Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-06-01
The, Eaily Days Of Detsttrfe'

The autumn of 1856 found him n
shabby, almost ragged applicant for
emplovmcnt ut the stage door OF the
Opera Comiquc. Repeatedly rchnif-
f led to battle his desperate pertinae-
ity.
One day the director, hearing OF
the annoyance TO which his subord
mates we're subjected by Dclsarte,
detern ned to abate the nuisance by
one of those crncl caups de man OF
which Frenchmen are pre-emlnentIy
capable. The next night, during the
performance, whom Delsarte called,
he was, to his surprise and delight
shown into the great mans presence.
"lv ell, sir, wha, do sou wan''"
Pardon, Monsieur. | came to
seek place Mt your theatre
There is bat one Vacant, nnd YOU
don't seem capable Of tiIllns that.
| want OILY call boy"
"sir, ! a,f prepared to I'll the po,
sition Of premier snjet among your
singers.
Iabec;c -
Monsieur, if my cloths are poor,
my art is genuine"
:" We'll, sir. II ynp wlll sing for me,
| will hear you shortly"
He.lclt Dclsartc alone, oveinyed at
having secured the lraha2ef's eaf'
In few moments surIcv fellow
told hun he was wanted below, and
he seon found himself with the mana
rcr upon the stage behind the green
curtain.
You arc to sing here, said the
dire ctor. ether" is your piano. IN
Que moment the curtain will ring Up.
| am tired Of your importanltleN.
| give you one chance TO show The
stuff you're made Of II you discard
this opportunity, the next time
you show your face az mv,door you
Shall be arrested and Imprisoned as
vagrant."
The Indignation excited ia nclsartc
by this cruel trick instantly gave way
be fore the reflection that sncess was a
matter Of life and dealt, with him,
and that perhaps his hast chance LAY
within his grasp. He forgot his rags |,
every nerve become iron aud when
the curtain was rung mp, a bcgaf with
the bearing Of a prince advanced to
the foot.lights, was received with
deris;yc laughter by some. with
glanccs Of surprise aud indignation
by others, and, with sad and patient
smile on his countenauce, gracefully
sautcd the brilliant alilience. The
courtliness Of his manner dsarmed
hostility but when he sat down to
the piano, ran his fingers over the
keys, ana sang n few bars, the exquis.
ite voice found it, way to every heart.
With every moment h's voice he.
come more powerful. Each grada.
ton Of emotion was rendered with an
ease, an art, an e'p~"sslon. that made
every hcartstrinL ,'trate. Then ho
suddenly stopped, h,wed, and retired.
The house rang with bravos. The
dress. circle forgot its reticence, and
Joined In the ,nnut Of applause. He
was recalled. This time ne sang a
grand lyric composition With the
full volame OF his voice, aided in
effect BY those imperial gestures Of
which he had already discovered
the secret. The audience were elec.
trifed. They declared that ralma
was resuscitate, But when he was a
second time recalled his tragic mood
had melted, there were " tears IN his
voice y as well as on his cheeks.
After the fall ofthe curtain, the
director grasped his hand, loaded
him with compliments, and offered
him an engagement for a year at
salary Of ten thousand francs. He
went home to occupy his wrets.bed
attic for the iast time, and, falling on
his knees. poured forth his soul in
prayer.-.4t,zssio Monthly.