Middletown transcript., 1877-04-07
Selrtt Sturp.
ROsINA sALvITA.


On the estate of Count Fernand
Carnati, about a mile outside Of th
beautiful city Of Naples, stood an hum
Bile cottage. the abode of poor baske
maker The occupants consisted of a
old man, Luigo Salvati, and bis beauti
full daughter. Rosina. The interior 0
the cottage was neat and clean, thougl
scantily furnished. Baskets and osier
were piled up in one corner of th
room, and seated on low stool, will
troubled countenanee, was the old man
with Rosina at his knee
My child, said the father, to-day oul
quarters rent is due, and | have nt
money to pay it, Count Fernando viii
put us out, and then what will become
Of US? l care not for myself, but for
you, my child.
Do not be discouraged, father, ans
wered Rosina; yet, if he does, we can
gain living on the streets Of Naples
Just then there was a loud knock at
the door, and the figure of Count Fer.
nando darkened the portal. He was a
short. thick, disngreeable looking man,
whose whole face betokened avarice,
cruelty, and wickedness.
Well, my pretty dear, how are you
to-day be said, addressing Rosina
The maiden made no reply, but
turned her head away Receiving no
answer, be turned to the old man.
Have you my rent to-day, Luigo?
Count Fernando. am sorry to say
| have not, answered the old man
Then out you go tomorrow ans
wered the count.
Have mercy, noble sir, if not for me
for Rosina.
None, cried the count, unless you ac-
cede to what | now propose to you -
Give your attention, that you may hear
all | have long regarded your daughter
with much favor, and would like to
make her my wife l will not press you
for an answer now, but will give you
two months to decide. l will make an
easy life for you and her. But if you
refuse, out you 60 to find your living
among the swine! Think we'll of this
till l come for my answer.
Then he left the cottage, mounted
his horse, and rode away
For full FIVE minutes not word was
said by father or daughter, but at last
the old man spoke.
Rosina, my child, what do you think
of this offer?
Father, said Rosina, the alternative
is rather hard, but sooner than be the
wife Of Count Fernando l would gain
our bread by singing on the streets of
Naples. hope it will never come to
that, but let US trust to God and our
own exertions of the future. l have
plan which | will now tell you. You
know the brothers at the convent have
often praised my voice, and told me
would become great singer I shall
60 tomorrow to Father Baptisto, the
prior, and ask his advice
Little sleep came to the eyes Of father
and daughter that night. The next
day ROsina went to the prior, and
stated her case to him. He advised her
by all means to go to Florence, and
gave her money to pay her expenses.
He also gave her letter to Signor
Marti, conductor Of the grand dukes
opera, and then, giving her a blessing,
sent her home The hardest thing of
all was the parting from her father, but
that was accomplished at last, aud soon
she was in. diligence on her way to
Florence. When she arrived there she
at once presented herself to Signor
Marti. After reading the letter, be gave
her chair and invited her to sit down
It seems you have just come in time
as l am in a quandary. One of my
singers fell i'll this morning, and l am
left without anybody to take her place
| see BY Father Baptiste's letter that
you have an extraordinary voice. Let
me hear you sing, spoke the conductor.
Rosina commenced to sing ore Of
those touching ballads for which Italy
is so famous. When she had finished,
the conductor almost overwhelmed her
with bis praises This infused new
vigor and confidence in Rosina.
We rehearse in few moments, spoke
the conductor, aud you will have to
participate, SO as to get used to your
part. As you have no wardrobe, l will
procure suitable dress for you.
After rehearsal, Rosina sought out
an aunt of hers in Florence, and was
soon among her relations. The day
seemed long to her anxious mind, and |
she was impatient yet fearful for tho
night to come; but at length it came,
and with it its attendant excitement
She wended her way to the theatre,
where she was met by the conductor,
who led her to the green room She
was nervous and trembling, being new
to the situation. and placed among
who had been accustomed to
The stage, whereas this was her first
essay in this line
Soon the orchestra commenced the
overture, and hel excitement increased
Then the conductor went before the
curtain, and informed the andience