Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-04-04
ROSINA SALVATI.

. Ou bnC CSt6tC VI SOuht L \ ~
natl. about mile outside of the beau
tiful city of Naples. stood an humble
cottage, the abode of poor basket
maker. The occupants consisted of an
old man, Luigo Salvati, and his beauti-
full daughter, Rosina. The interior of
the cottage was neat and clean, though
scantily furnished. Baskets and osiers
were piled up in one corner of the
room, and seated ON low stool, with
troubled countenance. was the old man,
with Rosina at his knee.
My child. said the father, to-day our
quarters rent is due, and have no
money to pay it. Count Fernando will
put us out, and then what will become
of usf l care not for myself, but for
you, my child.
Do not be discouraged, father,
answered Rosina; yet, if he does, we can
gain living on the streets of Naples.
Just then there was loud knock at
the door, and the figure of Count Fer
nandO darkened the portal. He was a
short, thick. disagreeable looking man.
whose whole face betokeDed avaIice,
cruelty, and wickedness.
Well, my pretty dear. how are you
to-day he said. addressing Rosina.
The maiden made no reply, but
turned her head away. Receiving no
answer. he 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 to- morrow, answered
the count.
Have mercy, noble sir, if not for me
for Rosina.
None, cried the connt, 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. will not press you
for an answer now, but will give you
two months to decide. will make an
easy life for You and her. But if you
refuse, out you go to find your living
among the swine! Think well of this
till 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 offerf
Father, said Rosina, the alternative
is rather hard, but sooner than be the
wife of Count Fernando ! 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 for the future. have
plan which will now tell you. IOu
know the brothers at the convent have
often praised my voice. and told ME
would become a great singer. | shall
go tomorrow 10 Father Baptiste, 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 blessing,
sent her home. The hardest thing of
all was the parting from her father, but
that was accomplished at last, and 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, he gave
her chair and invited her to sit down.
1t seems you have just come in time
as am in a aqusndary. One of my sim
gers fell i'll this morning, and j am left
without nybody 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 commemorate to sing one of those
touching ballads for which Italy is so
famous. When she had finished. the
conductor almost overwhelmed her
with his praises. This infused new
vigor and confidence in RosiDa.
We rehearse IN few moments. spoke
the conductor, and you will have to
participate, so as to get used 10 your
part. As you have no wardrobe, ! will
procure suitable dress for you.
After rehearsal, Rosina sought out an
amt 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 the night to
come; but at length it came, and with
it its attendant excitement. She wen
ded 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 stu
alton, and placed among a company
who had been accustomed to the stage,
whereas this was her first essay in this
line.
Soon the orchestra commenced the
overture, and her excitement increased.
Then the conductor went before the
curtain. and informed the audience,
that one of the singers was i'll, and of
Rosina's appearance in her place. The
audience, with whom the absent songs
tress was favOrite, and to whom Ros
sina was stranger, met this announce
meDt with misses and groans. The con-
ductor brought Rosina out in the midst
of this storm of disapprobatiOn, and
introduced her to the audience. When
she beheld that vast cOncourse before
her she felt faint, and all her courage
seemed TO foIsake her; but with mighty
effort she recovered, and commenced
/ to sing. The vast concOurse grew still
as death, as if bound by spell; but
when she had finished, they found re
lief in one grand outburst of applause,
Rosina had achieved grand triumph:
and she was compelled to appear time
after time. until she could sing no
more.
Night after night this continued. un-
til ROsina had entirely supplanted their
former favorite, the name of Rosina
Salvati became known all over Flor
ence. She was sent for by the arch
duke, and invited to sing at the castle.