The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-14
and Europe. who saluted him as
public benefactOr.
How Frederick the Great Cured a Prim.
Donna.

AAo" A1o''oAAoh CHe OTcdL CuFcu Prlma
Donna.
Ihere is curious story told of the
manner in which Frederick the Great
could deal where other men had failed
with prima donna of the period who
was inclined to set too little store nv
the public. This great artist seemed
to catch cold which had the effect of
rendering her hearse and consequently
unable to sing whenever anybody or
thing had displeased her.
One day a certain opera was to bb
performed at Berlin before the King
himself. At the appointed hour the
manager came forward and said
Ladies and gentlemen, we grieve to
inform you that our prima donna has
sore throat, and that the representa-
ton announced cannot therefore take
place" The stolid Teutonic audience
seemed no whit surprised, and was
moving out TRANQUILITY, when the King
rose and commanded the musicians to
keep their places. The audience sat
down again and waited patiently on
events.
In less than quarter of an hour the
managers reappeared and spoke as fol-
lows; Ladies and gentlemen, | have
the most unfeigned pleasure in in
forming you that our prima donna is
completely cured of her sore throat
and will have the honor to sing before
you tonight. Surely enough, the IA
nous singer soon appeared, and never
had she sung better. Her triumph was
complete.
The Kings prescription had been a
very simple one, The pr;ma donna,
having dismissed the unhappy mana
ger, was sitting comfortably before the
fire In her own room, and rather pleas
ed at the idea OF having spoiled the
pleasure OF several hundred Of persons
when the door was violently thrown
open, and there entered an officer, fol-
lowed by four dragons, 'Mademoiselle'
quoth the officer, ''the King my
master, has sent me to ask after your
health ''The King is very good;
| have a bad sore throat His Ma
jesty knows it, and has charged me to
take you at once to the military hos
pltal, where you will be cured in
few days. Mademoiselle turned pale.
'You are jesting,'' she simpered; but
Prusslan officers, she was Informed.
never jested. The Lieutenant gave
the order to his men, who seized
MademoiSelle and carried her out of
the theater.
A coach was in attendance the lady
was deposited therein, the officer took
his place beside her, after shouting
his address to the driver. 1.-The mill
tary hospital;' and off they went, the
dragons riding alongside. In a few
seconds: ''Stay,'' said the lady; Il
think l feel better.'' s.The King is
anxious. Mademoiselle, that YOU
should feel quite restored, and even
that you should sing tonight II
will try, murmured the prisoner.
''Back to the theater,'' cried the Off
Ger to the coachman. Arrived there,
Mademoiselle began to think she had
yielded too easily, 81 will sing, since
his Majesty commands me- she said,
''but God knows how .sYou will
sing replied the officer, ':like the
great artist you are.'' Il shall sing
like an artist with a bad cold.' Il
think not ''And why?'' Because
couple of dragons will be in attend
ance behind the scenes, and at the
least cough they have orders to arrest
you and carry you off again to the
military hospital The hoarseness
was now completely gone.