Smyrna times., 1882-08-09
"And what dramatic expression p

"Superb!" "Splendidr Marvel
Gus !"
The poor Trajouska, in the midst of
this deluge of flowers and compliments,
scarcely knew which way to turn. 1t
was a genuine triumph. Later on, at
thesupper which followed, the Countess
Foricelli made her sit opposite to her,
and all the guests drank her health in
enthusiastic toasts: "To the star of
the future" "To Vittoria TrajOuska
and her brilliant destiniesw ~
"Well," said 1, turning towards her,
"a splendid career is before you. To-
morrow all Paris will echo with your
name. Will the tree upon which you
sing be good enough for you ?"
"WhO can tell ?" she answered.
Two years passed and l heard moth
ing more of my cantatrice. Evidently
she had contracted some lucrative
engagement in Russia, America or in
Italy, and l expected to see her some
day return to us in Paris, after having
obtained fame and wealth abroad.
Last Spring I happened to be in
London; one evening in going towards
the Queens Theatre, when Rigoletto
was to be performed, / happened to
think of that evening at the house OF
the Countess Foricelli, and recollec.
tiOns came crOwding upon my mind
} / recalled the frantic applause, the
} flowers and the tOasts. "What haC
: become of her?" | asked myself, il
2 walking through the noisy crowt
= which always encumbers Oxford street
: In the street hansoms whirled rapidly
. by, with their brilliant lanterns anC
t copper ornaments; Omnibuses rumbleC
Q along, while the conductor on his foot
board, holding on to the leather strap
e tried by voice and gestures, to attrac
n the passers-by; ragged men walke
c slowly along, carrying ON their should
It ers grotesque advertisements in hug
$ letters, while here and there a sti
l. policeman threw upon the crowd
l. look of benevolent protection. Sue
% denly | started. At the end of Trafa
lie gar Square, by the light of gas LAM
r, l saw Vittoria Trajouska pass by.
re She was all in black, and dressC
&c with the greatest simplicity. She a
IL peared to me to look older, but 81
&c was still beautiful. Evidently she wi
A well known, for the crowd made Wa
Sc for her as for a great celebrity. WI
Id knows, perhaps I am going to hear h
ne to-nigh in Rigoletto !"
ed | hurried forward, and was about
en- accost her when suddenly saw h
stop. She made sign to a compani'
nv whom had not noticed, who dragg
10 after him little cart on which was
piano, and who stopped in the mid(
n of Oxford street. The crowd INN
he diately made a circle as if it was gOi
to see a performance to which it "
,rb accustomed, and the policeman ma
the carriages turn out to the right a
70 left of the assemblage. l confess Il
mid l was puzzled.
am VittOria made her way through
,sic crowd, and then with the same slC
och majestic walk which she had came
ward on the stage of the Countess,
mounted the cart, and sitting on
little stool, covered with old tapest
.~o began to sing, accompanying herself
the open street. While she was 81
49, ing cabs rolled by, omnibus driy
',,a1 cracked their whips, the crowd
aao listening with open mouths to the
- quisite final air of Faust. When
.' w finished her companion took off mis-
and made the round of the Gro
reaping an ample harvest of pc
tne then he shut up the piano and whe'
MS the cart off to find some other fav
IN u BILE place to sing. Suddenly she re
VINO nized me in the crowd, and will
e OF any false pride came up to me.
MS "Well," she said, "yOu were ri
laho some poor birds are forced to sin
HIS live"