Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-02


The Russians were retreating and |
encountered two of them dragging off a
cannon. Icharged them and they ran
away, so | brought the cannon to the
regiment. Marshal st. Cyr decorated
me with his own hand and promoted
me to Il lieutenantcy. Then we turned
back, and on the retreat was cap
turcd. was weak and suffering from
my irost-bitten hands and feet, and
twelve leagues from wilma | was taken
prisoner. They brought Inc to wilma,
and laid down by the fountain ex-
pectng to die. A woman came up
and said to send me to the hospital,
but it had been abandoned; so they
kept me at wilma and then sent me to
Iombotl, where | remained until the
war was over; then they set me free.
| returned to France, and arrived two
days after the battle of Waterloo.
They put me on half pay and sent me
to Nismes, where | was made adiu-
tant."
A SOLDIERS VENGEANCE.
"Why did you leave the army ?"
asked listener.
"Ah. it Is better to say nothing
about that" was the reply, as shad-
ow passed over his face. 81 was on
patrol one night when man insulted
me and slapped my face. Ldrew my
sword and ran him through and he
died. | went to my commander and
reported the occurrence. You must
not stay in France said he D.; YOU
must leave the country | had heard
Of America from my father, so | went
TO MarSeillcs and took passage on the
bark Cleopatra, of Salem, Massachu-
sets. | arrived in Boston in 1918
and stayed there two or three davs
and then went to New York. First
became travelling merchant. | got
what you call IL whcelbarrow and
bought goods, which sold to the
small shops. While / was doing this
| made the acquaintance of Major |
Noah and painted his portrait, aud |
also a picture of Napoleon crossing
the Alps. lie was much pleased and |
introduced me to the father of General |
Mcclellan, who interested himself for
me to get scholars and teach them
music. ! had forty-two scholars at
one time
SINGING WITH EApfTA
81 sang also in concerts and after |
wards in opera. | had n tenor voice .
and when Garcia came to this country
| sang with him in 1922. | sang the |
Prince in Rossini's "Cinderclla," and /
Roderigo in "Otello," and in other
operas. Afterwards ! wished to tray
el and see the country and | went as
far north as Halifax. | visited Red /
Jacket and lived with the Indians for
nearly year. Then | travelled to
South America and visited every large |
city down almost rs far as Terra del
Fuego. ! taught music and PLAYED /
and thus supported myself AMI saw
the country at the same time. | have
done that ever since and have Travelled /
all over North and South America.
In New Orleans had fine orchestra
and was married there Then nv
wife died and | came North and have .
now been living in Philadelphia for
twenty-thrce years. ! have been at /
all the theatres and led the orchestra .
at the old Chestnut Street Theatre I
years ago. was married a second .
time years ago and have four children,
two boys and two girls, all of whom
are married except one"
"Gou have heard many famous
singers in your time, Professor, who |
do YOU consider the best 2"
"To the musician there is no best.
Each one excels in some particular
manner. Those who have risen from |
the ranks have generally been superior
to the others in some respects. Garcia |
played the bass viol in an orchestra in
Milan before he sang in opera. All, |
! could fill book with "reminiscences
but 1t Is getting late and | must 60 |
to the theatre"