Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-30


the violins and the piano delivered roll
Of musket shots, firing by file, and at
this Jules ran behind the curtain. 1t
was drawn up and our new acquaintance
stepped o1t. There was not French
man in the house who did not regret
when Jules had closed and fnallys left
for Syria. His notes we're full Of pathos,
and perhaps that other Syria he was
bound for when the curtain fell, added
something to his expression.
Come, said he, I'm going"
Joining him we left the saloon, and as
we turned the corner Of Toulouse, beer,
stage, lights and wild carouse vanished.
We passed Bourbon, Dauphine, Bur
gundy and still on. Where could he
live2 At last he turned into a dark,
damp alley way and called on us to fol-
low. 1t was an old Creole house, ore
story and attic, with a tile roof.
Reaching the door of the rear room,
he unlocked it from the outside and
walked in. The light was almost blind
ing A chandelier offour jets was burn
ing brightly, and they dazzled one. 1t
was half-past eleven o'clock, and there
was a peculiar quiet in the air. "Why
so many lights" thought we if he can
afford this extravaganza in gas, he s
pretty well-to-do."
He returned to the door aud made a
melton for US to come in. We entered.
Two large rooms with the folding doors
between thrown open, two Gets and a
charcoal furnace, that was all. No, not
sll, for, almost before we had fOshed
taking mental inventory Of this scant
stock, a figure moved from behind the
mosquito bar. A female figure, and one
we trust we may not look upon its like
again. A dress of blue satin, stained
and greasy, With long court train drag
ging its dirty breadths behind, two brace
let's made from pieces of red tape, were
ali the adornments of this figure. Her
face--such a face-was covered with
deep, red scars and white splotches as a
lepers and looking out Of it shone one
eye, and only one. The hideousness of
the picture startled us, and we involun-
tarily drew back. A corpse in ball
costume could not look worse.
Paying not the least attention to any
thing around her, she advanced a few
steps and made a low aud very graceful
bow. She thinks she's on the stage"
whispered the baritone. There was a
gurgling sound and then in deep,
croaking voice, she commenced in
French:
OH what do care for the world,
And what the world for me-"
There we're several stanzas, but each
ended with the above refrain. 1t was a
voice from behind the door of vault.
Unearthly, without a shadow of melody,
but yet it seemed in keeping with the
singers appearance.
Wildly gesticulating with her arms,
she kept up her song, when the baritone
asked me to step into the back yard.
Now, Monsieur, do you think she wants
medicine2 Three years ago at the Vau-
deville, in Paris, she was the star.
Everybody was at her feet, carriages
waited for her after the performance
now you see what she is The great" "
and he shrugged his shoulders, and his
mustache went up in sort of scOrnful
way, the great Mile -, the queen Of
song" another shrug, would fall, so
what she do2 The vitriol, the damna-
ton vitriol, she throw on poor Helene. -
The man stoUd silent for awhile, asif
counting the drops falling from the leaky
cistern faucet, and then went on Poor
Helene's face gone, her voice follow
and touching his forehead with his
finger--"you see the rest. She thinks
with the bright light she's on the boards.
LIE docteur say she must have medicine;
where will get itP'
who was the singer, did you say,
that threw the vitrioI2' we asked.
He placed his mouth to our ear and
whispered q name. "Impossiblep
"Vrsiment," said he. What that world
known cantatrice?" "Yes, yes; shel
shep
1t is difficult to say just what we're
our thoughts. THE great -, whom
We had sat before and followed through
all the passionate warblings in 'Lucie,
'Leonora, Marguerite and others--it
seemed impossible--throwing vitrioll"
And then we have to dethrone this song
princess from her seat in our memory.
Sad, indeed
The baritone said he would get the
medicine, and we left. The cool wind
from the river made the street lamps
flicker, and the sky overhead spoke of
approaching rain. Figures could be
seen crossing the street some distance
off, and then the raps Of the night watch
man were heard. We started for Royal
street and there followed us the husky
notes: g.
"ohl what do care 5og the world