The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-15

born who was named Margaret Reid Rack
ley. Her parents removed 10 indianapolis
while she was still an infant, and before
she discarded piRzfores they found that
the little gIri possessed a voice sweeter and
purer than that Of most children As she
grew to maturity the neighhors and friends
were delighted 10 listen 10 the singing of
this child and the time came when it was
decided that she should make the most of
this gift, and there were some OF the music
teachers in Indianapolis who predicted
that the girl was going to be one of the
worlds great sOBgsJresses.
Her friends sent her TO Boston for a year.
and beng encouraged they denied them
selves that she might have the benefit of q
thorough training in Europe. She went
TO Paris and submitted to that disc. pine
which'is perhaps the severest Of all train
ings for life career. There is no military
institute, hardly any religious institution
which compels such self denial, such pa
thence, such a wearying devotion as does
the training of the yoice-and it is for this
reason that many girls vino are possessed
OF sweet voices, capable OF great achieve
ments, fail They have not the resolution
necessary TO endure such severe discipline
as a four years course entails.
This Indiana girl did, and last summer
the teachers were through with her They
told her: We have done all that can be
done for you; you must do the rest. 1t
rests with you whether you fulfill your
promise"
She was unable to get any opportunity
70 show the public ia Europe the kind of
melodl0Us notes whica . GIri bred on the
prairie Of the west may sometimes pos
sess. - in something o. despair she re-
turned 10 this country. and even here there
seemed 10 DC no chancs for her.
The Italian grand opera company had
been singing al the winter in New York
and its stars were anong the most bril-
liant in the musical armament. The opera
Of Hamlet, a difficult but extremely
brilliant composition OF Am oroise Thomas,
was announced with another American
girl as the prims donna. Marie Van Zandt
She was suddenly taken IL, and TIE opera
people did not know what to do when
friend Of this Indiana girl went 10 them
and said: There is q Young woman IN this
town who can sing the part Of OpheIia.
Let her do H.
But. SAID the managers. has she ever
sung before in psblae and when her
friends said tha5 she had not and had DOT
even been upon tie stage, the managers
shook their heads They said the girl
might have me voice and vel be worth
less in lyric drama. She might b over
come by stage # EhJ. auf that woulG bring
ridicuIe upon Tae Infringement The friends ,
insisted that she would not faIi. ana the
management said, How much are you
willing 70 risS al L -
The girls friends agreed TO buy 200 seats
at five dollars each. bUN THESE friends num-
bered only two cr three. her brother being
one of them Then The management an
nouRced that Miss Margaret Reid, who
had never appeared or he stage would
undertake tire lsr, Il CpheIia. Sbe was
to sing with Isss4ile, the creates5 hvin
baritone.
When the time care there appeared
self possessed gIrl. modest. and vel not Of
self conscious bearing. and the great
throng in rhe opera house wondered how
this gentle, sweet faced little woman was 4
going to endure this most trying ordeal. .
When she Saag her first bar the people
nodded gentle approval. As she went on
the applause bacame mo vigorous the
girl seeming unconscious il. and at
when the mad scene with which the opera
ends had beea sung by her, this hIshe, 0
unknown Indiara SirI realized the lov Of
becoming famous IN an instant They
called her before tie curtain and lavished-
that most delicious Of all music TO a sing
er's ear-rounG after round of applause
upon her. She had scored success, she mad
met her opportunity. and the Margaret
Reid who yesterday was known only Il
her few friends has Been tOday the talk c.
New York. and managers been hum
bic before her with propo Eo- her sci
ices.
Miss Reid undoubtedly oEes something
of her success ( her caa liaE personal
ity. She : not a sj-i0 j. handsome
woman like Emma EAme>. Lot faseinat-
ing little creature Ike Van ZsHCt. 5Ge she
i an attractive woman. ana he critics
unite IN SAYING that A.-erics has dIscUv-
ered another great priuIl donna
Z j. EDWARDS