The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-05-16

lady like voice-not unnatural to her
that was LISTS own favorite when !
knew him; beautiful. isn'tit? But here
is something I like better and turning
to the piano, her eyes still closed, she
gave with exquisite skill one of Bach's
Counter Fugues.' which is perhaps
the most difficult of all compositions to
render, but when we'll delivered, as this
was, carries the nearer from earth to
heaven. If I could render Counter
Fugue," as musician, l should be con-
tent [ was so absorbed In her theme
that / forgot who was the fine performer.
As it closed Lisette rose gracefully, and
bowling said: THAT is sufficient for this
child tonight; she must now rest. Please
kind friends, do not waken her il the
morning | will arouse her at the proper
time" and bowling again with womanly
grace Lisette had meyer attained, she
passed to her room.
HANDEL AND BEETHOVEN.
The next morning Lisette, usually all
early riser, slept until ten clock. We
said nothing to her Of what we had wit
messed, nor told it to any one else that
day. On the second night after we were
awakened about the same hour by sim
liar performance in the parler. Wew went
in again. The pieces played we're ali
classic, mostly from Handel-one or two
from Beethoven-ard their execution
perfect, only one of which had ever been
played in her hearing. Between each
sre made remarks and criticisms as nat
uraliy as if she were some accomplished
performer, presiding at the piano. and
not as our little nurse girl. AS she closed
this performance she astonished us more
than ever by saying: Good friends, |
much thank you for your kindness to
this child am her mother, and [ am
training her unconsciously to herself.
Please do not tell her Of this practice,
for | fear she will not long remain with
you, as she is very delicate, - and bowed
herself out as before.
THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
These performances being repeated
every alternate night after, became some
what annoying, especially since Lisette
seemed to be declining rapidly The
physician prescribed for her, but never
seemed to understand her case. He
witnessed the musical performances. He
said she was undoubtedly asleep the
whole time at the piano. On one occa-
sion she turned to him and said y:
"Oh, doctor! I see you don't under
stand this; Lisette is not before you ex-
cept in body. am her mother. | can
use her body. My name is Therese Bern
ard. was reared in Lorraine, married
in Paris [ taught music iii Paris-it
was my grand passion. My husband
died on board ship as we came to Amer
lea. | died in New York few months
afterward. [ have watched Lisette ever
since-you need not give her medicine
she will soon be with me and Louis -
She fingered till January last and died a
painless death. 1t was gradual fading
away. Her performances ceased in De-
cember. After her death Mr.. j. wrote
to the asylum whence she came to know
what the record showed concerning her.
The answer so far as applicable, is as fol-
lows:
BERNARD Lisette-entered January
20, 1861, from Blocker street tenement
house. Supposed to be four years old
mother died of starvation said to be a
French music teacher. Lisette sent to
Indianapolis April, 1865"
She never touched the piano when
awake, but she said she would like to
learn to play it. Nor did she, with but
two exceptions, play any pieces that were
played in our house by any person.