The Washington times., 1920-02-08
Irresistible Fascinations of Fifth Ave,
Dressmaker, with Four Sweethearts, Just
Like the Heroine of the Play, Bring on
Complications Which Puzzle the
NJ :s%s. : ; Courts to Straig ghten Out

A N ingenious playwright worked out
a the amusing idea of fascinating
q little dressmaker who was getting
men into, complications because of her ir-
resistible charms. He called the play
Mile. Modiste," and FRITZ Scheff was the
charming little heroine. -.
What the playwright imagined has hap
pened in real life The destinations of
Mile. Lucille Martinieri, Fifth avenue
modiste, have resulted in set of compli-
cations which the New York courts are
patiently trying to untangfe.
The comic opera was written by Victor
Herbert and the late Henry Blossom and
ran for more than year at the KniCker-
booker Theatre. Miss Scheff came to 1t
fresh from grand opera at the Metropoh-
tan, where they affectionately called her
"the little devil" She played the role of
Fiji.
Fiji" so a review of the play goes, was
powers" The description would seem to
have been written to fit Mile. Lucille Mar
tnieri, of Fifth avenue, New York.
Eff was the one and only girl in the
shop" So runs the review. So,. also,
it was at the shop Of Lucille Martinteri
If there were other young women in the
shop it mattered not-Lucille was the
whole thing. Probably some Of them we're
charming. But every one seems to have
forgotten them. Not even their names are
recalled. Lucille was ''the only girl in
the shop"
Fii had many admirers. Among them
were an army officer and wealthy gen.
tleman." One might truthfully say ditto
Lucille" For Lucille Martinieri had many
admirers. Young men poured into and out
Of her shop in a gallant stream. They
were officers, wealthy men, mere gentle
men.
Fiji" so run the memories of those who
saw the opera, was amiable to all her
suitors, but loved only the captain. Her
prototype in real life, Lucille, was amiable
to her admirers, but married an English
officer, About the admirers of the comic
opera heroine and the heroine Of Fifth
avenue revolved plot and counter plot
Had not Fif been bewitching and moro
than something of a flirt there would have
been nothing to hold an audience interest
ed all the evening in the Victor Herbert
operetta. Had not Lucille been bewitch-
ing and good deal of firt there would
have been no opera parallel Of the comic
opera to hold the perplexed' attention OF
the New York courts.
FIJI COuStlJuleu a Shah amy
of all nations! SO with Lucille OF Fifth
avenue She had in her train a wealthy
man from Holland. He corresponds to the
wealthy man" of the Herbert opera.
There is an English officer and there is an
American business man. Also there Is a
man Indigenous to the United States, but
now of Brazil. All have laid their hearts
before the dainty high.heeled boots OF the
Fifth avenue modiste. Most OF them COM
plain that she walked over those hearts
and crushed them. Quite as Fifs suitors
did, save in the case Of the handsome cap
tain. Only Lucille had captain, too, one
in the English Navy. Him she married.
Whence arose the troubles which
Changed the grave Supreme Court into the
semblance OF comic opera stage, and the
Judge in the black silk robes Of his Office
into a stage manager?
The first act Of "Mlle. Modiste," the opera,
was in dressmaking and milliner shop
The first act Of Mile. Modiste, In real life,
began in a smart Fifth avenue shop. Dean,
the fashionable caterer, occupies the hrst
floor and owns the building One OF his
tenants was 4 we'll known French corset
iere. Another is tailor. Mrs. Durham.