Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-12
The Pearl OF Nevada.

car and entered the ladies' parlor of
the hotel. The elder of the two was
dressed very plainly. though tastefully.
and with western accent went up to
an attache of the house and asked for
Nile. Nevada
''She has company, and cannot be
disturbed" said the attendant, who
supposed the old gentleman to be some
one who had called to satisfy a curiosi-
ty and see the famous singer.
But [ want to see her." persisted
the stranger.
''Well, sir, she cannot see you, I tell
you" said the servant; ''she is enter
tanning her friends"
well, | guess my little Emil see
me-" unused the old man. And then
aloud: ''Will you give me card?'
The ladies in the parlor began to ex-
change chances in a way that seemed
to say that precious morsel had fall
en- to them to gossip about The west
ern man, without taking any notice of
the company about him, seized the card
and taking a pencil from his pocket
dashed off his name in careless hand,
and, passing it to a call-boy, said:
u axe that to Miss Nevada.
The boy took the card and present
ing himself at the Iady's door. handed
it to the prima donna. She took it
carelessly from the salver. In a mo-
ment her eye caught the name, Duff
Brown.
She gave a cry of delight, and
seemed to forget entirely the presence
of the boy, who stood waiting for a
reply, and the surprised look of the
fashionable guests. Suddenly, as if
collecting herself and remembering the
visitor who was awaiting her answer
below, she babe the boy bring the
gentleman with all possible speed to
the parlor, which was a part of the
suite she occupied. The boy disap-
peared down the stairs.
Presently Duff Brown made his APP
pearance, and as he rather hesitatingIy
crossed the threshold the young lady,
setting aside all formality. with a
bound crossed the room and flung her
arms about the neck of the old man.
In her ecstasy she fairly smothered
him with kisses and Rugged him again
and again. Then she led him into the
room and insisted on his sitting in
front of her where she could see him.
The young favorite became so en-
crossed in her new guest and his well
fare that all the others were forgotten,
and one by one they took their depart
ure, leaving Emma, her father Or.
Wixom), Duff Brown and his compan-
ion alone.
The story of Emma Wixom's friend
ship for Duff Brown, now the owner of
a silver mine in Nevada, is a very ro-
mantle one. Twenty years ago he was
a miner in the silver hills Of a small
town, which afterward came to be the
populous Nevada City. Afterward he
was made a uperintendent, and still
later an inspector CT land claims.
At this time one of the best known
and most respected citizens of the
place was DR.. WixCm, the father of the
famous singer. He did considerable
business in the way of civil engineer
ing, and also had large practice in
medicine. When he drove about on
his visits to the sick in the rough min
ing district he was daily accompanied
by his little daughter, who sat beside
him on the familiar blackboard. She
was q particular favorite with the
miners, and many a time her father
would leave her in the care of ''Duf, "
as he was Familiarity known, while he
made his rounds. Even at that early
age the child had clear and musical
voice, and in those days sang for them
with as much fervor as she did in later
years, when as protegee of Million
aire Mackay, she made her debut be-
fore the crowned heads of Europe. So
the child in the PARKWAY western town
was Duff S especial pet, and she would
sit on his knee and sing herself to sleep
even. Her young voice was so sweet
and full OF feeling that, hearing it, the
rough men would come one by one
from their cabins and gather around
the hut where the child in the arms of
the doctors friend was singing the
popular negro ballads that had been
purchased by Duff for her in the
miners stationery store. Indeed, little
Emma Wixom soon became such a
local celebrity that she attracted the
attention of Mrs. Mackay, who after
ward took her to Europe and educated
her.
one ndu Deen away IOLH tne OIu Hills
for fifteen years, and in all that time
duff Brown had not seen his old
time pet. About two months ago he
came east on business, and when he
saw his little friend name announced
to sing in grand opera he decided to
call on her.
After the first visit he made very fire.
quent calls at the Brunswick while DR..
HYixom and his daughter remained in
Boston, and attended several perform
ances at the Boston theatre by invita-
ton of Mile. Nevada. Mr.. Brown is
exceedingly gratifed at the success OF
his young friend, and never tires OF
eulogizing her. He will remain in Bos-
ton for some time, as he intends ex-
hibiting some ore taken from one of his
mines in the Silver state.