The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1870-09-01
VOLUME 22-NUMBER As
The Little Tragedy eHeeR-A ParisIau
ROmaUde on the Stage


Some years ago, apale, thin, fragile.
but bright-eyed and intelIigent look
/ ing girl of perhaps ten or twelve wears
of age, used to appear in Paris i'm the
most crowded part of the walk in the
I Champ Elysees, an hour OF so before
sunset. She was attended by an old
woman, who carried violin, n tin
cup ami carpet While the girl stool
apart for n moment, with something
o. a wrapt look, the old woman spread
the carpet, put down tin cup ut one
corner, and scFaped 4 preliminary up
on the violin, which WAS often most
Inappropriate to the drama which
was to follow. The prelude having
terminated, the girl stepped on the
carpet with the air of little tragedy
queen, and recited long TRADES from
Racine and COrneille. She recite,i
them superbly; and, despite her air
Of suffering, and her exceedingly Door
attire, sic produced such an effect on
the crowd that, while she rested, they
filed again and again the cup carried
around by the old woman with Sous
and frame pieces, to encourage her 10
new efforts. The collection was al
ways large one; aud Wliea the deli
eate-l0Oklug child Feturued-aH pal
pitating, and WITH a flush upOn her
cheek, of which il was difficult TO say
whether it was the flush of her own |
triumph, or that of death, destined 70 !
triumph, ,-lcelamatiOns aud eordi- !
al compliments greeted her Us she re-
tired.
The winter passed, the summer F.
come; but not the young girl who .
had charmed the crowds 10y her tragic I
music. During that year, however, a
marvellous girl appeared on the stage
OF the Gymnase Dramatique, and as
departed, like q brilliant
and the speculation ran high
rs to whether this fascinating girl
was the pale enehantress Of the puh-
lie walk. Another year hail nearly
passed away when one night a lady
Ou the stage OF the Theatre
Franeais, and awOke French tragedy
Out of the sleep i'm which il had fallen.
The name of the young girl was an
asltachPl; and all Paris not
only acknowledged her ~ the sOver-
eign OF the tragic throne, but declared
that she was the pO0r girl who once
stood on the carpet in the Champs
Elysees, and reeited Racine for sous
and hail frame. The young lady MAIN
'ained a discreet silence, and various
were the opinions as to her indentity.
In the course of time, however, she
cleared up the mysteries by one Ofthe
Drettiest and most practical confess
iiOns. She invited q large number
II literary and artistic friends to
! sOiree in herspaeiOus saloon.
The fair hostess, i'm the course of
he evening, recited in costume every
)ne of her TRADES from all the great :
tragedies, wherein she had acquired
fame, and then withdraw
lmid the hearty applause other GUESTS.
Presently she returned in n new char
lQteF to them, but an old one to her j
elf, that of n street singer dressed i'm !
appropriate costume. Her appear
Iuee caused an almost painful inter-
st. There was poetry in the whole
Gene, in the elatter Of her boots as
he passed up the splendid gallery,
With the wooden bowl, with the sous
It the bottom, which she ratified as
he stepped forward with o melan-
holy smile. She walked straight to q
he head Of the gallery, and standing Y
nOtiOnleSs for q minute, began the
'allad which she had sung last Of all
'efOre she was summoned from the
treet to the stage, from rags and pow
rty to glory, influence and riches.
The voice OF the singer was low and
altering, and produced such an effect .
hat the audience wept. Having ter n
the recitation, she carried
round the little cup or bowl, as OfOld;
My this time intimating to those to
ghOm her trembling hand extended
/, eft is for the poor"