Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-01-27
kn Audience of One

S6E ner' 10 an audispce ci one few weeks
rgo. She sang the touching words end
pIaiu!ive music without pu ting price en-
.her. She wss not Erms Abbott tbs
priua donpa for the moment, but big
hearted, charitable woman, s0le end willing
to contribute Of her riches to soo,be the
severish fancy OF an unfortunate fellow
creature, whose sands of life we're nearly
spert.
Pa!!p J Bcast. who ;e d. log of corsunr-
lien ct the age Of thirty, vas residenl of
Detroit a few years ago. and pssslonste
lover OF music. He was q regular patron Of
the Abbctt seasons in that city, snd never
missed ssssirg the Ginger ia "martha." Her
sole, 'Ths Last Rose Of Sam@er," was ois
ideal OF music.
When be wes first attacked by the put
| .Donary affection whica is roW ending his
days, b, came to California Ia hopes OF De.
ing benefited by the Grange OF climate. He
gained strength and vigoF Tor time, anG
was able TO accept light employment, bnt
not fer long. For weeks he has beea bed
ridden With hope OF life gone, poor Boot
had iistle to wish for beyond & epsedy ter
minat!on of his sudsIings until Emma At
bot began az engagement ct the Bsld9tp
theGts. T5e youuE msu read e7ers Grill
osnl that ;he press Afforded. snc With the
readlug cane ioug DC fer "Ihe Las: Rose
Of Sumner "
he impioFed lis physician epd re'c i:ss
for uermjssion to attead iGat one perios aaoce
Of F .oto@'5 masterpiece.
Tna msn OF MEDICINE pr0nouOceo JudS-
nent that B1ost could no. livs 90 make tbs
urney bet ESQ hq bed ard the theatre. Il
was !mpo:Eible--he was toe utterly hslpess
to even wslk to carriage,
The dyiog man. usually traotabio ead
seatIe, was peraisteus in refu-i0g to be rs.
signed. "!f c9u'd hear Emma Abbott aing
'Tas Last Rose of Spm ueE.' would be
5esdg to de-" be remarked TO Mes. NJ. a.
Hotaling, friend of he family. rs she sat
st his bedside
MIS-. Hc;eiu.. ,gss 81 he Bsl6wia Hos,
the temporary home q the p!ima 2onna. Il
was no; q q G,ficult task 70 convey the il
formation OF Bcosl's passoosta ionsin2 10
Miss Abbott, and Mrs. Hots iGg aeoopl-
plished it through third person
70 tho midst OF violent doWnpou: inc
Lady was surprised by call from Miss Ah-
bo.t The prima doDna WAS GO cloaked and
hooded that Mrs. Hotsing did not recog-
nizs her at first. but the fair visitor soon
stated ner errapO.
"Now, Mrs. Hotaling," shs said. at the
coucuaicn OF her recital of what she bad
heard, II want you to take ms to your
young friend II my singing will give him
one moments pleasure OF forgetiuness, |
don't think 1 can spend the afternoon to
better advantage"
"But the weather-it is raining" began
Mrs Ho,aling, please5, but surprised.
Never mind the rain ! 1t wou't hurt men
bit, and have set my heart on this VIII
you accompany me?"
Mrs Hotaiiog needed no urging, and In
few minutes the errsnd OF mercy had begun.
The Introduction was aimoet tco much for
the invalid. Joy came near killing in shio
iostauce. Ii was several minutes before he
recovered sufficiently 20 even attempt to ex-
press his gratitude, and then his visitor re-
fueed to listen
Save your strength, my friend ; you have
but little left, and use it in making your
peace for the life to come"
The strange interview WAS between the
two alone, and it lasted for nearly ap hour.
Then Boosts friends were summoned for
the song.
There was no stage, no costuming, and oil
the properties bot one were lacking. Iu her
| left hand the actress held blush rose, ard
| with the notes the pstsls fei! to the f'or,
one by one
lis the lsst rose of Summer,
Left blooming alone.