Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-06-06

AD AGVN bOk WAIk3S.
More than thirty wears AGO. there lived
III one OF our leading cities lady, since
"eii Known throughout thu land as a
reiSning queen IN the world of song.
She Was then young full of high soul
ca enthusiasm. pursuing her musical stu.
uies Win eager devotion. preparatory 10
appearing beIore the public as a VEGA
Inst.
Day after day the svee. notes of the
wonderful songstress woke the echses OF
the quiet streets, as she gave her whole
hear: to the noble themes which inspired
ner voice, running the different scales,
and pauslnR At viii to tTill upon any
note which struck her fancy. thSowina
out tones In frll food Of melody. until
many hasty foots:ep was arrested Al
the Passers-by paused TO listen to ths
wlfching stream.
One day, the windows being open "a
catch the cool, fresh air, the lady's at
tentiou was drawn TO the tattered figure
Of little girl, with weird face and won
der1ul eyes, Who leaned upon To win
dov-casing. Her gaze was fixed upon
the singers face, drinking in every deli
cious note with an interest in strong con-
trast with her poverty marked appear
ance.
Next day, and the next, and the next
the little thing was there occupying her
place silently, listening with untirine pa
thence to the singer, only giving a deep
sigh when each lesson ended.
Such undated interest could not fail
to attract the singers attention. One
morning she turned to her listener and
said kindly:
We'll: little one, do you like to hear
me sing?''
The small face flushed, but the child
answered without hesitation, "Yss
ma'am."
"Well, love to sing for those who
love to listen" said tho lady. "You
shalt come in and hear something better
than scales and exercises. Would you
like that!''
On, yes." The great Wild eyes kin
died as She spoke.
Come to the door. then. Or, stay,
the window is low, can't you spring in:"
One light bound, and the child was in
the elegant parlor. Stopping not for
one curious glance around. she came
straight to the piano, standing at the
lady's side.
Throwing aside the exercises upon
the rack, the songstress sang two or
three of her best pieces in her best
manner. The child stood as If she
were spell bound; only her deep, low
breath revealing her intense excitement.
DO you like thaty' said the lady,
smiling graciously upon her tiny atten-
tive audience.
oh. yes. Oh, yes. can sing little OF
the last one myself"
You CAM cried the singer. what
do you mean? How could you learn
it?''
Il heard lady sing in a hall one
night. / stood out ON a balcony and
listened. And she sang that song. re-
membered some Of it."
Let me hear you try" said the lady.
She turned to the piano, and struck the
chords. The child folded her hands
tightly around each other. drew herself
up and sang.
The lady listened q moment, pleasure
and astOnishment succeeding each other
on her countenance. Then she forgot
the chords, turned to the child, and
watched with breathless interest her exc
cution of an intricate passage, while the
childish voice, trembling with excess Of
melody, rose and fell with indescribable
sweetness on the turns and trills of the
difficult song.
When this was ended tho lady smoothed
the girls tangled hair with her white
hands saying:
There should be feathers here, in
stead of hair. No wild bird of the woods
ever warbied more naturally. Child,
God gave you wonderful voice. Would
you like to learn to use it well?"
oh, lady. Most of all thingsI
You shall, then. / am to study a
while in this city before going to Eu-
rope. If you like, you may come to me
for an hour every morning, and 1 will
teach you. Will you do 500"
''Oh. yes. oh, yes" whispered the child,
with her full heart in her voice.
You shall begin tomorrow. And now
tell me. who are you, little Oue!"
Lady, l am your washerwoEan's
replied the child.
Next day the pupil came, and a course
of study was begun, and pursued with
untiring zeal until the lady's own studies
CALLED her to Europe.
Then, with sincere regret, and many
charges to her to pursue her studies as
far as possible. the singer bade her little
proteSe farewell.
Years passed away. The lady rose
high on the threne Of song. and was
crowned with love and laurels by her
grateful countrymen.
At lergth distinguished and beloved
for glory which only age and failing
health could limit, she rested from her
ardUous labOrs, and left her profession
to seek the quiet happiness of the do
mestic circle.
Other aspirants for fame sought to
take up the laurels she had laid aside.
and with generous kindness she took q
warm interest in their success.
At last there came to the city a prima
donna who already had the world at her
feet. No small commotion was caused in
musical circles by her arrival.
A few days before the opening of the
opera season, the retired singer received
an envelope addressed in an unfamiliar
hand. from which, when she opened it.
there fell complimentary card for the
season, and note containing these
words:
December, 49,,
Dear Madam:-Years ago you took
from the streets of q great city little
Wai0s -bOaAo SoAAAs AAoAOo<
and fed her passionate love for song, and
taught her from your own kind lips.
Now. dear madam, that little child en-
treats You to honor with your presence
the, opera season during she which fills
principal role. Please, dear madam.
take the enclosed card with the grateful
thanks of
Your Washervoman's Daughter.
A moment the great lady looked at the
note ard card with intense surprise.
Then the truth came to her mind as the
tears came to her eyes the world-re
nowned prima donna was the little girl
she had taken from her window and
taught to sing.
With only less anxiety than she had
waited in her former years for her own
summons, Madam took her place
in the brilliantly lighted box prepared
for her reception, and watched for the
appearance of the star Of the evening.
She did not appear during the first act.
At the opening Of the second. the raptu-
rous burst of applause from the crowded
seats gave notice Of the coming of the
favorite.
Could it be. Was the royalty robed
woman who came down the stage with
regal step and queenly mien. the little,