The morning call., 1891-01-12
PLUCK AND LUCK.
How Emma Abbott Utilized Them to
Advantage.

How Emma Abbott Utilized Them to
Advantage.
Emma Abbotts life was remarkable
illustration of the irresistible power of
pluck and luck combined, says a New York
dispatch to the Globe-D Democrat. In the
days of her success she often related to her
friends, how, as girl of and years, she
had wandered about baretooted. and in her
one gown, made from coarse sack, with
BEST Family Flour" in great indeIi-
Bile letters across the back. She oegan to
win admiration for her voice when
only 8 years old. and while still
a child sang to applauding audiences
in small Illinois towns. One day Clara
Louise Kellogg heard the little blue-eyed
girl singing to herself in the open air. The
great stu ger recognized the possibilities of
the untr aimed voice and fastened to help
the embryo sougstress to advantages for
cultivatiDg 1T. She raised money for her,
gave her some, and had her sent to New
York for training.
This bit of good fortune was typical of
almost every critical turn in Miss Abbott's
subsequent career. Some time afterward
the plain young woman who had developed
from the little Peoria girl was singing
Home, Sweet Home" to a party of home
sick Americans in the dingy parlor of
French pension. An elderly lady stole
Sllcuill IillO the lUUlu ana IlSlClGQ. sing
something else" she finally requested.
Miss Abbott complied, and the elderly
woman, after thanking her, left as silently
as she had entered. A few days later
the American girl received a summons to
sing before one of the richest women in
Europe, and the Baroness de Ruthschild
gave $4,000 francs to Emma Abbotfs
musical culture on the recommendation
of the great musical critic who
accidentally heard her sing the
fAr CO.,
boarding-house in Paris. Emma Abbott,
however, did not always wait for luck to
come TO her, but often sought it with per-
Sistence and daring. 1t was during her
student life in Paris that she resolved to see
Patti, who was stopping at a nearby hotel.
- do not wish to see her or the secret she
says she has in her pocket" declared Patti
when plain and unknown Miss Abbott was
announced. The girl at the door persisted
and finally Patti re!ented ungraciously with
a Let her in.
''What is the secret?" asked the prima
donna at once, as the girl entered the room.
only this, madam" the plucky young
woman answered, drawing cheap tan
from her pocket; twill you not write your
name on it?'
Patti"
q can sing a little" volunteered the
young woman, as she took back the fan.
Well, sing then" said Patti, leaning
back in a listening attitude. Miss Abbott
sang.
Take these" Patti cried at the end of
the simple songs, unfastening some jewels
from her ears; land these" later on she
said, handing her some letters to MapleSon.
The little 25-cent fan has a place among
Emma Abbott's treasures. 1t was her me-
dium of access to Mapleson and Gye, with
the latter of whom she made an engagement
at Coyent Garden. Throughout her stage
life Miss Abbott preserved firm belief in
her good luck and in luck generally. Friday
was her best day, she thought, and thirteen
her lucky number. A mole on the back of
her left hand was considered by her to be
her mascot.