The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-01-30

stairs.
Having gained the room, the unhap-
py and misguided young man sat silent
and motionless for some hours, until at
length hunger, despair and his dreamy
visions had driven away every calm
good thought from his head, and then
lie dared quietly proceeded to carry
out his dreadful and desperate intent.
lie enclosed carefully the window,
stuffed his mattrass up the chimney,
and with paper stopped every aperture.
Then he drew forth from his parcel
charcoal and a burner, and lit it
Thus had the wrctched man determin-
cd to end his suffcrings. He had made
one last effort, and now, in that soli
tary, dismal garrct, he laid linn down
to die; and poverty and misery, genius
and death, were hudlcd close together.
Meanwhile; amid blaze of light,
the evenings amusement had begun at
the theatre. A new opera from Paris
was to be played, aud the prima donna
was the young, lovely, and worshippcd
Claudinc, the Jenny Lind of that time
and place. The house was crowded,
and the first act succeeded beyond all
expectation; the audience were in &C.
stacy.
"Shc is a jewel said M. Dupont,
who, from private box, admired the
great supporter Of his theatre. A roar
of applause from the pit delighted at
this instant the good mans years.
Claudinc, called before the curtain, was
bowiny to the audience. But what is
this? Instead of going off, she has Just
signed to the ochcstra TO play. She is
about to show her gratitude to the aud
cncc in verse. NJ. Dupont rubs his
hands, md repeats twice between his
teeth "Shc is jcwcll!' But with
ease and raridty the band has com.
mcnced playing an unknown air. and
the next instant NJ. Dupont is stan
ding up with strange and Wild look
flushed and still was every breath:
the audience lock at each other; not Il
word of communication takes place:
mcn shudicr, or rather trcmble with
emotion. But the first stanza is ended:
and then a frantic shout, starting of
all to their feet. wild Shrek of delight,
a cry of a thousand voices laundering
the chorus, shows how the song has
electrified them.
NJ. Dupont frowncd, for the air and
the song were not new to linn: it was
the Song Of the Army Of The Rhine
he had refused that morning! But
Claudinc proceeds: again the audience
is hushel in dca,h-!ikc silence; while
the musicians, reused by an unusual
degree of enthusiasm played admirably,
and Claudinc, still singing with the
purity, feeling, and energy of her ad-
mirahlc voice, plunged her eyes into
every corner Of the heusc-,--in vain.
At each couplct the enthusiasm Of the
people became greater, the anxiety Of
the singing more intense. At length
she concluded, and never did applause
more hearty, more tremendous, more
uproarous, great the voice of public
songstrcss. The cxcitablc population
Of Marsrilcs seemed mad.
When silence was restored, Claudinc
spokc..--"l { itoycnS and citoYcnncs.I she
exclaimed, "t'lis song is both written
and composed by young and unknown
man, who has vain sought to put in his
composition before the public. Every
body has refused them. For myself, l
thought :his the greatest musical effort
Of the modern times; and as such |
practiced it today; and, unknown to
manager or author, l and the band
prepared this surprise. But the au.
thor is not here. Poor and dcspairing,
he is at home lamcnting his unapprcci,
atcd efforts! Let us awake him; let
him learn that the generous people Of
Marscillcs can understand and feel
great music. Come, let all who have
hearts follow me, and chaunt the NIGH.
ty song as we 90. And Clandinc,
stepping across the ochcstra, landed in
the pit, and, barchcaded, light dressed
as she was, rushed towards the door,
followed by every spectator and 10y the
musicians, who, however, put on ,hcir
hats, and even threw cloak and cap
on the excited and generous young
songstress.
Meanwhile the composers dreadful
resolve was being carried out. The
horrid fumes Of the charcoal filed the
room; soon they began to consume and
exhaust the pure air, and the wrcthchcd
youth felt all the pangs of coming death.
Hunger, exhaust, ,on, and despair kindle
a kind Of madness i'll his brain; wild
shapes danced around bin, his many
songs seemed sung altogether, by
coarse, husky voices, that made their
sound punishment : and then the
blasted atmosphere expressing his chest
darkenmg his vision, his room seemed
4n, I'D l,,,. !. r 4 !