The Shasta courier., 1864-04-02

feals burst forth as made the house tremble
= its foundations. The performances were
stopped. The audience rose in a body.
Handkerchiefs, gloves, hats, waved in the
ar from the high dome to the feet of the love-
= being, herself astonished at the tumult
sfAhad raised.
Gam brica, from the green-roop,. heard
these ominous sounds, and felt the boards
Eemhle under her feet She hastened forth.
and from an unobserved retreat beheld the
s. sht- blasting view of a rival. potent with all
Ae spells of grace, youth, beauty, genius: a
rial, conjured up from no one knew where
Aised like YeIsus, full sforme- sa.ss
mounted upon her pedestai-waving her
sacred wand-and welding with hand, yes
terday feeble and unknown, all her thunders.
From the lips of the hundreds. too, she heard
undisguised raptures, sanctioning, leading
on the triumph Of this new and all resplend-
ent enemy. Her ears rung with the contin-
ual and simultaneous pealsE-eaoh one SEEM
ed bolt directed at her own head. Her
breath failed-the strength forsook her limbs
rage and despair filled her BOSOM paralyz
ed her efforts, and planted themselves on her
eOuntenance. 1t happened that the opera
shadowed forth tale not unlike the reality
of those interests and emotions which were
thus brought into action, and that the two
competitors before the audiance bore roles
which gave fatal Illustration of the down
fall of long successful ambition, before the
rising of puIer and lovlier star
Marina gained each moment in the esteem
of the auditors. The very dissimilitude be-
tween her and Gambrica gave new impetus
to her success. For the first time the world
discovered that nature had other gems than
that which they had worn. to the exclusion
of all others and, with the caprice for which
they are celebrated, they were prepared in
an instant to throw aside that of which they
became weary. After Gambrica, Marina
pleased by force Ct novelty ana contrast Her
very faults We're relief. She was like the
signing Of fpte, after the blast of the trum-
pet. She resembled silence and odor breath
ing moonlight. after the brightness OF the
gaudy aud remorseless day"
Gambrica felt that the sceptre was slipping
from her hands. The applause which she
subsequently received were not what they
had been. She went from the stage, after
having lost all inspiration, trembling, des-
perate, as if an evil spirit had taken posses
ion of her. A large mirror hung in the green
room. She gazed at herself in it. Her
countenance was haggard-her features dark
and heavy with passion-and to throw the
last shadow over her gloom, at this inoppor
tune and miserable moment she detected
wrinkle on her brow, and upon the sable and
glossy hair parted over her forehead, two or
thr of white. Is thus that mortal
tys .s-y.4s :, ,..l,.I.y
1hescurtain fell, i,.t the audience remain
ed, and with vehement clamors, demanded
the manager. On his appearance general
cry expressed thewish that Marina should
receive an Immediate engagement as pI'imd
donna. The ready caterer for their pleasure
of course, delighted to find new
treasure. Heavy rounds of applause offered
parting tribute to the newly risen star, and
then night, calm aud quiet. settled over the
glittering bay and halferial mountains, the
silent shore and the sleeping city.
For some days nothing was talked of but
Marina. How capricous IS the popular iudg-
ment how utterly it will be ravshed to, day
with that which to morrow will be flung by
and forgotten Gambrica's name was now
scarcely heard but as the precursor of an in
vidious comparison. Marina filed every
heart Marina was utted by every lip. Ma
rina was the theme ofeyery cafe, every street,
every square.
How unlike Gambrica ~ was the ungrate-
ful exclamation.
All! pocerina, she has had her day."
cried one.
. She was good, but she is terribly passee, !"
said another.
. For me, cried a third, II always knew
she YVES overrated.'
A sunGower by the rose, said fourth
/" Too large-too round-too tall-too heavy
her hair too black, her eyes no softness,"
added fifth.
'."hen,' said the first, . how over dram
attic! We are cloyed with style too stud
led and volumptuous. Nature is too elabo-
rately improved upon. Nothing is left to it
self She may be the first of her school, but
thekchool of Marina is the first Did you
observe her attitude last night when she drew
the dagger ~
Yes, fishwoman going to fight"
She is a great singer, though" " ventrred
a little dandy who had not heard Marina.
Certainly, very great but, then: she is
always the same"
And what horrid facesiV
These structures were general. They were
the first that Gambrica had ever encountered
They fell on her heart like lava.
Again the night came and the theatre was
besieged by an enthusiastic throng. Equip
age after equipage dashed up. Party after
party of bewildering faces and dazzling
shoulders FASTENED in. Each seat was filled,
the aisles were crowded, the lobbies over
flowed; all the nobility, fashion, science and
lovliness, fortunate enough to secure places.
were assembled. Sounds of impatience arose.
Never had there been a more brilliant au-
dience
In small private box, over the stage, in
full view, sat Gambrica alone; spectator
of this eventful hour, dressed in style
sternly simple-a robe of white. On her un-
covered head no ornament, but the raven
hair parted over her brow. 1t was observed
that once or twice her dark eyes hashsd, and
that her cheek was pale ana grave.
:. Poor Gambrica !" whispered many, . her
day is over"
Marina appeared. Not her fondest friends
had dared to predict so dazzling triumph.
She was trebly suecessful-as the loyliest
creature that ever was seen as the most
touching, noble and pure actress; and as
singer. transcendent over all her predeces
sors Her voice was phenomenon. Such
a one had never before been heard by mortal
ears. She herself had not known all its deep