Sharp County record., 1877-10-19
[From the Boston Pilot

rate stage ana the fashlOnaDle Salons
of Europe.
[trom the Boston Pilot
1t is not generally known that "Sig
nor Foil" as he is publicly styled on
the opera programmes, at this moment
the greatest baSso in the world, is an
Irishman; nevertheless it is so. His
parents were people of very humble
origin, who emigrated to this country
years ago, and eventually settled at
Hartford, Conn. John Foley, who was
but child at the time, was brought up
in Hartford, and learned the trade of a
carpenter, in which he continued to
earn his living until he attained the age
of q. In this capacity it would appear
from the sequel that he was successful,
and that, while cultivating his voice, he
was steadily earning his daily bread by
means of his adze and saw.
Mr.. Barnett, the well known teacher
of music in Hartford, was then begin
ming his successful career, and to his
early tuition may be mainly attributed
the successes which Foley achieved in
after years.
One stormy evening in winter Mr..
Barnett was told that man wanted to
see him. 81 think he's a carpenter,
sir,n his servant added.
"What can he want with me?" was
Mr.. Barnett's natural thought; and,
tired after his day work, he was on the
point of denying himself-when some
thing prompted him to tell the servant
to amt the man.
Foley entered the room in his work
mans dress, with his bag of tools slung
over his shoulder, and covered with the
toll and dust of his days work. Ad-
dressing Mr. Barnettin strong brogue,
he said:
q beg your pardon, sir; but | want
you to thry my voice."
Barnett looked up surprised.
II don't know how much it'll cost,
but that's no matter, I've got the money
here, - said, he, taking out roll of
of notes, "and you see, sir, I'm at work,
and can only get away just now"
"What do you want to try your voice
for?" inquired Mr.. Barnett, quite taken
aback at the strange proposal.
"Well, you see, sir, think I've got a
GOOD voice, but don't know, and I'd
like to hear what you say"
The man was thoroughly in earnest,
and the request was so novel that Mr..
Barnett at once complied. He says he
found the voice a very rough one, of not
more than ordinary compass, but evil
IDENTIFY unframed, and with possibility of
developing into more power by careful
teaching and study. But then this car
penter, this common hishman, with his
brogue and his bag of tools on his back,
where was he to find the means to
study? and to what end?
"Well, sir, what 'ye think?" he ask
ed anXiOusly.
Mr.. Barnett told him frankly his
opinion.
"How much money will it cost for
leSsons?n
"My GOOD friend, more than you
could afford, I'm afraid; besides, I've
no time to give lessons now"
"When could you, sir, if | found the
money? know can sing, and love
music and I'll die before | give it up!"
he added earnestly, his fine features
aglow with enthusiasm.
Mr.. Barnett pondered, whilst Foley
stood beside the piano, nervousl y twist
inc his fingers. 1t was curious re-
quest, but the man seemed so honest
and so thoroughly in earnest, that at
length he determined on the course he
would pursue.
"Well, my friend, if you are in the
same mind this evening, six months
hence, come to me at the same hour,
and I'll give you lesson.n
"Thank you, sir; good evening""
and, shouldering his tools, he left the
room, Mr.. Barnett never expecting to
see him again. Precisely that evening
six months, Foley appeared at Mr.. Bar
nett's house, and was ushered into his
music-room. "I'm here,n said he,
standing bolt upright in the middle OF
the room.
Meantime Foley's visit and his ap-
pointment had passed away from Mr.
Barnett's memory, so that this strange
apparition and abrupt salutation took
him by surprise.
"And who may you be? and what do
YOU want at this time of night?n in
auired that astounded gentleman.
"My name is Foley, and you said six
months ago you'd give me a singing-les.
son to-nig ght- and here am to take it. "
Astonished at his pertinacity, Mr..
Barnett at once shook him by the hand
and gave him his first music lesson.
For six months, day by day, had Fo-
ley gone to his regular work. At six
O'Clock in the morning he commenced,
and, with but short half hour in the
middle of the day for his meal, he work
ed on till at night, his soul buoyed up