The Washington times., 1920-01-11

vsss.
And b Caruse dsrshtsdf
Oh, dear, mol ~
And this d the strange story Of Carusos vsy unwsl
come nsw adopted sister.
or course everybody knows the great Caruso married
Miss Dorothy Benjamin couple Of years sgo--ths
charming daughter Of Mr. Park Benjamin, distinguished
lawyer and well known for many years in New York
social, financial and legal circles
fortnight before Christmas Mr. Park BENJAMIN
presented to his vc childrena unique holiday gift Mr.
BENJAMIN il seventy years old more, and his Ave chill
dren are oil Of quite mature years Mrs. Benjamin. the
aged lawyers wife, il invalid In . sanitsrium.
The Christmas surprise which Papa Benjamin planned
for the family was Q new sisteri Mr. Benjamin first
applied 10 the Surrogates Court Of New York for per-
mission to adopt as his daughter Italian immigrant
gir whose name il Anna Dolchi 80 the great Csruso
wss about to acquire sister, Italian girl some
thing Of singer-and yet neither Caruso his wife
nor any Of his wifes brothers and sisters pleased
No. nobody was pleased and the brothers and sisters
sid 20 in no uncertain words
When the elderly lawyer presented his plea before
Surrogate Cohaan for the adoption Of Miss Bolch there
was . vigorous opposition. The two sons and-three
daughters Of Mr. BENJAMIN protested Justice Cchaan
addressed himself to the elderly lawyer and asked him:
>"why do you wish to adopt this young womani"
Because my children disobedient and unhial,"
the lawyer declared with muck vehemence and feeling
II old and sick want some one TO take care
Of me, and this young woman will do 90"
Justice Cohssn turned the brothers and sisters and
ssked:
why do you protest asainst the adoption Of this
womanf''
Park Benjamin, Jr speaking for his brothers and SIS
ters, replied,
because we do not think she IL worthy to become
member Of our family
"Why notf' queried the Judge.
I'VE do admire her tastes her character her
lang1sse" ..u .,... =. u..,., ~.
.'we do not know much about this woman. That's
one Of our reasons
Il will give you three weeks which look into the
character and past history Of this and to collect
further facts to present to the court said Justice Coha
Ian adjourning the
little upset, but not discouraged by the turn Of
went to Wkesbarre in the State of Pennsylvania,
and accomplished what he had failed to accomplish in
New York. In Pennsylvania Miss Boich was quickly
made his legal heir and adopted daughter
But what had young Mr. Benjamin and his brothers
and sisters been able to find out about Mss Boch' Very
little, indeed
The earliest authentic information was when Mr.
Walter Benjamin brother of the aged lawyer who resides
in Yonkers answered advertisement for governess
for his young children. and Miss Boch arrived as an
applicant for the position
She was husky, healthy, good-natured looking
Italian girl. and engaged for the job For three
years she lived in Walter Benjamin e family. One day
when Park Benjamin and his daughter Dorothy (now
Mrs Caruso went to Yonkers to visit their relatives
they met the governess. Park Benjamin seemed much in
terested in her and when he learned that she sang
little and wanted to continue her study Of music he said
Wont You come to live with and continue your
studies in musicf"
The old lawyer explained that his wife was in.
valid and in q santarium and that all his children were
married and had homes Of their own except Dorothy
and Romeyn, and that there plenty of room in his
household
Would Miss Bolch comet Oh, yes
Before long the old lawyer discovered that among
Miss Bochs accomplishments was that of being very
good housekeeper In the Of time Caruso became
. visitor at the house. and his interest in Miss
Dorothy apparent BY this time Miss Bolchi was
thoroughly well established and had been installed
housekeepeIN For Caruso not at all
impressed by Miss Bolch and although both from
Italy and both musical they seemed to dislike each
other Mr. Benjamin noted this When Caruso asked
the old lawyer for the hand Of his daughter Mr. Ben