The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-29
ANNA CAROLLA,
\ Waman Who Became Famous

QOOF or Inc tTrahQ opera HOUSE III fleuDa,
talking or exchanging words with the
other employees who passed in, keeping
the while g. sharp lockout for the mana
ger. One of the chorus singers, q young
and beautiful italian girl, standing just
within the extreme entrance, with her
mantle wrapped close about her throat,
suddenly remarked:
We must do our best tonight for the
emperor is coming a
''Is he2 How do you know2 Who told
you, Anna Carolla2''
"Ono of the band" answered Anna
Casolla, quietly. "Carl Rosenfeldt. There
he comes with his violin,
With some others OF the opera band
there approached tall, handsome young
Hungarian, who paused to answer the
girls eager inquiry: Had he said the
emperor was comings" .ss
Eyes; the imperial guards have just
passed by to take up their place at the
grand entrance. The house will be
crowded. .st 3d..
Then passing inside, he stopped to
whisper to Anna Caroila, with a smile in
his deep blue eyes: ...&
Gamma, I lead the violins tonight.
Stengai is ill., -
She put her hand in his with the sweet
perfect trust. Of one who knows she is
loved. ..a
II am sorry fox him; but Tor you, Carl,
my heart must be glsd." ~.
Here they come together!" cried q
girl outside. ".rhe manager and chef
d'orchestre. Away!"
The new leader Of the band hurried
away as the chorus trooped in, and Anna
Carolla followed them into their dress
ing.room. There she soon donned her
stage dress, and slipped away to watch
the house filling, and, above all to hear
every note Of the exquisite overture to
"0beron.' 3
How fast every place was filling from
door to gallery! The auditorium WAS
one blaze Of spleudor, and as she gazed,
the poor, friendless chorus singer, whose
dramatic talent and splendid voice ought,
if she mad only the fortune to get the
first lit, to place her high on the lyric
stage, wondered sadly If such chance
would ever come to her: if not, Carl's
father would never consent to their mar
riage. And now the whole house rose rs
the emperor entered his box, splendidly
dressed, gittering with jewels Of rarest
value, which flashed q thousand rays as
he bowed right and left with his usual
courteous grace. Then the band struck
ND the overture, and with the last bar the
curtain drew up. ets
Fitting here and there during the per-
formance, with eyes and ears for every
thing, the manager noticed the imperial
visitor indicating to a gentleman beside
him some one In the chorus. It was An
na Caro!la, whose beauty had attracted
his eye, whose rich voice his ear had
caught above and through all the others.
The first act went splendidIy, and the
second act soon commenced; but fate
had decreed that it should never be play
ed ont that night. Half wav through, as
the manager, pleased and complacent,
was quietly stan ling back in one of the
wings, he suddenly felt his arm grasped,
and turned sharply to see Anna Carolla's
lovely face, so full Of determination and
character, at his SIDE. t
''Hush," she said, very low and quietly
tsmake no exclamation, but go and see to
it before it gains or is discovered. The
theatre is ON fire somewhere back Of the
green room. The company can leave by
the stage door. Go"
alarm, look at that house. They will be
crushed to death in their terror and
crowding to get out"
Listen said the italian, in the same
calm. self-contained manner. s'Send the
call boy to tell the door]<eeper to order
each one as they pass out to depart quick
ly. ! will clear the house quietly"
"You do that"
.'Yes; here is the boy; send him, and
clear out the company; twill do my
part" "%r
The manager blindly obeyed the strong
will and steady purpose OF the master
mind; as people in emergency generally
do, whatever their relative positions in
the world.
Anna Carrolla passed on to the stage,
and advancing at once to the footlights,
stood for one moment, her tall, com
manding form and beautiful head drawn
erect, upfinchingly facing that crowd,
meeting full even the ostenished gaze Of
the emperor himself, and the wondering
look of her lover in the orchestra below
her.
Then she said, in voice not loud, bu!
clear as q bell, with cool, steady author,
ity in every measured accent:
"T am here by the managers orders
His Imperial Majesty has been robbed
tonight Of a rare diamond, and the thief
is in the house. Every one" and the
speakers dark eyes swept the audience
from gallery to pit, is at once to with
draw quietly and in order; any one at.
tempting to remain will be immediately
arrested. The band will also retire d,
once,p
Even as she spoke her ear, painfully
strung for the sound, could hear tht
warm hum of flames from the back !. but
unnloved. she stepped baek, swept deer
obeisance to the audience and emperor
aad the-cnrtain fell.
The emperor instantly left his boz
whispering to the gentleman to whom hs
had before pointed out Anna Carolla:
Y There IS something behind al this
4 Il am not robbed. Send Colonel Berg
man round to summon the manager Il
ol1r carriage door"