The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-10

heated on her last visit TO New York. but
the old house itself, and more especially
its surroundings. have undergone so many
changes that she said that she would
never care to 20 again. What were for
merly open fields and pleasant groves,
are covered by city streets, lots and nu-
nerous buildings The old landmarks are
almost obiterated. She sighed as she raid
TO one Of her former playmates who still
lives in South Mount Vernon: "Oh'
-chai.ge-changes-an changed. and all
the dear old scenes have passed away.
shall not wish TO sec ii any more"
Patti made two brief calls on old school
mates Jone OF whom has for years been
cripple. suffering at times the acutest
tornfnts of peculiar chronic spinal
disease. Her moderate income is INSULT
cleft to secure more than ordinary medi-
en- service. but Patti has not only fur
Ifshed her with the means 10 command the
Efforts of the most eminent specialist in
this country. but desires every possibility
for further relief to be exhausted. at her
expense
Adelina, with her sister Carlotta, at
tended the District school, in Mount YER
non. more than mile distant from their
home. In "Scharfs History Of West
chester County" reference is made to the
fact that in 1853. complaints were made
TO school trustees by several persons that
the piano In the school-house was monop-
lized by "a little Italian girl" who at
every available opportunity played and
sang. to the exclusion Of other pupils
This was Adelna, whose genuine Unborn
passion for music eagerly sought develop
ment and progress, paramount TO all other
considerations, and on all possible occa-
sions Madame La Rue enc, Of Pattfs
former classmates. tells many interesting
factsard incidents that never have been
published. She says: "rhe PATHS girls
were nice i'm every way. Some thougt that
Carlotta had the softest. sweetest voice:
but for rich, full, round tones, compass
and power. Adelina was then. as she is
now, superb. Even In those days. all of
us school children and, in fact. everybody
who heard her. recognized her remarka-
bic gift of voice. But none Of US ever
dreamed that she would attain her ores
ent eminence as the acknowledged queen
OF song"
Mrs. Greene, another Of her school
mates said: NO one could help being i'm
pressed with the beauty and power of
her voice. Often. while the class were
singing. we would forget everything else
but that voice; and when the teacher
would ask why we had stopped singing
We always answered we couldn't HELM
stopping, 10 listen TO Adelina"
Madame Angerine, another classmate.
SAID: Yes, often half Of the girls would |
pause TO listen to Patti. Now OF course |
she knew all Of this and you would think |
IL would have made her vain. But II |
didnt seem to- She was a queer girl |
peculiar but not frealIy or cranky or sily |
she had strong will, but not bad tenn |
per- While not at all proud, she was par
tcular as to the choice OF companions
Although good-natured and big-hearted
she had very few intimates and they
were OF the incest sort. She was one of |
the most generous and sympathetic Great |
ures that / ever knew. She is a very |
benevolent woman, and / could df | did |
not know II would be very offensive TO |
her) tel you OF many kind deeds Of hers |
IT any one thing were calculated TO |
arouse her wrath now, il would be the |
public mention Of her charities"
The school children were accustomed |
10 speak OF her as the little Italian girl"
Although she did not like it, she mani
Tested no resentment. But one day some |
or the boys annoyed her greatly by re-
peating mockingly, the words: Patty
cake, patty-cake, bakers man. etc" Under
any circumstances she seemed TO have an
aversion 10 boys, but on that occasion
she was tried beyond endurance. Sudden
ly. whirling about. she confronted them
with the herceness of n tigress. She fair !
ly quivered with rage, as she poured |
forth q terrific inyective in pure Italian