The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-10-21
a,IuIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
INV ORLEANS. SUNDAY. OCTOBER 81, ic'7
4 REMARKABLE FRESHMAN.
" SlGNOR FOIL"

siGNoR FOIL"
1t is not generally known that "signor Foil"
ma he ia pnblicly STYLED on the opera pro-
gTammes. at this moment the greatest basso
in the world, is an Irishmau nevertheless IL
is so. His parents were people OF very nuniole
origin who emf grated to this country years
aoo and eventually settled at Hartford, in
Connecticut.
JOHN FOLEY,
Who was but child at the time, was brought
nm in Hartford, Conn.,, and learnt the trade of
a carpenter in W hch he continued to earn bis
living until he attained the age of twenty. one.
In this capacity, it would appear from the
SEQUEL, that he unsuccessful, and that, whilst
cuitivating his voice, he was steadily earning
his daily bread by means of his adze and saw.
Mr.. Burnett. the well-known teacher of
music in Hartford, was then commencing 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. Burnett
WAS told that q man wanted to see him. 81
think he's carpenter, cir" his servant
added.
Burnett's natural Thoughts; aud tired after his
days work, he was on the point OF denying
himself-when something prompted him to tell
the servant to admit the man.
Foley entered the room in his workman's
dress, with his bag of tools slung over his
shoulder, and covered with the toll and dust
a strong brogue, he said: I" I beg your pardon,
sir. but I want yoa to try my voice.
looked up surprised. --=-=--
90 don't know how much it'll cost, but ats
no matter, pve got the money here" said he.
taking out q small row of notes, ''and you see,
sir, am at work, and can only get away just
now"
"What do you want me to try your voice
fort" il quired Mr.. Burnett, quite taken aback
at the strange proposal.
We,, y1n see, ST., sh, ing ~ I've gos goo 1000
what you say
The man was thoroughly in earnest, and
the request was so novel, that Mr.. Burnett at
once complied. He says he found the voice
very rough one, of not more than ordinary
compass, but evidently unframed, and with
possibility of developing into more power by
carpenter, this common Irshman, with his
brogue, and his bag of tools on his back,
where was he to find the means To study, aud
to what endf
"Well, sir, what dye think 7" he asked
anxiously.
How much money will it cost for lessons 7"
"My good friend, more than You could
afford, Pun afraid Decides, I've ne time to give
lessons now"
"When could you, sir, if found the money 7
know / can sing, and love music, and Pll
die before give 1t upW he added earnestly,
his features all sglow with enthusiasm.
Mr.. Burnett pondered, whilst Foley stood
beside the piano nervously twisting his fingers
1t wac o curious request, but the man seemed
SO honest, and thoroughly in earnest, that
at length he determined on the course he
"wen, my friend if you are in the same
mind this evening six months hence, come to
me at the same hour, and pll give you q les
son."
"Tbank you, sir; good evening"" and,
shoulderipg his tools, he left the room, Mr.
Burnett never expected to see hin, again.
Precisely that evening Six months, Foley ap.
peared at Mr.. Burnett's house, and was ushered
into his mushroom. "Pm here" said be,
standing bolt upright in the middle of the
room.
Meanwhile Foley's visit and his appointment
had passed away from Mr. Burpetts memory,
go that this strange appatition and abrupt sal
utation took him by surprise.
"And who may you be and what do you
want at this time of hight 7" inquired the as
founded gentleman.
@My name is Foley, and you said six months
ago you'd give me singing lesson Tonight
and here am to take it,"
Astonished at his pertinacity, Mr. Burnett
at once shook him by the hand and gave him
HIS FIRST MUsIC-LKssoN.
For six months, day by day, had Foley gone
to his regular work. At six o'clock in the
morning he commenced and with but short
meal, he worked on till six at night, his soul
buoyed up with the thoughts of what he might
some day accomplish. Whether he put
ting the shingles a roof or the jost into a
new house, through the long, weary, uninter-
esting hours which he passed at his carpenters
bench, with the plane or chisel in his hand
never, for a moment, did he let his mind won
der from its purpose. He had bought an ele-
mentary music book to learn his notes, and
afterwards melodian. He rose at four and
five in the morning to practice, and although
tired and weariod after his days work, he
studied in his simple manner each night, not
forgetting to save every cent for the time
when he shonld have to pay Mr. Burnett for
instruction. The consequence was that the gen.
tleman found the strong voice had considera
bly, improved. 1t had drawn out and ex-
tended IN compass, some of its harshness was
gone, and altogether he was fairly surprised
still he had no grounds for suppOsing that it's
possessor would ever attain to more than me
dioority.
How will 1 do nowf" inquired Foley,
somewhat anxiously, after the lesson was or er
"Well, you've improved; and I'll give you
three lessons q week, commencing from to
night, at the came hour"
"Thank you," said the stesdfast carpenter
"if you please, I'll pay you quarter in ad
vance, and he put roll of notes on the table
Mr.. Burnett was somewhat taken aback
and was about to make some protest, but be
fore he could speak Foley had seized his cap
and left the room. He had, however, moi
gone far before he remembered he had forgot
ten something. He returned, and, knocking
at the door he admitted.
HConI6 vou tell where I might find q