, 1876-07-30
Two Variety Companies Oc-
cupy the Chicago Field.
Proposed Formation Of an
Actors Association.
Gossip of American and
European Green
Rooms.
MUSIC.


MlGo 6llf1llA ADDO L.
TEE TRUE STORY OF THE NEW AMERICAN PR1MA
DONNA.
Special Correspondence Of The Tribune
NEW YORK, July 27.-The successful debut Of
Miss Emma Abbott, the new American soprano,
in 81 La Figlia del Rcggimento " at Coveut Gar
den Opera, On the evening Of May 2, has led to q
widespread desire to know more Of this young
debutante, who bids fair to attain to the highest
rank in one OF the most exacting and difficult Of
professions.
Emma Abbott was born in Chicago in 1850.
The family we're in humble circumstances, her
father earning precarious living as music
teacher. Emma's birth occurred gear before
the visit Of Jenny Lind to America The first
words she ever spoke were, "Jenny Lind"
whose engraved likeness adorned an
empty packing-box, used in the hum
bile home as an article Of furniture This
packing-box and portrait became the shrine OF
the chill's Idolatry. "Get up, Pa, you are sit
ting on Jenny Lind ~; such a proclamation nci-
ther wcariucss nor necessity could excuse in the
eyes Of the young deyotee. At 9years Of age
Emma made her first appearance at a public
concert given by her father At Is, hundred
miles from home, in strange town, she thought
to give concert alone She secured j hall,
knd-heartcd printer furnished hand-bills,
which, with her own hands, she posted and cir
culatcd about the streets, and an audience, at
tracted as much by sympathy as curiosity,
greeted her rs she appeared on the platform
with her guitar slung over her shoulder. The net
result-after paying all expenses-was ten dol
lars, which was Immediately sent to her mother.
From this time forward her life and earnings
we're devoted to her parents. Giving concerts
with her father, keeping school in Peoria, Ill.,
IN engagement she walked Is miles through
mud and slush in late autumn to sccure,-a
subsequent tour with i concert troupe, followed
by bEavely
STRIKING OUT ALONE WITH HER GUITAR
at the age OF 1G, when for two years she
trayersed many Of the Western States and part
Of Canada, singing in churches and concert
halls when able to secure them; when refused
these, in hotel parlors, or music stores, at
such times taking up contributions from
her auditors. Whatever she received was
sent to her mother. She reserved
for herself only money enough to pay
her way to the next town, hope and faith al
ways cheering her forward. OF slight stature,
thin, pale, blue-eyed and fair-harcd, clad in the
p1ainest Of dresses, crowned with a little round
hat without flower or ornament Of any kind,
guitar in hand, like another s. Maid a1arien,'' OF
whom Mary Hewitt sang.
Success in one place would be followed by dis
appointment in another. Not unfrequent1y
she was compelled to leave her guitar with ho-
tc1-kcepcrs as security for her supper, lodging,
and breakfast, though occasionally, to the
credit of human nature it must be said,
landlord was found who refused the proffercd
security. Always with her first success these
little debts would be discharged. On one occa-
sion Railroad Superintendent, whom she inter-
ested i'll her voice, gave her 4 free pass to New
York to hear Parcpa sing. During this brief
visit East she made repeated attempts to see
Barnum. She had read in Barnums autobiog-
raphy OF his bringing Jenny Lind to America.
She thought it she could sing for Baruum he
might give lcr 4 musical education. Day after
day she went 10 the Museum, but Barnum was
away. She was finally told to come on a Ter
lain day, but her money was gone, and
she was obliged to leave the city,
her hopes dashed to the ground.
Years later, when she had become the soprano
III Dr. Chapin's church, she was introduced to
Barnum, who made party for her at his Fifth
Avenue home, when she told the story Of her
Erievous disappointment in not finding him
years before.
Au1TTER SERIES OF D1sApPo1sTMESTs
brought Miss Abbott's couccrt-earcer to close,
and herself to the verge Of desperation, at the
aye VI is, ut Toledo, O. Here the fricndlcss
and heart-crusked girl met Clara Louise kel-
logg, who, upon hearing her sing, at once offer
cd to assume the expense OF her musical train
ing. and sent her to New York with letter to
Signor ErTanj,-her Own singing master.
Miss Kellogg placed Miss Abbott in
charge Of q gentleman coming to New
Yurll, who, after leaving her ut boarding.
house, called upon friends living near, and asked
them to go around and call upon the young
stranger. The liind-hcartcd ladies found the
poor child had cried herself to sleep in her lone
ly little room- The next day one OF the ladies'
mentioned sent for Emma Her hair was cut
short iu her neck, her eyes were red and swollen
with crying, and her scant dress suggested i'll
adequate clothing. 4 sympathetic scrutiny re-
vcaled the fact that she was almost entirely
against the wintry weather,-a
condition Of things consequent upon her send
ing all her earnings to her mother, restricting
herself to the barcst necessities. Her new
friends supplied her needs, aud q few evenings
later invited number OF ladies and gentlemento
hear the young Western girl sing. She stoutlY
declined any other dress than her own humble
alpaca, and without gloves or ornament OF any
kind save pinclbcck earrings which she
thought beautiful. because her father gave them
tc her, she stood up, and with no. accompani-
uent sang her simple Western songs. Among
The guests was S;guor Giorza, the favorite
pianist Of the Emperor Maximiiian, who pro-
nounced Miss Abbott's voice the finest in quail
lty he had heard in America
MISS KELLOGG GAVE MISS ABBOTT,
omoug other letters Of introduction, one to
clergyman, who subsequently said she reminded
him at this period Of 3 colt, with unshorn name,
and fctlocks tangled with burrs and briars, just
brought in from the prairics
Within year Miss Abbott was engaged for
he choir Of the Madison Avenue Baptist |
Church Or. Elder's).. She rapidly made friends.
A gentleman gave an entertainment to Mr.. |
lanes McHcnrg, the English railway magnate,
rho was then visiting the United States. Miss |
Abbott sang, aud excited great interest in Mr. !
icHcnry, who offered to send her to Europe !
nd provide the best masters for her. This |
,frer she declined. The following year Miss |
Abbott was secured as soprano at Dr. Chapin's |
,1urch. She entered the church comparatively |
unknown. Her first solo caused every one in |