Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-04-14
A "REMINISCENCES OF pAREpA ROSA.

The season Of music WIS closing. Sataated
with praise, Parepa Rosa drew her fur wrap
private entrance Of the "Grand," was about
to enter her carriage when ''Please, mi ladi,"
In low pleading accents, arrested her atten-
tion. 1t was only the shrunken, miSshapen
with his old violin under his arm; but the
face upturned in the gsslight, though pale
and pinched, was as delicately cut - cameo,
while the eager, wistful light In the great,
brilliant eyes, the quiver Of entreaty In the
| soft voice held her for moment against her
escorts endeayor to save the annoyancs Of
hearing beggar's plea.
SWELL" said the great singer, half impa-
would mi ladi please ," in .wes. broken
dwarf held up fragrant white lily, with Q
crystal drop in Its golden heart.
"Do you mean this for me p A passionate
gesture was his answer. Taking the flower
Parepa Rosa bent her stately head. "You
mi ladi, 1 hid under the stair. Twas yes
terdav heard the voice. oh, mi ladl, mi
| ladi, could die!" The words came broken
~ from qnivering lips passionately In earnest.
| The loud voice Of the world she had just LEFT
had ne, or shown Parepa Rosa the power Of
| her grand voice as she saw 1t now in these
| soft, dark eyes aname, and in the sobbing.
| broken words. "Mi ladi, oh, mi ladi, I could
| die!"
"Child," and her voice trembled, meet me
here tomorrow ut o." and holding the lily
caressingly to her cheek she stepped into her
carriage and was drt en- away.
! It was Parepa Rosa's last night. In boz
near the stage sat little Eldu like one entrane.
ed. Grandly the clear voice swelled its tri.
| umphant chords. aud rang amid the arches
| with unearthly power and sweetness. The
| slight frame Of the boy swayed and shook.and
a look SO rapt, so intense, came on his face,
you knew his very heart was stilled. Then
the wondrous voice trllled softly, like tho
faint sound Of bugles in the early morn;
| tant chimes Of 'cspsr bells. Encore after en-.
core followed. The curtsin rolled up for the
last time, and as simply NJ possible the msna-
ger told the audience Of last nights Incl
dent and announced that Parepa Ros8's fare
well to-. them would be the simple ballad
warbl. d many bitter day through the city
streets by little Elfn, the Italian musician.
Long and prolonged was the applause, and
at the first pause, sweeping with royal grace,
came our queen Of song. At her breast was
the frag ant lily. Queen, too, by right Of her
beautiful, unstsined womanhood as well q.
= moment, then sang clearly and softly the
ballad with its refrain Of "Fsrewell, sweet
land" Accompanying her came the low,
sweet wall Of little Elfn's violin. There was
silence In the great house at the close, then .
shout went out that shook the mighty pillars.
A whisper being heard that Parepa Rosa
meant to educate the boy musically, the gen.
erous hearts Of afew opened the gates oftfor-
tune for little Elm. To-day he 10 great and
famous, "the boy viOlinist, !" and they call him
/, to play before princes.
Parepa Rosa! God called thee In thy per.
feet womanhood, but thy voice lives In our
hearts, and at the last great day 1t shall b
written In shining letters on thy name: "In-
asmuch as ye did 1t unto the least Of these, "
did It unto me.| .t