St. Landry democrat., 1879-05-03

will gain money"
This is sn easy resolution, but QUE
difficult to carry into execution. Eliezar
was youpg--s poet, painter and q
musician. But the supply of verses is
ever above the demand-pictures do not
find sale, unless they are fattered por~
traits and there are too many old com-
posers whoee works can be pilfered, for
young ones to have any chance OF success.
Poor Eliezsr! There he sat, hour after
hour, his head resting on his hands, his
eyes fixed, and the pallor of melancholy
vailing his countensnce. At last, an idea
struck him. Why could he not sing in
opera? ! l.
AsSluck would have it the manager of
the Toulouse opera house was then in
Paris, searching for a tenor singer.
Eliezar Was presented to him-sapg
few airs-and in an hours time signed
an engagement which guaranteed him
handsome income. Two days more,
and he was at the scene of his anticipated
triumph. where he Immediately began
to study and rehearse. Possessing a fine
voice and good knowledge of music, he
made rapid progress, and was soon an
nounced in the papers as vocal prodigy
who would eclipse the famous Duprez
himself. At last the evening came for
his debut. The house was packed from
pit to dome, brilliant toilettes gracing
the aristocratic boxes; while the stu
dents crowded the pit. Many fair hands
carried bouquets, and it was evident that
the debutant would meet with Aattering
reception.
Up rose the curtain, and Eliezar ap-
peared. Loud applause greeted him,
and he advanced with easy confidence to
the front of the stage; but not sound
escaped his lips. In vain did the leader
of the orchestra, with violin bow up
raised, wait the FIRST note Of his voice,
that he might accompany him. Not a
sound was herd; and the public, at
first curious, soon grew impatient. Hisses
groans and other signs of dissatisfaction
rang through the house; and at last the
curtain fell. Managers, actors and ma
chinists focked around the debutant, and
demanded the cause Of his extraordinary
silence.
The audience was indignant, and
among a volley of boots and cries was
heard the question "Is h,, dumb?'
No! The manager came before the
curtain and announced tffat he had lost
his hearing. Whereupon the public
retired, receiving their money at the
door.
Alas, it was too true. Eliezar de
Blivels was deaf. All his dreams of
vocal fame had vanished, and refusing
collection which the actors had made for
him, he set out on foot for the capital,
almost hoping that some accident would
deprive him of lie. He had but a pit.
lance left, and his misfortune was bar
rler to all employments. One afternoon,
after long walk, he sat down before |
village ale house and began to sing. The |
gathered around him, and some |
threw coppers into his hat. Eliezar de
Blivels, the great artist, who had squan-
dered so much gold, picked up the cope
pera and pocketed them with thanks.
Thus he made his way to Paris, sing
ing in the evenings at the little hamlets
where he halted, and receiving the pitt
Fui aims which the public pity accords to
Ministries. Once within sight
If the capital, however, he took courage.
Paris is the city of catastrophes and of
good fortunes-of revolutions, happy or
it is there that one may
70 seen rolling along in an elegant car.
isge, who that evening before had not
Whole pair of boots to walk in, or vice
'ersa. On entering the gates of the
metropolis, the wandering vocalist took
cart, and be hoped he might become a
ookkeeper to all apothecary or measurer
0 wood merchant.
Passing down Odeon square, he saw a {
urge man, dressed in black, who was 8
bout to write upon the wall with a
lorsel of chalk. Watching the un-
nown, he sawehim write--and with il,
reasing establishment as each su ccessiye
tier was formed: 'Eiiezar de Bliyels 6
heartless." t
Uttering a cry of rage, he rushed for. t
ard and seized the writer quickly BY v
10 shoulders. The unknown turned v
sreely around, shook of his grasp, and a
treating to the wall, used his cane to Il
ard off any further attack. Then, with t.
air Of derision, he pulled out a card. r
i'd offered it with his left hand. EIiezar o.
cepted it, and the unknown vanished. m
The artist, left alone before the in. a
riptlcn, endeavored to efiace it, but it .
In. The more he rubbed, the more tx
stinct the white letters stood out upon d.
. wall, and soon crowd collected m
'und him, Some recognized him, and q,
gan to shout in derisive tones: "EIie. ca
de Bliyels is heartless.' He WAS hs
ced at last to deslst, and to escape wi
m his te-mentors. =E"5~.~ tn
at sunrise the next day two men wi
lod face tn faca IN H.. W.