The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-05-26
Two Singers.


that, with the possible exception of
poets, who, it is said, are born, not
made they who would win the COM
mendation of the world must labor in
defatigably. Few, however. fully real
ize the annoyances that obstruct the
pathway of rising talent in its efforts to
secure success.
When the sweet songstress Henriette
Sontag made her debut at Vienna, she
found there bitter enemy in the per-
son of Amelia Steininger, herself a
former favorite with the musical public,
whose excesses had told upon her health
and seriously impaired the power and
quality of her voice. But she still had
a retinue of admirers who sought in
every way to preserve her waning su-
premacy; and their venomous Kisses
were heard above the friendly roar
which greeted the debutante-actually
forcing her to leave Vienna, very much
mortified and naturally, deeply in
censed against Amelia Steininger.
Several years subsequent to this
event, while enjoying brilliant career
at Berln-where her praise was the
theme of the press and OF conversation;
where her singing filled the academies
to repletion and rendered it necessary
that those desirous to hear her engage
their seats in advance; where bouquets
of rarest flowers fell at her feet, each
night, like rain-drops; where the nobil-
ity even were pleased to drag the car
riage she occupied through the streets
she was, one morning, driving about
the city. attended by numerous cav
alters, when she heard a plaintive Aus
trian air, and turning, saw the singer
was little girl who led woman by the
hand. The celebrated vocalist ordered
her driver to halt and calling the child
to her, asked her name.
"Nannie,' was the response.
"Who is the woman you are lead
ingP"
my mother"
"What is her name?''
"Amelia Steininger.'
Amelia Steiningerr' repeated Son.
tag, in amazement.
= es. she was once great singer in
Vienna. She lost her voice, and cried
so much on account of it that she be-
came blind. Then her friends deserted
her, and now | am obliged to sing on
the streets for living, else we should
starve''
The pathetic recital brought tears to
Sontag's beautiful eyes and addressing
the gentlemen clustered around her,
she said:
Il propose to take up collection in
behalf OF an unfortunate sister who has
lost her sight. Here is my contribution
placing her purse in the hat she had re-
moved from her head. ssShall it re-
main alone?'
Immediately shower of gold and
silver filled the hat. Miss Sontag passed
to the child with the remark:
Tell your mother her friend Henri
cite Sontag will call upon her to-day"
Then she drove on.
Mamie ran to acquaint her mother
with the good fortune that had befallen
them and to give her Sontag's message,
but was unable to comprehend why it
caused her to weep so bitterly. She did
not know the remOrse in that mothers
heart occasioned by the remembrance
OF the unkind treatment which this be-
nevolent woman had formerly received
at her hands
In the afternoon, Sontag went to
Amelia Steininger's home-nothing bet
ter than hovel in disreputable Sec
tion of the city-and had a long con-
versation with her. dextrously avoiding
all topics that could suggest the un-
pleasant season in the Austrian Capital.
The next day she engaged a skilled
oculist to make an examination of the
visionless eyes and learn if restoration
OF sight was possible; but he pro-
nounced it hopeless case. A few
evenings later, she gave '.benefit for
distressed artist" the proceeds of
which placed the recipient outside the
pale of immediate want.
Thenceforth, Sontag provided for the
necessities of her former rival and her
daughter and when Amelia Steininper
died, received Mamie as her protege,
whom she educated in such a manner
as fitted her for future of independ-
ence and usefulness. - YOUTHS Conn
pa,aion.