Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-01
Pauline Lucca,
From the New York Herald.

Here is an episode out of her early youth, re-
lated in her own words:
When was sent TO boarding school ! was
not nine; had previously been to a day school,
but as a rich mans child, and as such no one
ever learned anything. / soon found out how
bitter was the change. 1t was long before
could silence my childish heart and put up quiz
city with all the bumiliations and Sights to
which ! was subjected, although however,
managed TO do 50. But was destined TO achieve
a triumph even here. About year and a half
elapsed, and an examination was fast drawing
near Every one looked forward to it on the
tiptOe of excitement, but / awaited it with per-
feet indifference. | knew very well that no
questions would be put to me. Every day a
master used to give us lessons in singing from
twelve to about one. The reader must not
imagine however, that there was any regular
course Of instructions; the girls had to sing 10 a
violin, and mere mechanically drilled, like so
many canary birds. The lesson was attended by
only few, because it had 10 be paid for extra
was permitted to take part in it, not as favor,
for was never to sing, but in the absence of a
desk / served to hold the music for the others.
Previous TO the examination my schoolmates
had a number of songs drilled into them, which
songs they sang to the examiner and the gem
eral public. | remember this striking me at the
time as ndescribably absurd DISCRIMINATION
approached nearer and nearer. We were all
admirably prepared. The mistress of the school.
failed to inspire us with reverential awe At
last the grand day came. We had all been
ordered TO wear certain toilet, a command
which placed my poor mother in a state of no
slight embarrassment As we had been told,
too, we put on the most solemn, anxious faces
and awaited, with beating hearts, the course OF
events. Gradually the room was filed with
parents, guardians, brothers and sisters, who,
Of course, brought with them a swarm
of friends and acquaintances. Gle" only,
the great, the deeply feared man, the ex-
aminer, was still wanting. As a matter of
course, / was placed on the last bench, in order,
as was laughingly, and thereby eonsolinaly
informed that | might look like a "big girl y
though was bit of thing, hardly as tall as
the bench on which | sat. The examination
went Off very well. was called on once, at the
very moment ] was thinking the least of
such thing, and had just made myself as com
Portable as possible. OF course, could not
answer a word. Indeed, had scarcely heard
the question. | quickly sat down again amid
the derisve laughter Of the other girls, while
the mistress frowned severely. The examiner,
however, put on most knowing look as if he
considered my answer extremely clever. So
things proceeded very satisfactorily. When the
examination was nearly over those girls rose
who were to be examined in singing, | was
inYountarily brought back by the rustling to
the present, and, on looking up, beheld two
PAGES off, my mother, who, quite pale, with
proachluly. This affected me more than
derision or the severity Of my teach
ers. felt ashamed. The thought,
How can you make amends for your
iaultP flashed through my brain like light
ming. l had been told not to play the part OF
tue desk during the examination. ! was to sit
still while the Others were singing. Suddenly |
thought, "you shall sing" ! knew all the
songs by heart, but how was | to manage so as
to be allowed to sing one? However, the idea
Of pleasing my mother did not permit me to
take account of any obstacles. When the siq.
nal for standing up was given, rose too, and
went forward with the others. The mistress
cast FURIOUS, and at the same time astounded
look at me. did not observe it. In order not
to make disturbance, nothing was said. When
all the others had sung in turn, each her
particular piece, the master was about to get
up But the examiner whom had kept staring
at during the whole proceedings, turned sud
denly to me. We'll, and what can you sing for
us, he asked. Anything ! answered boldly.
'Oh-indeedl Well then, sing the last little
song" turned up my nose somewhat, for the
song was very insignificant one, and wanted
to sing the cave Maria" which one of the
girls, who was ILL., had learned. ! took the
music and sung il right TO the end without a
fault, and with 50 clear and bell like a voice that
most Of those present literally opened their eyes
aud mouths as wide as they could, Appetite
comes with eating, we are told. When ! had
finished l was exceedingly vcxed that there
were not at least ten verses more. looked
round. My mother was smiling through her
fears. My little girlish heart swelled bigh. /
recollected the humlliations to which had been
subjected and resolved TO take Il brilliant re-
venge' Stepping iorWard and casting one look
more at my mother TO gain courage, begged
the examiner 10 let me sing something else He
consented, and chose the cave Maria" a simple
but indcscribably touching composition. which
| can never sing even now without the tears
coming into my eyes. sung it-but how? /
do not know. All recoect is that, when had
finished felt the breath from pair of lips and
warm drops on my head II was the examiner.
"My dear, you have sung like little augoiD
In relation to Prince Arthur's recent visit TO
Birmingham, the republican, club Of that town
have passed unanimous resolution protesting
against public rates being expended in gas
burning and other antiquated fooleries, under
preteuce OF doing honor to royal or other per.
s0nages, believing such tamperiDg with the
public money to be illegal and not provided fol-
by any act Of parliament.