Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-29

bulit, with deep full chest and broad shout
ders to match; substantial weIl-shaped neck,
surmounted by dark cOmplexioned face. set
OIL by wel-cared for black moustache; and the
whole topped by a mop Of thickly-fibred hair,
rendered as luxuriant and glossy as cheap
grease could make it. The expression of the
face was genial and gOod-tempered, and the
eyes were bright and by no means lacking in
intelligence. He was a foreigner and obviously
an Italian, to the trained eye.
lou did ringf he asked, looking at Jones.
Yes; ahem! There you are, Bonfig, there's
your man."
ne said, twas that you singing below just
nOw3"
The servant appeared a triie sheepish and
disconnected. When people rang for him in this
way, it was generally to order bottle of beer,
or brandy and soda, not to ask him whether
he had been singing. The amiable widow lady
who owned and managed the boarding house,
objected to his making noise, and had told him
80 plainly on different occasions. His interrOga-
tor, however, did not look angry; but on the
contrary smiled most genially.
Yes, sir, " he answered, bashfully.
You have fine voice, very fine voice"
said Mr.. Bonig; "your singing gave me great
pleasure, extreme pleasure"
The unfortunate waiter scarcely knew what to
do under this running fire of praise. He shifted
his body about uneasily. and his face broke out
into foolish smile.
ga man with such voice as yours ought to
do something better than what you are doing, :"
remarked Mr.. BOnfg. SententiOusly; ''you are
wasting precious gift, my friend"
..Eh! what can l do, sir3" replied the poor
something. 81 have been a cdn,eriere all my
life; must work for my living"
''Such is the irony of fate, unused Mr.. Bonfig
in silence, cOntemplatively rubbing his nose
Here is a man with priceless jewel. and he is
too poor and too friendless to turn it to it's
onoOnnf m 1tor Er,hi pio
mute ing1Orious Donzellis have been lost to art
in this way!''
An awkward and ridiculous silence threatened
the interview. The restless Jones, who did not
in the least enter into his friend Ebenezer's feel
ings. came, however, to the rescue.
you'll drink something, Bonfig, won't your
Here, Louis, you can bring up couple of
bottles of Bass and some glasses Bass is the
best thing they've got here; can't recommend
the vines"
A quick Transformation took place, and the
nervous musician magically altered into the
brisk attentive waiter.
eyes, sir; two bottles of Bass" he said NOV
ing to the door, very glad no doubt to escape.
Ebenezer began to nurse q project in his
brain, till his meditations were interrupted
by the temperance Of Louis with the beer.
"Louis?" Bonig asked, ''is that your name7"
eyes, sir; Luigi Caffarelli; am called Louis,
because madame she give me that name"
"Wel, Luigi. here is my card, said Ebenezer,
taking out his case; "do you think you could
spare the time to give me call one evening
this week? want to have a talk with you"
eyes, sir" answered the Italian, not little
surprised.
''Let me see, to-day is Tuesday; well, say on
Thursday-would that day suit your"
Lu igi scratched his head thoughtfully. s'If
Madame will give me the permission, yes. sir"
then. We will have little serious CONVERSE
ton. That voice Of yours ought certainly to
have fair play
Jones by this time had got to look upon his
friend as sort of harmless monomaniac He
listened with shrug of his shoulders and de-
predatory shake Of his head.
Luigi, after he had drawn the corks and
poured out the beer, waited to see if anything
more was wanted, and then prepared to leave
the room.
Thursday, then, don't forget!' cried Bonfig
TO HIM, as ne went out; Il shall wait for you
all the evening""
Eyes, SIR replied Luigi. bowling at the door
He clearly did not know what to make of it all,
but there could be no harm in saying Yes sir, 50
to everything; besides, it was the only answer
that suggested itself to him.
After bidding his friend gOOd-by and on his
way home, Ebenezer developed still further the
project he had conceived. Here was he, a man
OF means. OF ample means, possessed of money
that was lying fallOw and Of no earthly benefit
to anyone; and there was poor devil of an ItaE
ioi. Win q ioHiar hdUly uno voice, only needing
culture and training to make the fortune of it's
owner. Why should not he, Bonfig. interest
himself and expend some of his superfiuous cap
ital in giving the fellow a chance? There was
the material in the shape of a voice to work
upon; the man was gOOd-lOoking- picture of
an ElYinO-and he seemed intelligent. Sup
posing he did throw away a couple of hundreds?
Count Pucke had done more for Jenny Lind;
and what would Christine Nilsson, the Swedish
nightingale, have been but for NJ. Torncrhielm?-
q street musician, peripatetic sOngstress.
wasting her sweetness on Doors in village pot
houses, instead of charming the most highly
civilized and difficult audiences in EurOpe
Sweden had given good example in two cases;
England should do the same. He, BOnhg,
would do something substantial for art He
settled in his mind who should be Luigis first
instructor, and very firmly decided upon giving
his scheme good trial. He hadn't a living rel
alive; was free to dispose of his money as he
pleased, and if his project failed he could COM
pensate Luigi in some way for loss of time and
procure him another situation.
The Italian waiter was true to his word. Per-
mission to leave his work for an hour or two
had been grudgingly granted to him; and having
substituted frock-cOat, sadly needing repairs
for his shabby waters swallow-tailed garment,
Piccadilly.
sit down. my friend" said Ebenezer, cycling
him benevOlently, 'and take a glass Of wine!
You needn't be afraid of it; tits your own Italian
Chianati. got it out expressly for YOU"
Cheered by the mild beam of Mr.. Bonfigs
glance, Luigi sat down on the edge Of a chair.
and slipped, with the air of timid connoisseur,
the wine which had been poured out for him.
81 hope you find it good" said Mr. Bonfig;
lit is generally considered pretty fair tipple; l
have had it in bottle these four years."
The Italian, not knowing how to thank his
host, took refuge in his native language, and
murmured something about the signore being
toppo b,sono.
"And now, my good friend" said Ebenezer,
II want to talk to you seriously. You were
singing very nicely the other day; need scarcely
ask whether you are fond of music!"
II am Italian, said Luigi simply.
"a fitting answer, a most fitting answer. to
be sure" remarked Mr.. Bonfg, smiling. 'sYou
are Italian, one of a race which has produced
the greatest singers and musicians in the world.
GU are italian, and like the tone of pride, the
very natural tone Of pride, in which you have
answered. Now what would-what would you
say to becoming singer?'' he added abruptly.
throwing back his head, and looking Luigi full
in the face.
The waiter, taken by surprise at this unex-
pected question, was at a loss for words He
eOntented himself with gazing vacantly on Mr..
Bonig
'Of course, don't misunderstood me-" con-
fiDnpd Ehpno2nr. hat 4