The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-01-31
JENNY LIMBS KINDNESS OF
HEART.
\ srenr FROM BAanum.s aurenroeRAl

4 STORY FROM BAanuM's AUTeBEoGRAPHY
In Havana, the house occupied by
Jenny Lind and those who accompanied
!. hef from Europe, as we'll as my daughter
and myself, was pleasantly situated
Sfiear the. Tacon Theatre, just outside
the .walls.~ Signor Viyalla, the little
/ Italian juggler and platcsdalcer Who, II
.foMner, years, had perfornied under my
/ auspices, called on me frequently. He
Twas thus unable to earn a livelihood, al
though he still kept performing dog
(which turned spinning wheel and per.
formed some curious tricks. One day,
as I was passing him out of the front
tgate, Miss Lind inquired of me who he
4 was. l briefly Fecounted to herhis his tory.
Sho expressed deep interest in his case,
and said something should be set apart
i for him in the " benefit which she was
about to give for charity. Accordingly,
when the benefit came of, Miss Lind
appropriated $500 to him, and I made
the necessary arrangements to have him
return to his friends in Italy. At the
same benefit 81, 900 was distributed be-
tween two humane hospitals and q con-
vent. A couplo of mornings after the
benefit our bell was rung, and the ser
| want announced that / was wanted. I
went to thedoor and found large pro-
cessien of children, neatly dressed and
bearing banners, attended by ten or
twelve priests, dressed in their rich and
flowing robes. I inquired their bust
ness and was informed that they had
come to see Miss Lind aud thank her in
| person for her benevolence. Itook their
message and informed Miss Lind that
the leading priests of the convent had
] come in great state to sec and thank
her. " 1 will not see them," she repli-
ed /; 4" they have nothing to thank me
for. If 1 have done good, it is no more
than my duty, and it is my pleasure. /
do not deserve their thanks I will not
see them.n I returned her answer, and
the leaders Of the grand procession turn
ed away in disappointment.
The same day Vivalla called aud
brought her basket of the most luscious
fruit that he could procure. The little
fellow was very happy and extremely
grateful. Miss Lind had gone out for a
rido.
"God bless me ! am so happy !; she
is such a good lady. l shall see my
brothers and sisters again. Oh, she is
a very good lady" said poor Vivaila,
overcome by his feelings. He begged
me to thank her for him, and give her
the fruit. As he was passing out of the
door he hesitated moment, and then
said: "Mr. Barnum, I should like Sc
much to have the good lady see my dog
turn wheel; it is very nice; he can
spin very good. Shall 1 bring the dog
and wheel for her :? She is such good
lady, 1 wish to please her very much. "
1 smiled, and told him she would not
care for the dog; that he was quite well
come to the money, and that she refused
to see the priests from the convent that
morning, because she never received
thanks-fo for favors.
When Jenny camo in I gave her the
fruit, and laughingly told her that
Vivalla wished to show her how his per-
forming dog could turn spinning wheel.
Poor man, poor man, do let him
come, it is all the good creature can de
for me-" exclaimed Jenny, and the tears
flowed thick and fast down her cheeks.
81 like that, 1 like that she con-
tinued, do let the poor creature come
and bring the dog. It will mnke him
so happy" | confess it made me hap
py, and exclaimed, for my heart was
full. "God bless you, it will make him
cry for joy; he shall come tomorrow. y
I saw Vivalla the same evening, and de-
lighted him with the intelligence that
Jenny would see his dog perform the
next day, at four o'clock precisely. 81
will be punctual," said ViFalla, in a
voice trembling with emotion But
I was sure she would like to seq my dog
perform. ~
For full half On hour before the time
appointed did Jenny Lind sit in her
window on the second floor, and watch
for YiValla and his dog. A few minutes
before the appointed hour she saw him
coming. " All, here he comes, becomes,
she exclaimed in delight, as she ran
down stairs and opened the door to ad-
NIT him. A negro boy was bringing the
small spinning wheel, while Vivalla led
the dog, and handing the boy silver
coin, she motioned him away, and taking
the wheel In her arms she said g. This
IS very kind OF you, TO come with your
dog; follow me, will carry the wheel
up stairs;" her servant offered to take
the wheel, but no, she would let no one
carry it but herself; she called US all
up to her parlor, and for one full hour
did she devote herself to the happy
italian, She went down on her knees
to pet the dog and to ask Yiyalla all
sorts of questions about his perform
ances, his former course of life, his
friends in Italy and his present hopes
and determinations. Then she sang and
played for him, gave him some refresh
ments and finally insisted on carrying
his wheel to the door, from whence her
servant accompanied Viyalla to his
boarding house.
Poor Vivallal He was probably nev-
er 80 happy before, but his enjoyment
did not exceed that of Miss Lind. That
scene alone would have paid me for I'll
my lsbors during the whole musical
campaign,
When cats wash their feces, bad
weather is at hand when women use