Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-22
Memories Of Parepa,

Perhaps few personal recollections
of the late Madame Parepa.Ros will
not be without interest to the thousands
who cherish her memory, and who can
not realize that she has forever passed
away.
Happening into the music store
where the tickets were being sold, she
sat at the counter looking over the lat
est publications, when a tall, cadaver-
GUS Yankee from the backwoods APP
preached the the ticket-seller and in.
quired:
Dew yeou sell them air Paripper
tickets here ?"
"We do" was the reply.
"Does she sing by ear or by note?"
was the next question; but all further
conversation was drowned in laughter.
in which the great prima donna most
heartily joined.
Upon one occasion when she was to
sing in New England city, the crowd
at the ticket ofice-which was in a
small music store-was 80 large that
every pane of glass in the counter was
broken. The poor shop-keeper was in
a state Of terrible anxiety, and feared
that he should lose his entire stock,
when large, digniied lady walked into
the store, and seeing the condition OF
of affairs, restored harmony by telling
the shopman that she would see that
he should suffer no loss, and by her
very presence quoting the entire as
semblage. It was Parepa.
After one of the concerts, at which she
had held the audience of fifty thousand
people spell-bound with her grand in
depreciation of "Let the Bright Seraph-
i'm" she was congratulated by friend
upon her wondrous singing. Not to
me does the praise belong" modestly
and sincerely replied the artist, but
to my Maker, who gave me the talent I
possess"
Her constant good nature was one Of
her fortunate heritages, and she had
the happy faculty, through her strong
magnetism, of producing harmony from
discord. On one occasion pompous
and troublesome artist refused to per-
form piece because it was placed too
near the beginning of a programme.
Never mind" said Parepa, l will
change places with him, which she
did, receiving immense applause, and
she never found that artist troublesome
again, for he saw and appreciated her
disposition to yield a little for the gen
eral good.
She pronounced the Handel and
Haydn Society the best choral organic
alton in America, and she took greater
pleasure in singing with that body than
with any other. She regarded the
members, nearly one thousand in num-
Der, almost as personal friends. One
day, at rehearsal, she inquired why
temporary flight of stairs was placed
in front Of the stage. "They are ex-
pressly for our use," was the answer.
She quickly and smilingiy answered
4" I declare I won't sing unless I can
come in uiM Tie rest of the girls"
On the occasion of a benefit to Mr..
Lothian few seasons since, Miss Meh-
lig was prevented from appearing, and
Parepa (who was sitting in private
box enjoying the performances of Lolita,
whom she greatly admired personally
and professionally, hearing of the fact,
and not wishing the BENEFICIARY nor the
audience to be disappointed, asked per-
mission to replace the absent artist, and
amid the greatest applause she appeared
in walking dress and hat, aud when the
audience had testified its acknowledge
ment of her kindness she sung, very
appropriately, As I'd nothing else to
do"
On the last day of her farewell visit
to Boston, as the writer was making
friendly parting call, the prinaa donna
very warmly expressed her admiration
of America, and said that she hoped
some day to return here and establish
an opera house of her own, where she
could give operas for four months in
the year, for four nights in the week.
Alas that the artists hopes could not
have been realized.
During this interview, Parepa sang
several songs Carl Rosa playing the
accompaniment. I was not the only
auditor, for the corridor of the hotel
was crowded with the servants. These
songs had been set to music by her hus-
band, who was too modest to publish
them, thinking that the works did not
possess sufficient merit. "What would
you do with the little man." she archly
inquired, if he would not follow good
advice?"
Her strong, unwavering devotion to
her husband and graceful Difference to
his wishes were noticed by all who
were intimately acquainted with the
happy pair. "What is the use of hav-
ing husband" she would ask, eff he
is not to tell his wife what to do, and
then let her do just as she pleases ?"
She always desired to pet every child
who came near her, and several times
she almost frightened their mothers by
darlings."
She was generous.hearted to fault.
She gave thousands of dollars in charity
without the knowledge of the world,
and nothing annoyed her more than to
have her good deeds heralded. Many
a manager has occasion to bless her
memory, and many an artist dates sue
cess from her encouragement. In her
death not only has music, but human
ity losta friend.
BAsHFULNEss.-Girls, if you want to
encourage young men, get an album.
1t is the first thing bashful young
man UrRhS for whan ho onkoro n St,or vo