Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-08

but now filed him with apprehension.
"Ihey mean mischief" no disconsolate;
ly remarked to his henchmsn Msllard
"if that Internal Durand doesn't take his
Kissing quietly. cadedis! We may look
out for squalls !"
The overture with its magnifcent finale
having received its usual tribute OF ap-
plause, the opera began and every eye
was strained to catch glimpse 81 the
much. talked-of hero OF the evening. AT
length he appeared, and as he advanced
toward the footlirhts his weirdlike ugli-
ness, rendered more conspicuous by the
glaro Of gas, the effect produced
on the spectators was absolutely startling
and a dead silence reigned throughout
tho house while the first bars OF
the opening recitative were played by
the orchestra. Suddenly voice fresh,
clear. and exquisitely melocious, rang
through the crowded theatre, gradually
increasing in power and volume as 1t
reached the highest notes, and termi-
mating with an ut dc poitrfne rarely
heard in such perfection since the days
Of Duprez. For an instant the bewll-
dered listeners remained motionless as II
entrsnced bat as the air drew to close
their enthusiasm could no longer DO re-
strained, and burst forth in one stimuli
taneous shout OF delight, echoed
again and again from pit to gallery.
From that moment the tenors bat
tie was won as the opera proceeded the
manifestations of satisfaction became
moro and more frequent. and at the fall
of the curtain an ovation awaited him
such as seldom falls to the lot OF a
oe5ulante at Vieiileviilc. Even the
Frondeurs, although probably disap-
pointed at the result, acknowledged the
"soft impeachment, and waved their
kid gloves with conaescending urbanity ;
Camoufst. tho wit Of the party, alone
venturing to whisper with reference to
Dnrand's evident inexperience as an
actor. " Vor ct pr0teree nihb "
Larsigues, as may be imagined, was IN
ecstasies and held serious consultation
with Willard after the performance as to
the operas in which he could best utilize
the talent OF his new acquisition. "Ro.
meo. with such face, he said, "is, oil
course, impossible, and 50 is Faust but
hc would make q capital Eleazar IN the
'Juive.' and fEst-rate Othello. He
can't have been long on the stage, for a
worse stick Of an actor | never saw but
with a voice like that one mustn't be too
particular. Who would ever have thought
they had anything of the kind at lilo
Next morning the manager, still medl-
tating on the advantages to be derived
from the engagement OF tho "ugly
TENOR" arrived in good time ut the thea
tire for the purpose OF experimenting
certain trihing alterations IN the scenic
arrangements of "Guillaume Tell,
which was to be played sgain on the
ensuing evening. A few minutes before
IL the artists summoned to attend sue
cessiyely made their appearance, with
one notable exception-pamely, Dursnd,
whose presence as the principal figure IN
an important scene was indispensable.
"Send round to his lodgings" ex-
claimed Lartigues, annoyed at so iiagrant
breach of discipline, "and let him
know we are waiting for him."
He mad scarcely issued the order when
the entrance of a middle-aged female,
the FORTRESS Of the theatre, accompanied
by a strong odor OF garlic, attracted bis
attention. "What is it?" he impatient
ly inquired.
"a letter, to be delivered into Mon
sieur's own hands" replied Nine. Cerbe'
rus. suiting the action to the word.
Hastily opening the envelope and
plancing at one OF the two papers 1t con
tanned. the manager, evidently not lit
tie astonished, announced that an un'
expected matter of business would pre-
vent his being present at the rehearsal.
"You can do without nae" he said tc
Willard. "If you want anything yor
viii find me in my room."
"a check for five thousand francs
he muttered to himself when he haC
reached bis sanctum. "What on eartl
can it mean ?" Then unfolding the
second paper and carefully smoothing il
ont on toe table he read as follows:
Dear Monsieur Lartigues, When YOU
receive this shall have left Vieilleville
rather uncelemoniously, you will say
but under tho circumstances unavoida
DIV. Jacques Durand's dramatic career
began and ended last night (; the Arnold
Of "Guillaume Tell resumes his OWE
name and profession, and were YOU
again to meet him you would assuredly
fail to recognize him. Let me explain
While attached to the Embassy at Rio
for l really paS there-I occasionally
profited by the possession OF a tolerabl'
tenor voice to join company OF anna
teurs in the habit of organizing operate
performances for the benfit OF local char
ties, and on my return to France founC
that nay reputation as singer had pre-
coded me thither. An eccentric acquaint
ance of well-known sporting propsnsltle
came to me one day and proposed TIN
following singular wager lie offered t
bet me 30, 00C francs to s,ose that within
six months / would not undertake TO SIM
first-tcnor part in an opera at leasin.
provincial theatre without being kissed
assuming whatever namo he might choos'
aud so Disgusting my personal appearance
rs to render myself as repulsive as posi-
BILE. Trusting thatmy voice mig ut carry I'M
safely through the ordeal, and tempted
by the liberal sdds at stake, consented
and, after devoting three months to TIA
study of half dozen parts, succeeded
through the medium Of the agent, Colon
bat. in obtaining an engagement a
Vieilleyillc, with what result you alread.
know. My friend, who took care to b'
present at NV debut, acknowledged tina
the bet was fairly won; and, as you ar
Justly entitled to some compensation 10
my abrupt departure, permit me to re
quest your acceptance of the enclose'
check, with my best wishes for the pros
perity of your theatre.
CASTOR DE BLoNvAL,
Ex. attache to the Embassy at Rio Janeiro
"Sac d papier ?" exclaimed Lar
tieues, throwing down the letter II
disgust. "Another chance slipped
through my fingers, and one | am no
likely TO see again. Deduct five thou
sand francs from fifty thousand thi
farceur was worth to me total, deaC
loss of forty-fye thousand. Nothing t
be done but to wire to Colombat for
substitute and to fall back on coined.
until one turns up. BagGSse! If tn
story Of the bet gets wind i shall be tn
laughing stock of the town
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