The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-05-09
MADAME AlBoMI.
How She Managed to Get the Best
of a Theatrical Director.

HOW Sho Managed to Get the Best
of a Theatrical Director.
When Mime. Alboni was in Berlin
the director of the Theater della
Scala, in Milan, resolved to engage
her for a week or two. He accord
ingly set out post-haste for Berlin.
In a village near Innsbruck some
part of the carriage was broken,
and our ''impresario" was obliged,
much against his will. to halt. In
a very i'll humor he set out for a
promenade through the village while
the smith was repairing the coach.
Sauntering listlessly along he sud-
denly heard singing-and such
inging!
Never had he heard so sweet, so
clear, SO heavenly voice For a
while transfxed with astonishment,
he at length approached the house
and soon found himself in the pres
ence of the songstress. She was a
handsome Tyrolese maiden of un-
common grace and dignity, and was
entertaining three children, who
were intently listening to her.
He apologized for his intrusion,
and begged to know if the fraulein
understood music, or if what he
had just heard was mere natural
talent. She replied that she under
stood music. The director imme
diately drew from his pocket some
sheets of "La File du Regiment" I"
which he chanced to have with him,
and requested her to sing few
passages. The Tyrolienne smiled
and complied, with as much good
nature as talent and ability. The
director was enraptured.
"Mademoiselle 70 he exclaimed,
81 was on my way to Berlin to make
an engagement with Nine. Alboni,
the great European celebrity, but l
have found you, and will go no
further. Alboni could suit me no
better than you do. | offer you
1000 francs per night and engage
you for twelve representations"
"And how much had you offered
Nine. Alboni !"
"Mme. Alboni! Oh, that is diff
ferent; l should have given her at
least 5000 francs, but, mademoiselle,
bethink you; she has an unrivaled
name and fame, while you are
wholly unknown"
"Yet you told me a moment ago
that Nine. Alboni could suit you
no better than |. l am, then, en-
titled to the same salary that you
intended for her."
"That is impossible, mademoi-
selle. Will you accept 5000 francs?'
"No."
-Four thousand?"
"No."
"Then, mademoiselle, adieu. | can
give you no more; for as you are
entirely unknown, risk everything
you nothing. You might make
yonr fortune and that of your fam.
| ily. You refuse to do so. Adieu.
The director reached Berlin anc
inquired for Nine. Alboni. He was
told that she was still in the coun
try, where she had been spending
the summer with her foster-sister
"Where?"
"In Tyrol."
SIN Tyrol! At what placer"
"In N, two hours ride from
Innsbruck"
81 am ruined -
Returning he sought his peasan,
maiden.
MADAME" he cried, "you are nc
longer unknown. You have playec
me fine trick!
"I? Listen, Monsieur Director
you now know me; but as you were
this morning so unwise as to resign
me for the peasant maiden l no"
decline entering into any engage
ment with you"
The director was in despair. Ht
fell at her feet; but Alboni did moi
relent until after the most earnest
solicitation and the promise OF 6OO
francs per night.
She accompanied him to Milano
and after two weeks labor the chill
dren of the foster sister received
from her a gift of II 600 francs.-Ex
He Has Record.
w. S. Parkerson, the leader o
the vigilance committee OF New