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Show RICHINGS-BERNARD. The Troupe Disorganized through a Swindling "Proteotor." And now tbe Caroline Ricuings Bernard combination is in a deal of trouble. The performance at the National Guard hall, Virginia city, advertised foi last Wednesday night, did not come off, because the wardrobe ward-robe of the company had been HtUchod and removed from the hall to the justice's court, at the instance of Harry Gates, the second tenor of the troupe. . Mr. Gates' claim amounted (o $400, but he remitted $100, because that was the largest amount which could be brought io the justice's court. It appears that with the organisation organisa-tion ot the troupe a "commonwealth" was instituted a sort of cooperative concern that is, till the receipts were to go to a commun purse, and after eipeniea the remainder was to be divided by percentages among the members, tbe highest share going, of course, to Mme. Ricliiutje and her husband, Bernard. The last named was treasurer and manipulated the aflairs of the commonwealth, as pro lector, much as he pleased, and to the alleged defrauding of the lesser lights of the troupe. During their overland trip, on which, it will be remembered, they visited Salt Lake city, the rank and file ot the company saw a good deal of the country, received a large number of promises, but got very little money. Occasionally a strike would occur among them, when Bernard's purse Btrings would be unloosened - to the extent of about a week's salary apices out of about three or four months' arrearages. They fared poorly; they never could gel asettlement, although money seemed to he rolling in upon them on every hand. They all became tired of the condition of things, as there were no leBS than eighteen or twenty opera singers to whom Caroline Richinga and Pierre Bernard are indebted in suma ranging rang-ing from $300 upwards. In consequence conse-quence of this unpleasantness, the troupe has been disorganized and legal proceedings in a Virginia court, about to commence last Thursday, will develop to what extent "Protector" "Pro-tector" Bernard has victimized bis company. It wa thought that, considering con-sidering the situation of the ladies and gentlemen of the troupe, it would be necessary to give them a helping band by way of a benefit performance. |