Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-16

which his name appeared aBsololst IN CON-
pany with the names of artists wno nav
been or are now famous; there was 2 ILL., ,a.,
autograph-letter from Christine NILSSON
thanking him tor a composition when ne
had dedicated to her long ago: there Were
n memorandum-book, certificate oi na.h-
ralization, and q copy OF O letter beginning
with the words quoted above.
Fontana was an Italian. and came W
Buffalo in the early part OF last suinInar t ~
play in the Music Hall garden concerts.
He was then somewhat broken in health,
and had lost much OF his finer skin WIFI
his instrument. But he earned gooo
wages through the summer. When the
concert season closed be was thrown out
of regular employment, and had to depend
for livelihood on Iueagre and uncertain
income from occasional employment ~
balls and receptions. Acquaintances VINO
knew his hardship now and then gave MN
a little money. Yet II IL said that be some
times went for DAYS without food. lie
spoke very little Of either English or Ter
man, and, moreover. was proud and re-
served and would not speak of his destltu-
ton.
lie GOT position at one Of the low-price
theatres. bat having been an artist always
he could not ct himself TO accompanying
and-dance performers. and he very soon
lost MS DldGt. Elllft Autn his llNlu- heNN
been most precariOus one. One nSht;
not a month ago. on leaving brilliant ball
where he had been employed he walked the
streets until morning, having no money. 70
nav for bed, and feeling too much pride
10 ask for an advance on his wages. Inc
last time he played was at a reception on
Nev-Year's day. One can scarcely imagine
ANYTHING more bitter than his lot was that
,fay. catering to height pleasure Of others
while he was weak and sick for Lack OF
even a crust OF bread.
Last Sunday Fontana passed several
hours with kindly couple who keep a
saloon on Genesee steeet, and who had
several times befriended him in his ais
tress. He appeared so pale and i'll that the
woman feared he would die there. She
gave him great bowl OF soup late IN the
afternoon. and then hot m-punch, ana
babe him 20 home and 90 to bed, and she
would send him some food on Monday.
The poor fellow shook his head and SAID
"Ah. no one ever comes to see me IN my
room, no one ever comes; il IS cold and
dreary there, and it Is warm here"
At last be went home. The woman sent
him some food and vino the next day, but
he was then 50 i'll that he gasped for
breath. and so full of pain that he could
with the greatest difficulty move about.
When she sent again he had been taken
TO the hospital, where he died IN rev
hours. there being no possible chance OF
saving his life, owing TO his extreme
debility.
1t seems that fifteen years ago Fontana
was a performer of the highest merit on
the contra basso and played solos at grand
concerts in London and Paris. Some ten
years ago he came to America with con,
cert troupe headed by Adelina Patti. I'LL
health. carelessness. and misfortune gradu-
ally reduced his power and benumbed his
ambition, and he sank from one level TO
another until he drained HIS cup to the
drcgs here III Buffalo.
He Law in % plain coffin Mt the under
takers last Wednesday, waiting 70 be car
ried TO Pine-Hill cemetery. His thread
bare. shiny dress coat. which had witness
ed many a scene Of festiyity, was pulled
across his breast and buttOned, and the re-
mainder OF his vesture was of the simplest;
His face bore no trace OF his cruel
priyations. His checks were plump,
and there was scarcely a wrinkle on
his broad forehead. One or two of his
acquaintances who had looked after him at
the last. when they had found him IN his
loneliness aud despair, and who purposed
seeing him decently buried. gaZed with
sympathy on the face of the dead man.
well. good-by, Fontana," said they at
last. and waving him n farewell, turned
away. The lid was screwed on the collin.
and the poor musician was borne TO ms
rest