The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-31
JENNIE LIND AND THE DIssIPATED
MUSICIAN.

The only person ever met who knew
Jenny Lind 10 her childhood was Max
Brorz1en, an old musician. | asked
him to tell me of her, and The old mans
furrowed face became radiant with a
smile. Remember her," said he; "she
has been the angel of my life; the mem
ory of her voice was my salvation. She
and were once alike poor. We were
young and happy. Hand in hand we
used to wander in the fields an on the
hills of old Sweden. Years
passed, and she became the idol OF
princes and kings, and from afar | wor-
shipped her as | would worship star IN
yonder heaven. | tried to keep pace
with her, but failed. l became a victim
to strong drink, and with that vile pas
sion ambition was buried. In 1S49 | was
passing Her Maj-sty's Theatre in Lon.
don. | was sober enough TO recognize
the clear. ringing thrill that had thrilled
me in my boyhond days. | was penni-
less, but determined to enter and hear
that voice once more. l watched my
chance. A crowd Of ermine-clad men
and women were passing in. | rushed
into the thrOng, evaded the ticket agent
and gained entrance. In a Swallowed re,
, cess crouched and listened. Lucia DE-
Lammermoor was the opera, and sht
was Lucia. saw her appear in the frs
+ scene joyous and happy. Every part ol
the character she portrayed with heart
r searching truth. Then came the clima1
of her powers, her ultimate madness
the crushing Of the heart and mind
which produced the death scene in tn
last act, For moment there was thrill!
ing silence, then tempest of applaus
& that made the house tremble. 1t wa
then forgot all-forgot that was de
, based agabond-forgot the throng an
}, the lighls and all save that saw the Iii
3 tie barefoot girl of my boyhood's idola
is ton queen among men. | rushed fol
v ward and cried, Jenny my little Jenny
1t | told you so. | said that you wou!
v rule the world with that voice. Spea
,e to me and tell me that you remember
10 Put him out ! put him out = shoute
,e the multitude. He is mad, away wit
er him. A strong arm seized me, and
would have been hurled out into tn
a. darkness, but sweet voice cried, Spa
m him, and let me hear him, What is
,u poor man ? looked up, and like q
il angel of light, she stood above m
lit Forgive me, madam, cried; Il WI
30 was passing and heard your voice.
an stole my way IN. 1t seemed l had
a right to listen. Once the birds and
at were your only auditors, and yet whit
is | told you one day you would be grea
in you seemed glad at my praise, though
ne was only Max, the blacksmith's sol
nd Bending over me she cried, Max Bron
IN den, my first and truest friend, stan
,er let this vast throng look upon you.
mt was he said she, who first created al
w. bition in my heart to become great. D
an stage was lichen-colored forest, and
showed upon me wild flowers that
al priced more than now prize the jew
m and rare gifts that are emblems of l
all triumph this night. Rise, my frlen
on said she to me, and be worthy OF
vo trust and confidence that will ever g
nat you in all the future years. l ha
,he struggled and conquered all difficult
ON IL Is not too late. Be no longer val
as bond, as you say you are, but be m
ter worthy of my friendship | col
u scarcely speak, said the old man, 81
ass hoarsely uttered, With Gods hel
do will The house had been silent
/. death, when it suddenly burst IL
yirl tumultuous applause, and the curt
ace fell. left that place new man, W
,ch new aspirations and courage, and In
ore the years since that night, nearly hal
les. century ago, have been a hero an
conqueror of sin. l have lived true
my words V-IVOmdn's Work.