Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-14
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPIER VII.
Many things happen during ten years, and
yet at the end of them it seems as though
somehow, after all, the time had flown very
quickly! Young things have grown to man.
hood, fortunes and regulations have been
made, SO many structures have been built M
stone by stone or have fallen into dust and
been forgotten. People have grown happy or
sad. good or bad, lives have begun and lives
nave ended. And yet one says with sudden
wonder: Can it be ten years since then-really
ten years?"
During the ten years after the two mothers
stood by the wall on the steep of the Citta
Vecchia many things had come to pass in the
queer old town, which had always seemed to be
crumbling
,, The mother who was one Of the forestieri
had been Lisa's friend before she had gone
away herself. The two had understood each
other. Lisa had been enabled to live and work
quietly In her old house without fear of suffer-
ing from poverty. She had not wanted much.
and she had friend who could not desert her.
though she was far away. Over the mound
where her boy lay there was slender white
cross, and upon the mound many flowers grew
On the cross the peasant women used to hang
garlands. On the coast of the Mediterranean
one may afford flowers.
There were things the stranger mother had
said In their talks together which Lisa had
They were things of which she did not speak
much to others, but her thoughts dwelt on
them with strange comfort when her DAYS work
was over; she used to go and lean upon the low
wall and look toward the hill where the Ma
donna della Guardia watched over the sap
phire sea.
in paradise" she used to whisper to herself.
They say that even those who have not sung
on earth have voice given to them What idS
he would feel when it all came back to him
more golden and dear than ever. How the
saints would listen to him; and the Madonna
herself-surely she would smile and keen hin,
near her, because he had suffered SO on earth.
And the signorine-who was a bow too and
had SO many boy friends on earth, perhaps-
they surely would have known each other. be-
Ca cause their mothers have wept together. But
he would sing again, he would sing again.
AS the years went by there were many inter
estlng stories of Giovanni. 1t was told in the
Citta VeccLia that his voice had become a won
der and that he was becoming famous among
the masters who trained voices and great THINGS
were prophesied of him. He was strong ana
weil-grown and handsome as a picture it was
said He had sent photograph Of himself TO
Brigltta and Cola, and they were by no means
averse to showing it to their acquaintance and
repeating what had been said by the peonle
who knew what voices were.
And then came the time when he sang for the
first time in an opera. To the Citta Vecchia il
seemed like fairy story. He had sung in a
great thester filled with grand people and
lights and jewels-littie Giovanni, who had
always sung In the streets, had been more than
proud to bring home few francs. There had
been wonderful scenery on the stage-places as
fine as the kings palace-and Giovanni had
moved about acting and singing as if he had
been used to such things always. And the peo-
pie had been wild with Joy and had applauded
anu risen In their seats and thrown flowers at
his feet and called aloud his NAME
And from that time his life was more like a
fairy story every day. 1t was the great excite
ment Of the Citta Vecchia and Brigitta and
Cola were happy pair. They need not work
at all. They were quite rich at least Giovanni
who was good fellow. after all, in the midst of
his grandeur. sent them plenty of money for
all their simple wants 1t was delightful to go
out with them just to hear their stories and
discover how grand the world was. Brigitta
and Cola always had plenty Of visitors after
3 career began.
And one evening those who dropped in To
chat and drink little wine comfortably found
them wearing an air at once reverential and
triumphant. They had just had new letter
from Giovanni, who was in Rome.
Tonight, Brigitta announced almost
breathlessly. 'this very night he is to sing be-
fore the queen and the king! They have asked
it, and ali the court will be there to hear"
1t was true that on this night his audience
was very magnificent one and that the rovaI
box was hlled The king and queen had come
r.
had risen like star and who had once been
only little street-singing peasant
And because the king and queen had come
the court had followed and the house was a
splendid spectacle. There were beautiful
women and rich dresses. glittering Jewels and
flowers and soft colors and perfumes eyery-
where And every one was talking of the mar
vclous young tenor and the great fame which
had come to him and the great fortune which
the future held.
In nT 1.al
man who were evidently not Romans but their
interest seemed almost greater than the rest of
the audience. 1t seemed an interest a little
different from the universal one. They were
mother and son. The mother wore soft black
araperies and her blonde hair was powdered
with silver threads. Tho son was graceful, |
happy-eyed young fellow, with bright face |
ana laughing eyes. He leaned forward with a |
boyish smile of pleasure.
what q house" he said. What splendid |
house! am SO glad! How lovely the queen |
mood. too. They are sure to be pleased. of |
course they must me. Everything goes well |
.or him. What a change for little peasant. |
wish had seen him when he sang under your |
window, and thought the francs you threw him |
we're fortune. It was just after"
He stopped and put out his warm young hand |
Ind touched his mothers.
You were very sad then, dear" he said. |
But out of that all Giovanni's good fortune |
ias come. HOW strange 1t Ii! II You had not /
gone there he might have sung in the streets /
until he had spoiled his voice. Then he would |
nave had to live the life of common peasant.
II you had not made his first step for him he |
might never have been able to make the |
others"
His mother sat little in the shadow of the |
curtain and looked at the brilliantly lighted /
'tage. She smiled . soft vague smile
II wonder if he ever remembers that il WAS
lot really who did it--but boy like himself /
shom he never saw. It was Leo who was his /
friend"
1t was splendid, wondrous night for the
Toung tenor. Whatsoever the triumphs that /
lis NE might bring him in the future, there
would never be one which seemed quite 80 joy
Jus and magnificent rs this house. when, young
ND fuu OF exultant spirit, he poured forth his
ong before the brilliant house. while the king
md queen applauded him with delight-the king
ND queen In the marvellous stoned capital Of
lis own country.
He was . beautiful young fellow, Of . dark
yed, simple. stalwart type. He had evidently
lved 1oyously and without pain or despondency