The sun., 1903-08-16
1--we TOPICS ABOUT TOWN.


club was announced. He was unknown
to. nine out of every ten members. Then
II" was learned that he was the wealthy
son OF a wealthy father.
Few people ever thought he'd get in
said one OF the members in discussing the
election OF the new candidate "and have
even heard that he felt worry uncertain
himself. Il know he was dubious. was
the answer, "but he's sport under all
circumstances. He bets the most influential
member OF the committee on elections
81 900 to 500 that he would never be elected.
But he did get in all right and paid his loss
like 4 man."
Drina De Wolfe, whose engagement to
Frederick Gebhard is again rumored, re-
turned inconspicuously from Europe last
week, and it was not known that she was
in this country until she appeared at Sara
toga with Mr.. Gebhard.
1t has been said by Mr.. Gebhard's friends
for six months that he was eager to marry
her so soon as she was willing to abandon
a career on the stage. Mr.. Gebhard has
been unremitting In his attentions ever since
he met Miss De Wolfe at the lamented play
house conducted by Mrs. Osborn. Mr..
Gebhard was financially Interested in that
enterprise, although that fact was not
made public, and It was his final refusal
to put up another cent, even for the pleas
ure Of seeing Miss De Wolfe on the stage,
that caused 1t to close.
That young woman Is said to be too
much Interested in her profession to con-
slider any matrimonial offers seriously.
After her divorce from Charteris De Wolfe,
q younger brother OF Elsie De Wolfe. who
had educated him carefully and generously,
that young man, who was only %. went
to South Africa and has not been heard OF
since by any OF his relatives.
Drina De Wolfe, whose maiden name
was Waters, was educated in Paris. where
her grandmother now lives. From her
the young actress will some day inherit
fortune.
One Of the luxurious hotels near New
York, built as an ornament.to the neighbor-
hood rather than a source Of profit is to be
converted to an unusual USE II has been
engaged as the headquarters of famous
school for years located in another part of
the country and since the death OF it's founder
a year ago divided by disputes as to future
policy. The pupils and teachers Of the
old school are to emigrate next autumn
to this hotel.
All doubt as to the temperance Of Jean
de Reszke and his brother here next season
has been settled by the announcement that
these two singers are to be heard next
winter in Russia. This will be the first sea
son in many years that neither Of them has
come here, and IL will be the first time
in seven years that they have appeared in
Russia.
When they went there last Jean de Reszke
organized a company OF German singers
for the purpose Of introducing the Wagner
opera in Russia. The plan was not great
financial success. although the aristocracy
trn ,p,tan ,x,e hnA kapy, nd
at its conclusion Jean de Reszke was deco
rated by the Gar. On this coming visit
he is to make no such musical propa ganda.
but will take part in the performances
at the Russian Imperial Opera House,
where he will be allowed to sing in French
Fl. A. Andrews, Assistant General APP
praiser OF the Port of New York. says that
in the last three or four years about s7OO.O
worth of automobiles have passed through
the Appraisers Office each year. He says
that the import ations were at first chiefly
from France, but that of late a German
machine has sprung into favor.
All of the machines which are imported
are run bv gasolene.T said Mr. Andrews
mo electric machines pass through the
Custom House. The machines range In
value from 2.500 to sis;5oo. and in horse
power from to 10. The 90 horse power
ones are the most frequent arrivals of late.
The duty on them is Is per cent, but the
importer has the privilege OF importing
the wooden body separately from the
chassis. in which case the duty Ia only
- per cent. on the body. We pass on from
six to dozen a week"
Seashore bathing establishments that
have added steam rooms to their equip
ment have found that the outlay has been
more than repaid by the increased patron
age. In the places that have installed steam
rooms all the comforts Of a Turkish bath
are added 10 the surf bathing. They have
swimming pools Of fresh water as the last
over the simple shower bath have attracted
many bathers.
Sunday afternoon orchestral concerts
will be a feature of New York s next musical
season. The resuscitated Symphony So
ciety, which Walter Dsmrosch will conduct,
Ia not going TO appeal 10 the public as a
rival OF any existing orchestra. nor will it
meet the present organizations on their
own grounds. It's concerts will be cheaper
in price to the public and will have a more
educational purpose than those given at
present,
Sunday afternoon concerts are not a
novelty The crowded musical season
made II necessary two years ago to utilize
that time. Sunday afternoon is the time
of the classical concerts in Paris and the
plan may be successful here.
The destruction of the Bleeoker Building,
one Of the landmarks Of old Greenwich
village, has just been completed. It stood
at the corner of Bleecker and Morton streets
and was built originally in ls45 as the Green
wich Village Theatre. The Original
Minst rels" appeared there, and a town
crier went around with large bell to herald
their advent. 1t ia said that anti-sla very
meetings we're held there before the war.
The building has been used for everything
from q synagogue 70 the Republican head
quarters of the old Ninth Assembly district
The neighbors say that at some time or
other Tflden. Hayes, Piatt, Blaine and
Mckinley spoke there.
The American elms that arch over the
sidewalk on Fifth avenue for the entire
length OF Central Park are receiving a
dressing and combing at the hands Of Park
Department employees. Many dead
branches are being clipped off, removing
a tangle of dried-up foliage This prun-
ing process la made now in view OF early
fall storms. The foreman in charge OF
the work said yesterday that no bugs,
beetles or insects of any kind have troubled
the elns this year. AThey are perfectly
healthy, " he said you gee a good many
yellow leaves, but when they get their
second sap, as we say, they will come out
green again. This is the first season for