The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-12
Prima Donna, Wife of
Opera Head, Spending
Happy Summer on
Long Islands North
Shore

ShOre
A s one strolls along the delightful
n o a that runs in bewildering
curves toward all points OF the
compass from the Glen Head station
of the Long Island Railroad one sees
n modest letter boz affixed to a tree
by a gateway. The inscription on the
box reads IF. Aida" and seems to
Indicate TO the postman that he may
deposit there all the letters that come
for the prlma donna of the Metropoli-
tan Opera Company, Nine. Frances
Aida.
One goes through the gateway and
continues the stroll along "A roadway
too sophisticated to suggest the sim
pie life. More automobiles than horses
travel 1t, and even the trees lined up
on either side have a well groomed
appearance.
On for n quarter OF a mile or so
one goes before reaching the ut
buildings of the old Farnham estate,
now Nine. Alda's home. though she
H'A ~ 'NANN W 'he u t4lAN
for the time a tenant only.
THE price is reasonable" she SAYS.
a little d%oubtfully, when she is asked
about II, FOR there are fifteen acres
on h place and they only want
100000 for ii. but there is no hurry
about deciding. for | have a lease and
an option"
When her husband. Mr.. Gatti-Ca-
SAGA, started last spring for his an
nual European trip Nine. Aida had
already decided to spend her summer
here, Taking possession NJ the place
in March, she did not go outside thu
grounds for some weeks. Then she
developed a passion for automobi ing.
and selected a chauffeur who is RAPIDLY
making n record for speeding. He
faithfully carries out her idea of the
proper way To turn corners in the
road. and does IL on two wheels AL
most invariably.
Il watched him for a while" sh.
said, ant then. seeing how easy 4; was
10 run a car. | took the wheel myself
and ran II. lie sat beside me, ana |
could see that he was a good deal sur
prised, but he did not say Il word. and
drove that car over nifty niles WIKI
u making a mistake. Some NJ the
time we were going at the rate OF
forty-fve miles an hour.
1T is nothing at al to do" I said
and the next day I got In and took
the wheel again. II was "A perfect six
cylinder car when we started. but FIVE
minutes later II was a wreck. The
house we hit wasn't much better.
Since Yhap 7 10. bio, l.f,-st -.
face frightened with one Of those ap-
preciative smiles ut her friends are
familiar With, for among her gifts is 4
keen sense Of humor.
Moreover h has a ta,ent for econ
omy in the use Of words. making a
single II do duty in place Of a para
graph.
Mrs. Belmont wants me to give Il
!ete in aid ot the ~suffragists," she was
saying, and ! think | shall do IT," 2
Are you, then, a suffragist?" she
was asked.
NO was all she said. hut had she
talked an hour she could not have on
pressed her opinion more forcib.y.
This is the most peaceful summer
of my life" she said when she was
asked II she really enjoyed country
living or whether II was merely "A fad.
And so saying she proceeded 10 Illus
trate her idea Of peace 10y personally
conducting a tour Of inspection tha'
lasted over an hour, extending over IN"
grounds, through the wonderful Nd
mansion. along the shore front. down
to the boat landing and out in a row.
boat. ending with "A plunge in the
water and a swim back TO the nnd.r.
that served to exhibit her skill, in the
water.
Besides rowing and swimming she
had inside the hour raked ana pitched
hay, picked peaches and corn. plucked
flowers, exhibited with vast pride the
carefully cultivated kitchen garden
which she superintends personally.
She had also played the hostess in a
charming morning room and led the
way through a labyrinth Of pleasant
paths leading from arbor to arhor, each
more enticlng than the other,
"She is like this from morning till
night" said Virginia Brooks, who is
spending the summer as her guest.
she's doing something every minute
she is awake
ut is so restful here" said the prima
donna, that / feel as II | could stay
here always, I've always spent my
summers in Europe before, but this Is
much better"
doesn't il interfere with your sing
ing?" she was asked.
'Oh, no. | have La Fargo here every
day and practise faithfully two hours
each time he comes
rs there anything you don't do? DO
you ride"
mot much now. ! used to ride n
lot. and | keep a riding horse or two
here now, but ! prefer a ear now"
Then when one gets into the car
that Is waiting 10 go to the station
Nine. Aida waves "A genial farewell and
one hears her say TO Miss Brooks:
Come along to the kitchen | want
10 put up some preserves"
ATTIC Wy TruTNn DID