Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-05
Publisher and Proprieto
ROMANCE OF A ROzE.
How the PrimR Donna OF that
Name Buried Her Heart.


OF course newspaper reporters |
must have plausible explanation
for everything, and if one is not at |
hand "they say" will excuse a
manufactured one. / fear this lit
tie romantic idyl of unrequitcd d
love will scarcely awake the pity of
your readers for the fair songstress.
They will be more apt to laugh at
the idea Of this hunger" simplify
ing her life.
Will you give me space to tell the
cover true tale" Of her sorrows?
A tale not imaginary, but sadly
real.
Five years ago there was in Lon
don q young man from whom the
musical world expected great things.
He was an American, Fuown to his
friends as julie Perkins, but to the
public as Signor Giulio Perkins.
His voice was phenomenal and was
not yet fully developed, and it was
thought that he would surpass Carl
Formes, Toll, or any basso profundo
of the past or present. His
physique was splendid. He was en-
ergetic and ambitious, but those
who knew him intimately, knew
that in addition to the gifts of true
artist, he added the graces of a
Christian gentleman.
With all his knowledge of the
world he was as simple-hearted as a
child, and no one could see his
winning smile or feel the clasp of
his hand without knowing that his
was heart true to every noble i'm
pulse. We who knew and loved
him, awaited with impatience the
day when we should rejoice in the
grand success which we knew that
he would make in America. But,
alasl our hopes were doomed to
disappointment, for in the midst of
active work, in the old pursuit of
fame, which seemed just within his
grasp, he fell, leaving not only a
void in the ranks of true artists,
but leaving also widow, young,
lovely and equally gifted with him
self; one who not only sympathized
with him, and who was rising with
him in fame, and who, after few
raonths of happy welded life, was
left alone TO mourn, and in the
home which they had planned and
adorned, but which they had not
vet enjoyed, to await the hour ol
mother-Sgeny. That widow was
Marie Roze, and never shall we
forget the paug with which we read
the words written to us the day af-
ter his death: "My heart is broken
julie is deadl"
The circumstances OF his death
were peculiarly sad. Mime Roze-
Perkins was obliged to go to Lon
don for a few days. Her husband
was indisposed, but not considered
dangerous. kilograms kept he
daily informed of his condition
that he was comfortable; therefore
the shock to her was very great
when, on her return, she founC
him unconscious, and in few
hours he died, never having full,
recognized her. When her littl
julie opened his eyes to the ligh
she found in his eyes balm for he
stricken heart; but perhaps tn
fathers heart yearned to see tn
child whom he had never seen OF
earth, and in few short month
the fond mother was left childless
Could you read the words writtel
in those sad days, you would Sc
how true woman's heart beats be
meath the many strange gulse
which the prima donna must wea
and would not wonder that some
times the woman will show throug
the smiling mask which the arts
dare not throw off.
But the world will not suffer j
workers to stand too long idI
though in tears it loudly calle'
Alone she went forth to strive wit
the coming years.
Those of your readers who kno
the trials of the life of an actre
will not wonder that she shouI
feel the need of protection, and pc
haps if we should scrutinize close
we might find that the marriage
Mime. Roze and Mr.. Mapleson W
a matter of business interest {
both sides. Having seen the
often together ! have never yet Sc,
any lack Of a proper sentiment
b either side. A lady friend Of on
writing from Chicago says: "A
Mapleson evidently idolizes
wife, as indeed he ought to-" Sc
would seem that at least one shaI
eyed woman has not discoyert
even with ample opportunities,