The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1874-08-13

would see him before l called on Mile.
Courcellini.
"Will," l began, show much ought
they to pay me for such a sketch F'
"Now don't interrupt me again until
l finish this note" responded my broth
er, and l relapsed once more into ST.
lence.
1 was SO excited that night 1 could
hardly sleep.
Would it never be morning? The
first thing heard when l woke was the
sound of rain on the roof; not warm,
gentle rain, but cold, hard storm, such
as we are apt to have in the spring.
For a minute or so l felt dreadfully dis
appointed. Mile. Courcellini was only
to remain in the city day or two longer,
and if l did not call that morning l
night not see her at all; and then, IN
dulging a hope, dressed huriedly and
ran down to the dining-room.
Mother" /" said l pleadingly, may L
go in the rain?'
"YeS, if you will wear your rubbers
and waterproof"
Ipromised willingly, and finished my
breakfast as quickly as possible. 1t
wanted quarter of eight and l must
reach the office of the Musical Magazine
by nine o'clock in order to see the editor.
What dress should | wear? spent fully
ten minutes considering this question,
although there were only my one silk
suit and my cashmere to choose between.
At last / decided in favor of the latter.
| could not afford to spoil my silk, if it
had been turned and made over twice /;
but put on my best necktie, arranged
my veil as nicely as possible, and Sc
lected a good pair of gloves. Then 1
threw on my waterproof, pinned up my
dress, called out "good-by" to mother
on my way down stairs, seized an UNI
brella, and started. How it did rain
Fortunately, however, l had only a
square to walk, and stood under an avn
ing while waiting for car. 1t was
nearly empty when it came. There were
but few passengers that dark, stormy
morning; only two or three business
men, a schoolgirl with her armful of
books, and young lady opposite mewho
vas probably a clerk in some downtown
store. l wondered if any of them would
envy me if they knew l was about to
have the honor of calling on Mile. Cour-
cellini, the great prima donna; me, the
pale, insigniicant-looking individual in
the corner with the navy-blue water
proof and cotton umbrella. / presume,
however, that if the pretty schoolgirl or
the young lady opposite noticed me at
all they thought me simply a plainly
dressed person, in nowise to be enEed.
1 confess felt slightly nervous when
ushered into the private Office of the ed
itor of the Musical Magazine; but briefly
stated my errand, and, to my delight,
learned that they would be glad to pub
lish and pay for such sketch as | might
write.
A few minutes later found me at the
door of the Hudson House, with my card
and Wills note in my hand. There is
no use in saying l was not at all fright
ened. What girl would not have felt
timid under such circumstances But /
don't think shall feel much afraid the
merit time | call on a great prima donna.
1 pulled the bell violently-I didn't mean
to, but it rang so easily-and one of the
walters came hurrying to the door. 1
wonder if he would have been in such
haste if he had known it was only poor
little me who stood waiting? | gave
him my card and the note, and said quite
imperiously: "Take these to Mile Cour-
cellini." Then l seated myself in one of
the parlors.
What should l say to her? How would
she treat me? While was asking my
self these questions for at least the
trro1t;ofb fir,a 4ba x,-o;far ,of,,ryaJ xri&l,
the message that / was to please walk
upstairs to Mile. Courcellini's private
parlor.
"Can't you keep my umbrella and
waterproof?' l said to the waiter.
Certainly, Miss"
So l gave them into his charge, and
started to find "number eleven" 1t
was Just at the head of the stairs, and,
summoning up all my courage, thinking
once more of the hat I wanted so much,
l knocked at the door.
"Come in" called some one from
within in a thin, sharp voice.
l opened the door, closed it gently be-
hind me, and glanced quickly around
the room. Two ladies, one old, the other
quite young, were seated before the win
dow. The young lady rose as l entered.
"Mlle. Coarcellini ?".I said, in a very
selfpossessed manner.
She replied in the affirmative, and
politely offered me chair.
al called" began, seating myself,
4" thinking you might be willing to give
me some facts in regard to your life, in
order that l may write a sketch for the
Musical Magazine, published in this CITY,"
Mile. Courcellini expressed herself
pleased to have me write such an article.
Then l took out my notebook and
pencil and said, in the most matter-of-
fact, business-like way. "Where were
you born?
supposed that was the way the re-
porters began, and ] don't believe Mile
Courcellini discovered, from my manner,
that / had never interviewed a great
singer before. If l loGs.afraid, did not
intend she should know it.
Before had been in the room fifteen
minutes was in possession of all the facts
necessary for my sketch, and rose to take
my departure.
"You don't know how much l have
enjoyed your singing this winter" Isaid
to Mile. Courcellini. Whereupon her
mother, the old lady have mentioned,
smiled approvingly and insisted on shak-
ing hands with me. was glad she did
not want me to kiss her, for she is the
funniest, fussiest, fattest old lady you
ever did see?
| have wondered several times since
whether that waiter who took care Of my
cloak and umbrella expected a fee?
Well, l believe l have come to the end
of my story. l wrote my sketch of Mile.
Courcellini, it was accepted, and l re-
ceived for it money enough to buy me a
white chip hat, with pale blue trimming
and apple blossoms. It's perfectly lovely,
and L look downright pretty in it, if do
say so myself!
Don't you wish you knew Mile. Cour-
cellini's real name? Do you remember
a great prima donna with very light hair
and dark brown eyes, a rather large face,
not exactly pretty but decidedly nice
looking, who sang here last winter and de-
delighted us with her beautiful voice !
Well, she is the original of Mile. Cour-
cellini, and if you were to meet her
without knowing her name you would
simply think her good-natured, kind
hearted girl, never dreaming that she was
a famous prima donna.
If in yourwalks down Broadway this sum-
mer, you pass girl about eighteen, with
deep blue eyes and golden hair, perfect
blonde; if she wears white chip hat
with pale blue trimming and wreath Of
/ III. Il,