The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-14
"LA FILOMELA."

London had so completely exhausted
my energies that in January, two years
ago, / was obliged to seek rest and
change. Having great faith in variety
of work as a tonic and restorative,
determined to spend some months in
Paris, where l might, if so minded,
follow up a specially in which | was
greatly interested, and yet live COM
fortably in holiday fashion with my
eldest sister, widow residing in that
cheerful capital for the education of her
two daughters.
For fortnight after my arrival | led
a lazy life, and fell into a routine which
made me the attendant of my sister and
nieces, who appeared to consider
'Uncle Paul. decidedly useful ap-
pendage. Mary and Lucy were charm
ing girls, aged respectively sixteen and
seventeen, and my sister had cause for
the triumph she felt in the success of
her mode of bringing them up, for
they were thoroughly well informed
and accomplished, and yet seemed to
be without any consciousness that their
intelligence and requirements were
above the average.
Of course 1 heard a great deal of
their instructors. They laughed at
their German master in an amiable
way; initiated the fiery Italian, whose
patriotism was the motif for most elo-
quent discourses; and pitied the Par
isian, who could not persuade herself
their accent was sufficiently pure. Their
love and admiration was reserved for
their singing mistress, for whom they
had nothing but praise so unqualified
that | saw the girls were victims to one
of those passions evoked in school days,
which, for strength and vehemence,
are often prototypes of the love of later
life.
They called this lady (whose name
was Giulia Martigny) ola Filomela,
and told me if l could but hear her
sing, should never again mention such
second rate voices as those Of the prima
dome of London, Paris and Vienna,
whose organs had hitherto been &C
customed to consider entirely satisfac-
tory.
My sister was very fond of Signorina
Giulia, but told me she would like to
know something of her history before
permitting the intimacy for which the
girls were eager.
"Does the lady encourage themp"
asked l.
"By no MEANS" was the answer;
''she discourages the slightest attempt
to establish more friendly relations;
and all know of her is that she was
trained for public singer, and has for
some reason entirely relinquished the |
career, and will only teach or perform
OF 70 tha,, c1,
is capricious in her choice of houses to |
which she will 60"
''In what wayP" inquired.
''She has never sung for any of the
Americans here, but for French. Eng
fish, or foreigners of any other nation
atty, she will always appear; and her
voice and style are really quite out of
the common. She would have succeed
ed well in public, 1 am certain
"Stranger' l said. "What belong
ings has shep'
THAT l really do not know" replied
my sister. 81 have heard her mention
her father, but l do not feel sure that
he lives with her. She never goes any
where before nine in the evening, or
stays after eleven. She has a little
and at night young maid
is always in it. She seems to
have no acquaintance, and not to wish
for any. l confess the slight mystery
piques me little, as we usually learn
the histories of the girls teachers so
quickly"
''She is probably very poor" sug-
yested |, land does not wish to display
ler want of means to all beholders"
81 think not" was the reply. 81
should judge her to be comfortably cir
as far as money goes. :"
The conversation ended, andsas l had
not seen the lady, the matter faded
from my mind. One day l came back
from visit to confrere earlier than |
as he was summoned away,
and on opening the door of my sisters
flat" l heard some one singing with
a voice so pure, so melodious, so round
and full, that | stood transfixed. The
opening words of Braga's serenata,
80 quail mi risvegliano," filed the
with wistful, longing tones,
and a soft accompaniment on piano and
violin harmonized TO perfection. 1t
was only for few bars, however, for
Lucy's little voice took up the strain,
and the spell was broken. | went to
the morning-room in search of my sis
ter, and asked if it were LA Filomela"
had heard; needless question, for 1
knew it could be no one else, and was
filed with a desire to hear her notes
again. Laura told me that most likely
she would not sing any more, as she
very seldom did so, and that her meth
ID of teaching was one of her peculiari-
ties, being conducted so much more by
orecept than example, and yet entirely
But" she added, 81 have taken
tickets for concert in aid of some
charity which is to be held at the house
If the Duchess de L'Agan' next week,
md as La Filomela' is to sing two
ongs, you had better 60 with us and
lear her."
"Willingly," l replied. at would I
,reatly please me to see the possessor
# such a voice" i
My nieces were delighted that l had
card their nightingale, and told me '
he had seated herself at the instrument
0 show Lucy it was possible to play
be song and sing it too, and had let c