Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1876-08-18
A Prlma DOnnas Revenge.


Sontag. began her musical career she wa
subjected to the same annoyances ant
struggles that rising talent generally md
obstructing its pathway IS 1t would rac
over the burning sands Of life to tn
haven of fame and fortune. Nevertheless
her debut in Vienna was most brilliant
spite of the enormous sea of opposition
that greeted her; yet the encouraging
roar of the lions could not entirely drown
the Kissing of the snakes.
One of the most venomoss OF thes'
was the failing favorite of the public, bu
still powerful rival, Amelia Steininger
whose vocal octave had been considerably
aud reduced BY dissipation, but sh'
counted scores of admirers who wert
ready to defend her by every means
fair or foul, in their power. nd eventual
" succeeded in driving the dangerous RI
val of their ''Steininger'' from the field.
Chagrined, if not Inundated, Sontae
left Vienna, harboring anything but
friendly feelings towards Amelia Steinin
ger. Some years later, while she wa
in the glory Of her trlumphs, singing
with the great tenor, JAEGER, and tho new.
er-to-be-foYgotten buffo. Spitzeder, u
the Royal Theatry, Berlin, where her
sweet warbIing made her the Catalonia OF
her day, where tongues and pens oil
moved in her praise, the gardens were
robbed OF their blossoms, and the florists
of their buds and exotics, to testify to
the enthusiastic admiration of the charm.
ing songstress, when old men lifted her
into her carriage that her dainty feet
might not be soiled by the dust Of the
earth, and young men dragged the con-
veyance through the streets to her hotel
Truly she was the Catalonia of her time,
only she possessed what the Gypsy waIb-
lsr did not-bcauty and virtue.
One morning during this time, accom-
panied by number of gallanis. she was
riding along one Of the main streets of
Berlin, she was attracted by hearing an
Austrian song, familiar from childhood
and home. sung on the street corner BY u
little girl about six years cd, who led by
hand forlorn looking blind woman. II
was q sad and touching air, snd the hap
py csntstrice Immediately ordered her
coupe to be halted, called the little singer
to her, and said:
"What is your name, my wee Austrian
echo?"
..'Nannie," the child replied, with al
strODp Vienna accent
''And who 10 the blind woman With
your"
My poor blini mother, lady"
'And what is her name?''
''Amelia Steininger, lady"
.sAmelia Stelninger!" exclaimed Son.
tag, in geeat surprise.
"Yes, lady, my mother was . great
singer in Vienna long ago, but she lost
her voice, and then she wept 20 much
that the light went out of her eyes; then
our friends turned away from %, and
when they were also gone We were
obliged to beg our way, or die Of hun.
ger"
Tears welled from the kind and eener.
our heart Of the fortunate woman Is she
listened to the pathetic story OF the little
one-tesrs of genuine sympathy. She
turned to the gallant gentlemen, who
gathered about her ike satellites around
their star.
."Gentlemen,' she said, the pearliagI
drops Of heart dew gI,stening in he beau
dfol eyes, ''perm,t me here on this public
place to take up collection for IN un-
happy sister of whom God has seen fit To-
take his greatest gift. the gift of sight
Here y my purse; do not allow 1t 70 re-
main companionless in the hands OF this
poor child" Ii
IL an instant the gold and silver coin|
Fsined upon the overjoyed liitle girl.
who imagined an angel had come to 70.
lteve her mother from poverty and
care.
Nov tell me, Mamie, where do you
liver
The child give the address.
''Give your mother my love, and tell
her her old friend, Henrietta SOutag, will
10 herself the pleasure Of hunting herI
up this afternoon and having little chat ~
With her."
Crying with joy, the child ran to her|
mother with her good luck, and repestedl
3ontag's words; but she could not under. .
tand the violence of the impetuousI !
'urst of tears that fell from the blind
yes. to be followed by the remorseful|.
obbinG Of her who once drove this
enetactrsss from her native city With
uses.
Sontsg came according to promise.
'rineing skillful oculist who, after the +
zamination, shook bis gray head. He|
I'D no relief for the black cataract thstlol
I'd up 70 that time obstinately resisted
XII.
With delicate consideration tho CONVEX. 3
ltton was led from subjects that would = =
'ceu those days In Vienna With heart =
It expressions Of good will, sontag left
q former enemy and rival. The follow &
= week . rousiDg hene6t ''for Q de ~
sssed artist" was given. 6outag . q
'higenie filing the house. and also the 81 3;
arse Of the blind woman. Until hes|Ha
nth Henriette 6ontag cared fos her; III
zen her daughter became her gratefulto
otege, and received . liberal education. !nl
Ut attsd her for ~ independent future.
he Numbering nightingale LETT manyf
burning hearts, bot none who loved her,
|tter Ct more gratefully than this girl, -
i
a cloud burst In California recently.I
n drowned thirteen Chinese voodch0n,I