The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-01-23
bIOOMoBOR RC Pa FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 1880.

slyly on delivering the letter to Jean. Both
domestics looked at one another In q know.
ing way, but said nothing. The next morn
ing before II an elegant coupe dashed to the
door of Mrs. Van Puyten's residence and
thence leaped out in state of feverish ex.
citement the well-known little figure of
Savsrez. Adelns remained closeted with
him for more than an hour. The result of
this conference became apparent the very
next day. Mysterious notices were pub
lished by the papers, limiting at the posi-
bility and even probability of an impend-
ing event Of unparalleled interest in the ar
tistic world. A few days later there appear.
ed in all the papers the following card /:
'Adlina Barberini has the honor of announc.
ing that she will give concert to the bene-
fit of the poor artist at the Academy of Mu-
sic on November 2Sth.'
The news of the impending event ran like
lightning through the city. The papers
published biographical sketches of the ar
tist, giving wonderful particulars of her for.
mer triumphs and limiting delicately at her
present high social position. In few days
every available seat in the house was reserv-
ed. Many had sent the tenfold of the actu-
al price for their ticket the stockholders
of the Academy themselves on the e1traor.
dinary and memorable occasion paid full
price for their boxes. Before the concert
had taken place the receipts had already at
tained sum which Signor Savarez declared
to be unparalleled in the annals of musical
enterprise. At length the great day came.
The programme. distributed only on the
morning Of the 2Sth, added still more to
the interest of the event. Signora Barber
mi was to appear as Marguerite,in the third
act of Gounod's Faust seconded by the
first artists of the Italian opera. Long be-
fore s o'clock the Academy was crowded to
its utmost capacity. A thrill of suspense
and of intense curiosity ran through the
house while the overture, played by the
orchestra of the Italian opera, who had VOL
unteered their services for the occasion, and
the other numbers of the programme, all
performed by exquisite artists, were being
disposed of. All the interest, all the atten-
tion of the thousands of people who cram
med the house was concentrated on that one
act of Faust which was to close the con-
cert. At length the curtain rose displaying
the well-known scenery of Gretchen's gar
den. Siebel sang his air to the flowers, Faust
lone of the few good tenors still treading on
the earth) rendered with exquisite feeling
his invocation to the dimora casta pura,
the wicked tempter Mephisto placed his
cssket of jewels on the chair then came
| some soft mellow tones in the orchestra, an
nouncing the entrance of Margaret, the gar.
den door opened, and then, like the roar oi
the ocean, there arose from all parts of the
house a deafening storm of cheers and ap
plause which drowned every other sound
| One moment the artist stopped at the door
seemingly dazzled by the enthusiasm she ex
cited, when she advanced slowly, bowling a,
| she went. When she had reached the foot
| lights the musical director, a gray-haired
veteran of the artistic world, rose from hi,
seat and, bowing low to the artistic, presented
her in the name of the orchestra with beau
tiful nosegay of white roses and volets
This was signal for new and still more
enthusiastic ovation. Following the exam
pie of the musicians and their director near.
ly the whole audience rose from their seat.
while shower of flowers was poured from
| tho prOsrepiupn hnxoo IN tho otoua Tp III.
midst of all this frenzy of applause tn,
Birberini stood motionless with bowed heaC
smile of unuttersble happiness lluminst
ing her face and big tears running down he
cheeks.
Never did the great artistic look more
beautiful. She had disdsined to follow tn
tradition, and had not cocealed under
blone wig her own beautiful black hair, ,whicl
fell into shining tresses over her shoulder
her eyes flashing with happiness, triumph
and tears, giving peculiar lustre to all he
features. She stood there in all her daz
zlng beauty, with heaving bosom, like
statute, work of art of wonderful perfeC
tion, bnt full Of passion and life. More tina
five minute elapsed before the first enthus
asm subsided so as to allow the artist to be
gin her part. How she sang it, how sfte
each air the applause broke out afresh, ho'
many times she was called before the cur
tain at the close of the 'act-all this battle
description and is still fresh in the memor
of all who have been fortunate enough I
witness that remarkable performance. Viii
the applause and the frenzy of the publ
were at the highest, nobody noticed an ol
man in shabby black coat standing at OIL
of the doors OF the parquet. With arm
stretched out toward the stage, he stoo
there sobbing like child and muttering
broken voice.
"What an angel What an angle of He
ven she isw y
At home the artistic was received with a.
} other and still more touching demonstrate
> the chorus of the Italian opera awaited h
, with lighted torches at her door and broug
) her serenade, composed exclusively of ]
r Italian national airs.
The night was far advanced when MI
Van Puyten at last found herself alone
her bedroom. She was tired out by ali h
emotion of the evening, but could find
rest. She paced about the room with ne
vous, restless step, wringing her hands, sig
ing deeply, convulsive sobs shaking fro
time to time her whole figure. A feari
1 struggle, on the issue upon which her who
future life depended, seemed to be ragi
in her brest. The pale light of Novemt
morning was breaking through the curtsi
: when Mrs. Van Puyten sat down to her
BILE and threw few hssty lines on she
g of note paper. The letter began with t
| words; Forgive me-forgive me ca
T not bear this life any longer. 1t would /
t render us both still more miserable"