The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-01-25
IDAHO WORLD.
THE EARLY DAYS OF DELsARTE.


The autumn of 1929 found him
shabby, almost ragged applicant 70
employment at the stage-door of til
Opera Comique. Repeated rebuffs faile,
to battle his desperate pertinacity.
One day the director, hearing of tn
annoyance to which his subordinate
were subjected by Delsarte, determined
to abate the nuisance by one of thos,
cruel coups-demain Of which French
men are prominently capable. The
next night, during the performance
when Delsarte called, he was, to his
surprise and delight, shown into the
great mans presence.
"Well, sir, what do you want?"
Pardon, Monsieur, | came to seek a
place in your theatre
There is but one vacant, and you
don't seem capable of filling that.
want only call boy"
"Sir, am prepared to fill the posi-
ton OF o prentice sWet among your
singers"
Imbecaem
Monsieur, if my clothes are poor,
my art is genuine"
"Well, sir, if you will sing for me,
will hear you shortly"
He left Delsarte alone, overjoyed at
having secured the managers ear. In
a few moments surly fellow tells him
he is wanted below, and he soon found
himself with the managers upon the
stage behind the green curtain.
"You are to sing here" said the d.
rector. "There is your piano In one
moment the curtain will be rung up
| am tired of your opportunities. II
give you one chance to show the stuff
you're made of. If you discard this
opportunity, the next time you show
your face at my door you shall be ar
rested and imprisoned as vagrant."
The indignation excited in Delsarte
by this cruel trick instantly gave way
before the reflection that success was
q matter of life and death with him.
and that perhaps his last chance lay
within his grasp. He forgot his rags;
every nerve became iron; and when
the curtain was rung up, beggar with
the bearing of prince advanced to
the foot-lights, was received with de-
risive laughter by some, with chances
of surprise and Indignation by others.
and, with sad and patient smile on
his countcnance, gracefully saluted the
bright audience The courtliness of
his manner disarmed hostility: but
when he sat down to the piano, ran his
fingers over the keys, and sang a, few
bars, the exquisite voice found its way
to every heart. With every moment
his voice became more powerful. Each i
graduation of emotion was rendered with
an ease, an art, an expression, that ,
made every heart-string vibrate. Then
he suddenly stopped, bowed and retired. .
The house rang with braves. The dress
circle forgot its reticence, and Joined in !
the tumult of applause. He was re- !
called. This time he sang a grand !,
lyric composition with the full volume !:
Of his voice, aided in effect by those !,
imperial gestures of which he had al !.
ready discovered the secret. The audi 7
ence were electrified. They declared =
that Talma was resuscitated. But when :
ne was a second time recalled his tragic :
mood had melted, there were clears in .
lis voice." as we'll as on his checks. Il
After the fall Of the curtain, the di- :
'cctor grasped his hand, loaded him : :
With compliments, and offered him an =
for year at a salary of .
en- thousand francs He went home :,
o occupy his wretched attic for the q
asst time, and, falling on his knees, u
'oured forth his soul in prayer.-At- :.
1ntlc Monthly y
---------$% e.