True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-10-06

reck who slept there, "unwept, ,unhonored,
and unsung"-while the little Sarah car.
oiled in the streets Of towns and villages,
adding her mite TO her fathers stores, and
the mother trudged YEARLY along beside
her husband, and the great black eyes of
the infant in her arms gradually learned
to rove from her mothers face, 10 the
new and strange objects constantly pre-.
sented to her.
A few years went by, and we behold
the family of the Jewish hawker settled
down at Lyons, a more congenial home TO
the mother with growing family, since it
afforded her rest from the wandering life
she had hitherto led and the father be-
came the lesse Of small dingy shop un-
derneatt the apartments occupied by his
wife and children, where were collected
the various goods, ARTICLES of jewelry, elc.,
usually found in a Jews shop,by the sale
OF which he contrived TO add daily 10 his
little stores.
And in This city, also The eldest child,
Sarah, again took up her life of singer,
daily going forth into the streets and va.
rious cafes, and this time accompanied by
the little Rachel, who at the close of her
sisters songs, collected in her tambourine
money from admiring connoisseurs. At
day-break the mothers hands clothed
these little ones, smoothed their coal
black hair, taught them the formula of
that Hebrew faith in which she had been
born, and TO which her children always
clung then busted herself all day with
her younger brood, while their childish
feet sought the thronged streets, cafes and
pleasure-grounds of The city--the sweet
voice OF the elder caroling blithe French
songs. and the large black eyes OF the
tiny Rachel smiling thanks to the kind
monsieur or madame, who dropped sou
into her tambourino.
Who, then, of the throng who be.
slowed their coin upon this pale, thin,
meagre, ill-clad, little wanGerer, saw trace
of Ter, who, years afterwards. on the
boards of the Theatre RoyaIe, moved all
the Partisan world? Who, then, pausing
moment to look into the lambent eyes
of The Jewish child, read therein their
wondrous prophecy
In 1880, the Felix family removed 10
Paris-a new and untred field of action.
Here again the mother pursued her house
hold cares, and the jew his employment,
and the little girl Sarah her role of singer
at the cafes and on the boulevards, but
the little Rachel was promoted from the
financial department to join her sister in
her songs and ballads.
"What is your name, my child 2" ask.
cd a grave, benevolent looking man, one
morning, attracted by the child's clear,
liquid voice, as he was sauntering along
The gay Boulevards.
"Rachel Felix, monsieur,' replied the
sweet voice, while she dropped a graceful
courtesy as monsieur slid a golden coin
into her thin little hand.
"And why do you sing all day in the
streets, my child!"
"Ah, bon monsieur, it is to earn sou,
and sometimes kind gentleman bestows
upon me franc, but Sarah 'and carry
it home to our mere. and the girls lus.
trous eyes glistened her thanks.
"And how should you like to accom-.
pany me to the great church Notre Dame,
and hear the grand organ play :" he ask.
ed smilingly.
zen. bien-tres biee bon monsieur ~
exclaimed the eager child.
"You loUe TO sing, mon enfant ?"
"Oui monsieur! ~ and she broke forth
into joyous carol.
"Wbere do yon live, petite uns!" Y
"In de Rue. Vindres tn ct vois
ma chere mere, monsieur I" -...
The result Of that visit to the apart
ments of the Jewish hawker and his wife
has been seen by those who are familiar
with the career Of Rachel. The visitor,
who was no other than M. Charon, foun.
der of the royal institution for the study
Of sacred music, obtaining the consent Of
her parents by representing the advanta-
ges of such career for their wonderfully
endowed child, at once took charge Of
her fortunes. She remained under his
tuition for some months, but at length
discovering that her vocal Developments
saited her more for the dramatic than the
musical profession, her patron accordingly
placed her under the tuition Of M. 81,
Aulaire. Here in I ecole aramaique, her
true home was found, and her true career
first began. For months she studied
under the best masters Of elocution, and
IN 1886 was admitted as d pupil at the
Conservatoire. For another year she re.
NAMED at her stulies- committing those
wonderful tragedies Of Racine and Cor.
nellie, the perusal Of which not only
stereotyped them into her memory, bul
enforced their soul and spirit into her
life, I'LL tragedy ,oas Rachel and Rachel
svaS tragedy! III April, 1857, the artistic
made her debut at Gymanse, in q play
entitled ala Vendeenne." Her perfor.
nance was good, unexceptionoble, but
giving no token Of her particular talent,
Rnchel made no particular sensation
But on the Gath Of june, 1888, at the