was a disappointment to her, so our
prima donna abandoned him, and at pres
ent she is neither wife, maid nor widow.
Ellen Terry has had four husbands. one
OF whom happily is dead so she can claim
to be a widow The fortunate defunct
was a good actor. His name was Kelly.
He was a homely man. He went to his
rest in perpIexity over the problem of
whether he was a married man or a
Mormon.
Nine Nordica's first husband went UP
in balloon and disappear CO He may
come down some day to claim his wife.
in which predicament what is to become
o, her present spouse Zoltan Dohm?
A famous and fascinating actress of
international reputation has two children.
Having arrived at years of discretion.
they approached their mother anxiously
in this fashion; Mamma, you have had
several husbands yet we bear your maid
en- name. We would like, if you don't
mind, to know our real title" Certainly,
my children" said this loving parent
come with me and we shall decorate
his grave together, and she took them
to a cemetery. Finding mound on
which there was no tombstone, she sat
down upon it and wept copiOusly. Here
is your fathers grave, sobbed she. But
there is no headstoner cried they.
True" said she. He was very mod
est man and often declared to me-'A1y
dear. I am nobody you are everybody.
Let me be buried in a nameless grave
aid known to history as the harry man
who was once yolr husband. That my
children was your father. Shall I not
respect his wishes ?"-and to this day the
young people do not know their rightful
name. Yet it was only last winter that a
wealthy and respected citizen Of New
Yory told the Press man that, having
lived a bachelor all his life. he never
had seen any woman with whom he could
be truly happy in matrimony, except this
actress.
j. the matter could be 10 )k-d into care
fully it might be found that. actors ard
actI esses keep marrying over and over
again without regard to the law. 1t is
frequent habit of English pIa 5ors coming
to this country. who believe after the
fashion of Mr.. Solomon. that nothing will
be thought Of it, and in this argument
proceed to take another wife or husband.
Players have little sense of the solemni-
ty of the obligation If anybody COM
planned of their conduct in this matter
the law might take told of them. No
body does. The discarded wife secures a
settlement or triAe of alimony, the dis
carded husband finds another wife.
Last year an English actor informed
this writer that he was about to be mar
ried to a welI-known actress. But you
told me only month ago that you had
a wife in London" well, I have ar
ranged matters with her" And so they
were married.
sso,,,a wars aeo IN Enolard t1,a T1rass
man was invited to the home of newly
married couple Both were actors. the
husband romantic hero the bride a
comic opera beauty. Since that time both
have appeared with success in New York.
but the husband had a new wife, the
wife a new husband: How is this?" in
discreetly asked the Press man. BY
mutual arrangement" they said non
chalantly. Il" said the bride, decided
that I would be happier with a singer
who understood my art. Il" said the
actor. decided that would like a wife
who did not belong to the theatrical pro-
fession." And so they were married. Ex-
traordinary people.
I have a canker worm IN my heart"
said an actor not long ago TO this writer.
L love a lady in your country, but I
have a wife in my own. The only way to
manage the matter is to settle down in
America" So he has taken out his pa
pers. Object matrimony.
IL is not very actress who has the per-
sistent resolution Of Mrs. Manten When
she became famous her husband went of
with his leading woman, divorced her
from her husband and married her. Mrs.
Mantel said nothing but sawed wood.
She put her case into the hands of a law
Yer. secured an allimony judgment against
her arrant spouse, and barred him from
New York State. 1t was in this city, as
leading man for Fanny Davenport, Pal
mer and star of the Lyceum that he won
his reputation. He fought the matter
tenaciously for eight years. but his wife
held on to her rights grimly. with the sat
isfactory result that Mr.. Mantell has had
to pay arrears in alimony in order to be
allowed TO return TO the scene OF his early
triumph.
Actors. however, ind few such disas-
tiers rs followed that unhappy player.
Marriage is easy. divorce Is easy. separa-
ton is easy. The theatric loves are elias
tic. When they tumble down, barring
few dents. they can be set up again as
good as ever.
How many husbands have fallen to the
lot Of Rose CoghIan and sadie Martinez?
Who cares? Those admirable creatures
are happy with their present choices. Mr..
Sullivan ard Mr.. Nethersole.
Yet it does not seem TO be the straight