McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-01-03
Lucca's First SINGING.
Boston Musical Observer.

Boston Musical Observer
The following account of the original
debut OF Lucca comes to us from a gen.
tieman who heard the recital from her
own lips:
When the great singer was but lit
tie more than nine years of age, she
was sent to boarding-school in which
the rest of the scholars were much older
and the children of much weather.
parents than she. The result was that
she was the object of many impositions
and Sights; and when it came to the
singing lessons, for which an extra
charge was made to such pupils as pur-
sued the study, she was utilized to hold
The music for her more favored school
mates. At last the great examination
day approached, and throughout the
school all was hustle and preparation.
A certain toilet was prescribed for all
the schOlars-one that somewhat taxed
the limited means of Lucca's mother
and the music pupils had several songs
drilled into them for the occasion. The
examination day arrived, and a large
audience of parents and friends gath
cred to enjoy the exhibition of progress
made by the pupils. Lucca occupied q
back seat, and, not expecting to be
called upon to answer any questions,
she was greatly confused and never
knew what answer she had made when
the stern examiner did chance to
ask her a single question. At last the
class Ill music was told to come for
word. At this moment Little Lucca
happened to espy in the audience her
poor mother, with tears in her eyes and
u sad and regretful expression on her
face. The sight went deep into the
heart of the little girl and at once the
thought came te her, "What can [ do
to please mamma?" Almost with the
thought came the answer: 1.-The exam
nation is all over but the singing. Go
forward with the singing class. You are
familiar with all the songs, and can
sing any of them" Lucca's resolu-
ton was made and acted upon at once;
and, to the dismay of the principal of
the school, she stood up with the half
dozen other aspirants for honors in
music. After these had sung the vari-
Gus pieces to which careful preparation
had been given, the examiner turned to
Lucca and said, 'Well, my little girl,
what can you singP" 81 can sing any
of those songs" she replied timidly.
"Sing the last one, them" said the ex-
aminer. Lucca was disappointed, for
this was q very simple and insignificant
song, and she wanted to sing the cave
Maria;'' but without hesitation sho
sang the piece in such a man
ner that examiner and audience
were wholly surprised, and the lit
tie songster's mother was smiling
gladly through q shower Of tears. With
an inspiration worthy of an older and
q stouter heart, Lucca saw an OppOrtu-
nifty to ayenge the impositions and in
suits that she had so long suffered, and
her heart throbbed wildly as she said,
"Please, sir, I'd like to sing the ave
Marie?'" "I'm afraid its too difficult
for you," replied the examiner kindly;
'but you may try it." With q feeling
that she was to do or die, but strong in
the confidence of her ability to carry
out her design, and encouraged by her
mothers proud and almost ecstatic
look of happiness, she sung the cave
every note, her eyes brimming with
tears; and SO lost was she to all about
her that when she ceased singing she
neither heard the tumultuous applause
that shook the school room, nor saw
the tears that glistened in every eye
and rolled down the cheek of many q
listener, but stood motionless until she
was recalled to her senses by feeling
the warm breath of the examiner as he
kissed her, while the tears coursed
down his cheeks in an unchecked flow,
and he said, in tones tremuloCs with
emotion, "My dear little girl, you have
sung like an angle from heaven