Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-12-13
A SONG WRITER'S DREAM FACE
Vow the Author of '.M ,rguerite" Found
His Ideal.

How the Author of an 'rguerite" Found
His Ideal.
A woman of extraordinary personal
beauty came to New York the other day
on board the steamer Albany, of the
duJson River Day Line.
a band on the lower deck was playing
Marguerite" when Il tall elderly gen.
tleman approached a man who was sit
ting near the young lady.
Excuse me, sir" SAID the elderly gem
tleman but did you ever see a more
beautiful woman than the one yonder::'
A benignant smile was the only reply.
"Yes," continued the first speaker en-
Enthusiastically, 81 should like to dedicate
to her my soug 'Marguerite' whicl the
band has just fin h.d playing"
The man addressed looked up in sur
prise.
"What!" he exclaimed; "are you C.
A. White, the author of that song:"
"That is my name" said the composer,
taking out his card. "Hlve you the
honor of the young lady S acquaintance?
II happen to be " father" said the
other, as bland smile passed over his
face.
"Wel, well!" exclaimed Mr., White,
starting back in surprise "And do you
think she would permit me to dedicate
my song to her?"
THAT you must ask the y oung lady
YOURSELF" said the father, who pre-
sented the musician to Miss Bertha Rose
Barnitz.
The young lady is the daughter of
Brevet Colonel Albert Barni q of the
Seventh Cavalry, United States Army,
who is now living in retirement in this
city, and who fought with distinction
under General Custer
This incident was the closing chapter
of series of romantic events connected
with the song "Marguerite
The death of Mr.. Whites wife oc-
Cured about year ago, and the COM
poser was released from active business
relations with his Boston firm, and took
n long vacation to recupArate his health.
Mr.. White has spent the past year in
visiting the Western and Southern
States.
Thousands of singers have no doubt
wondered why the title page of Mar
guerite" bore no dedication like all the
other famous works written by this
author The reason for this omission
was that Mr.. White had in his mind an
ideal picture of woman corresponding
in all feminine graces with his musical
picture of the ideal Marguerite. The
composer determined that when he met
a living woman who should approach
his ideal conception he would dedicate
his song to her. During his sOjourn in
the South, and while stopping at Atlanta,
Ga, he caught on the hotel piazza.
while hurryinS to catch a train, fleet
ing glimpse of face and figure which
were almost the exact counterpart of
his dreams. The vision remained with
him, and wherever he went Mr.. White
was unable to shake off his sentimental
fancy.
Several months later, while in Cleye-
land, he again caught a glimpse in the
street o the ideal of his dreams.
Miss Bertha r So Barnitz is blonde,
above the medium height, with hair
which, when unloosed, touches the
ground. Her form is almost faultless.
In addition to her physical gifts she has
Il ItllldIhdPc ldltit iOl oSuipIuiC stllu
painting. She was born in Leavenworth,
Kan. Her mother, who is a woman of
more than ordinary accomplishments
and striking beauty, is a warm friend of
the poet, Whittier, to whom she has paid
frequent visits of late Her father, Col
onel Barnitz, is a gentleman of pro-
nounced literary gifts.
Hereafter the title page of the song
"Marguerite" will contain the dedica-
ton to Mr. Whites newly found ideal
with portrait -[New York World.