The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-03

water said to be over forty feet in depth
II is bordercd on three sides by precipi-
tous walls Of rock, rising from ten to
fifteen feet above the iuky-hued sur
face, and is known as 1.-THE DEVILS Pool 3"
The party paused here awhile and viewed
the quaint, queer, romantic scenery
Some of them found amusement by pitch
ing large stones into the murky water
and listening to the resounding echoes of
the splashes
While thus engaged one Of the girls
slipped and fell into the pool. What had
been n scene of merry frulic, instantly
changed into one of panic and horror.
The air was filled with piercing shrieks
and screams. One of the party tainted,
and the others frantically ran to-and fro,
wringing their hands and crying pite-
ously
Patti alone retained presence of mind
and urged some of the girls to run quickly
for help. Then leapinF from rock to rock
until she came to the lowest end of the
gorge, without an instant Of hesitation
she sprang into the water and swan out
to the halfsubmerCed and struggling girl,
who had fortunately grasped and chung to
the brittle branch of an Overhanging tree.
Patti succeeded in supporting her half
crazed playmate. and swan with her TO a
floating log near by. where the two
rested. After quoting and reassuring
her companion with words of encour-
agement. Patti succeeded in padding
the log along to the lower end of the pool.
clothing was weighted with its satura-
ton, and their bodies were chilled almost
To mum bness. 1t was more than half an
hour that they chung TO that cold, Shiny
log, before assistance came from the adj
Jacent farm houses to rescue them from
their perilous position. During all this
terrible experience PATHS courageous
demeanor was unfaltering, and by cheer
ing words, she inspired her companion
with the hope and strength that saved
her from perishing The girl whom she
then rescued is now the wife of Judge
FAIRLY, of New Orleans.
The most interesting episode. as well as
the most important era in PATHS girl
hood, was her first appearance as a
singer, before IA public audience. The oc-
casion was an entertainment in aid of the
building fund Of the Catholic church in
Mount Vernon, ~ Y, and the program
comprised local amateur talent, OK
clusively. The affair was held in the
hall of the little village hotel whose seat
ing capacity was far less than 200 per
sons.
There was crowded house. and most
of the auditors were personally interested
in one or another of the performers
Among these were such persons as Mr.
John Oscar Stevens, now secretary of the
Atlantic Gable Telegraph Company, Mr.
George Stevens, a veteran journalist of
considerable poetical genius, Mr.. Barnes
Miller, and Mr.. Harry Chapman.
PATHS name was far along on the list
Of vocalists, and when the time for her
appearance arrived the hour was late, for,
as usual in such country amateur affairs,
delays had greatly prolonged the cxer-
cises The audience had become wearied,
but the announcement OF the name of
Patti aroused them. The public school
children had 50 frequently and cnthusi-
astically spoken TO their parents about
the beautiful singing of 1.-The little Italian
girl that gossip was alive and curiosity
eager to see and to hear the local Juvenile
prodigy. There was a rustllng Of dresses
and stretching of neckS in their efforts to
obtain a good view. Patti noticed the
hustle and had an inkllng OF the cause II
was no moro than natural that such con
spicuousness should render her extremely
sensitive, and provoke that sensation
known as stage fright"
But the hearty applause that filled the
hall as she came upon the platform dis
PEELED all momentary nervousness, and
the little lady held her sclf-command at
its normal equipose. The audience saw
before them girl of 10, or rather short
stout and yet graceful figure, handsomely
dressed in dark material with trimmings
in colors most becoming TO her She was
not handsome, but had very pleasant, in
telligent, interesting face, luxuriant hair
and eyes of diamond brilliancy. Tho ac-
compHnist, Prof AgassiZ, hermusiCal in
structOT, was far more nervous than she,
because he dotted much on her proficiency.
and was anxious that her first essay in
public should be successful. In his pre-
Jude he made a discord in the third or
fourth bars. Quick ASIA flash Patti half
turned and shot "A veXcd glance toward
him. and stamped her little foot as If with
annoyance at his error. Then she sang an
Italian love ditty It was q simple, sweet
melody, and she rendered IL with oXqui-
site expression At it's close the ap-
plausc was so enthusiastic and pro
longed that she was sent forward 10
respond, and for an encore sang selec-
ton from the opera of FRA Dlayalo"
This was quite a test for her young voice
and brought out all Of its marvellous
richness and compass-and more than
than all else, her individuality of express
sion. There were no expert musical crit
les present; IL was only little country
village audience. But Patti took them
by storm. The applause was trcmen-
dous; it was furious; 1t was incessant
and persistent. The people shouted sing
more, - "sing again But her careful in
structor knew that her voice had been
exercised to the limit Of prudence, and
felt obliged to decline.
Patti bowed her Acknowledgements and
tripped off the platform with the grace
OF little princess and when the over
delighted PROT Aggassiz folded her in his
arms and exclaimed in the hearing of the
village president: Bravo zee grand leedle
diva" little did he realize the prophetic
import of that utterancc.
Blackmail in Paris