Mme. L’Allemand’s Humor.

A young medical practitioner of this city, who had occasion to deal professionally with one of the principals of the National Opera Company a few weeks ago, tells the following capital story of Mme. Pauline L’Allemand. It appears that when the company was in Chicago, the management owed Mme. L’Allemand considerable back salary, much to the charming song-bird’s mental perturbation. It appears also, that, as one of the collateral schemes of the opera management, it was proposed to give a grand concert in Washington, and at this concert it was determined that L’Allemand should figure as the star attraction. To this proposition, the gifted lady cheerfully assented; but when Mr. Jaffray, the treasurer of the company, came to her, and asked her what numbers she was going to sing at the concert, she declined to say until her back salary had been paid to her. Thereupon Mr. Jaffray told her that he would attend to that little detail right away; but it must have slipped his memory, for madam caught no glimpse of the much-desired money.

In a few days, however, Mr. Jaffray hove in sight with another request for madam to give him the names of the songs she intended to contribute to the Washington concert; but madam said, “No money, no songs.”—“Quite true,” said Mr. Jaffray 219smilingly: “I’ll go right away, and have that matter attended to.”

Time sped on, but the back salary came not. One evening Jaffray sought Mme. L’Allemand again. “By ten o’clock to-morrow morning,” said he, “I must have that memorandum of songs for the Washington concert. There is no time to spare.”

“Very well,” answered L’Allemand: “the list will be ready at that hour if my check is.”

“I will see that the check is forthcoming,” said Mr. Jaffray.

But the appointed hour brought neither Mr. Jaffray nor the check. Whereupon Mme. L’Allemand wrote and sent the following note:—

“Mr. Jaffray,—The delay in the coming of the salary due me has led me to select for the Washington concert three numbers peculiarly appropriate to my condition of mind and purse. You can announce that Mme. L’Allemand will sing,—

When My Ship Comes In Locke

Waiting Jaffray

What Shall the Harvest Be? Thurber

“Hoping that these selections will please both management and public, I am respectfully yours,

“PAULINE L’ALLEMAND.”

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