The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-01-16
Jennie Lind and the Dissipated
Musician.

The only person l ever met who
knew Jenny Lind in her childhood
was Max Bronzden, an old musician.
asked him to tell me of her, and the
old mans furrowed face became ra-
diant with smile. Rememberher, ;"
said he; " she has been the angel of
my life; the memory of her voice was
my salvation. She and l were once
alike poor We were young and happy.
Hand in hand we used to wander in
the fields and on the hills of old
Sweden. Years passed, and
she became the idol of princes and
kings, and from afar | worshiped her
as | would worship a star in yonder
heaven. tried to keep pace with her,
but failed. / became victim to
strong drink, and with that vile passion
ambition was buried. In 1S49 | was
passing Her Maiesty's Theater in
London. | was sober enough to recog-
nize the clear, ringing thrill that had
thrilled me in my boyhood days. l was
penniless, but | determined to enter
and hear that voice once more.
watched my chance. A crowd of er-
mine clad men and women were pass
ing in, | rushed into the thrOng,
evaded the ticket agent and gained en-
trance. In Swallowed recess
crouched and listened. Lucia De
Lammermoor was the opera, and she
was Lucia. | saw her appear in the
first scene joyous and happy. Every
part of the character she portrayed
with heart-searching truth Then
came the climax of her powers, her
ultimate madness-the crushing of
the heart and mind, which produced
the death scene in the last act. For a
moment there was thrilling silence,
then tempest of applause that made
the house tremble. 1t was then l for
got all-forgot that | was a debased
vagabond-forgot the throng and the
lights and all save that / saw the little
barefoot girl of my boyhood's idola-
try queen among men. | rushed
forward and cried, Jenny, my little
Jenny l told you so. | said that you
would rule the world with that voice.
Speak to me and tell me that you re-
member Put him out put him OUT
shouted the multitude. 'He is mad,
away with him. A strong arm seized
me, and l would have been hurled out
into the darkness, but a sweet voice
cried, Spare him, and let me hear him.
What is it, poor manY looked up and,
like an angel of light, she stood above
me. Forgive me, madam cried |
was passing and heard your voice. l
stole my way in. 1t seemed l had a
right to listen. Once the birds and |
were your only auditors, and yet when
/ told you one day you would be great,
you seemed glad at my praise, though
| was only Max, the blacksmith's son.
Bending over me, she cried, Max
Bronzden, my first and truest friend,
stand; let this vast throng look upon
you. 1t was he. said she, who first
created ambition in my heart to become
great. My stage was lichen-colored
forest, and he showered upon me wild
flowers that / priced more than /
now prize the jewels and rare gifts that
are emblems of my triumph this night.
Rise, my FRIEND said she to me, and
be worthy of the trust and confidence
that | will ever give you in all the
future years. have struggled and con-
quered all difficulties. 1t is not too
late. Be no longer vagabond, as you
say you are, but be a man worthy of
my friendship. | could scarcely
speak," said the old man, " but hoarsely
| uttered, With Gods help l will
The house had been silent as death,
when it suddenly burst into tumultuous
applause, and the curtain fell. left
that place new man, with new aspira-
lions and courage, and in all the years
since that night, nearly half century
ago, have been hero and a con-
queror of sin. | have lived true to my
words ~ WOmons Work.