The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-02-11
THE DEATH'S-HEADCANE
A Pathetic Story as Told by a
Stately Prima-Donna-

She appeared almost TRANSPORTED Tor
the moment, seated before the old
spinet, pausing in the midst of the soft
nocturne to contemplate the old teak
wood walking stick with its sallow ivo-
nv deaths head and leathern tassels
and triple bands of gold inscribed
with pompous fourishes Madeline
Mark, the stately prima-donna, upon
whom now the world had turned its IA
voring eyes.
Come; sit closer to me-" she said.
"The carriage will not be here this
half hour. / will tell you of one who
loved me, who gave up his life that
triumph might be mine. Would to heav-
on had been worthy!
THAT cane was my fathers He Yves
one of the brave few who survived
Trafalgar, and whom the good queen
decorated with her own hands. For an
especial act of bravery she also gave
him this token, and beautiful indeed
was it then,-a solid gold head where
now is staring skull, more of an i'm
perial scepter than the staff of hero.
That cane has witnessed all the divine
comedy of our lives.
~ was just sixteen when made my
debut. / recall with what rapture l
sprang from the stage after the third
encore and felt my proud fathers arms
about me, his dear kiss of graduation
upon nv fevered brow. But ali! with
the coming of triumph came the mon
ster which has crossed the threshold of
many a happy home and driven peace
into the hearth-fames. Ambition
ali, what have i not to answer yet for
thee!
''As risen star was much sought
by the curious and the sincere alike. /
was invited everywhere, received with
fiattering honors for so small an
achievement, my father ever beside
me. One night an incident occurred
which directed the whole course of my
future. 1t was at a reception of great
lady whose mansion faced fashion
able square. After quite an ovation
started down the marble stairway,
dazed at the magnifcence about me.
just as l stepped by the great candle
abrum, the fair hostess, who appeared
indeed angelic at that moment, with
whitest shoulders and dazzling jewels,
glanced up and approached me. Bless
mel she said. The poor child has no
cloak and, with perhaps pompous
desire to be thought gracious, she
threw her own magnificent white
mantle over my shoulders, walking by
my side. Suddenly, in the great mirror,
1 caught sight of the great lady and
myself side by side. 1t was revela-
ton. l became the deformed trans
formed. Under the enchantment of
this one moment grew tall, noble,
heroic. Was not her equal, and more
beautiful than she? Wherein lay the
difference between this one of the
greatest ladies of the land and the
struggling singer? A white silk cloak
nothing more!
1T was two years before met the
great lady again, and that was when
my father and l were celebrating one
of his rare Sabbaths of rest in the park.
A swift regal carriage turned down
from an unexpected nook. and my eyes
met those of my benefactress. Ere
could shrink into ambush, as was my
foolish impulse, she recognized me,
saluted, then ordered her carriage
drawn to the curbstone, bcckoning me
thither.
".My dear, she murmured, seductive
ly. 4 have watched your struggles
these two years, and know the ambi-
tions of your heart am going to give
the initiative to the success you covet.
Day after tomorrow night the prince
of - will honor me at a reception
given for him at my house. You will
come, and perhaps / shall request you
to sing. If you do, you may win
glance of favor from his highness,
which, l need not say, means pass
port into public favor. Come. Am
not very good?'
I'm my speechless gratitude made
some inarticulate murmur of surprise
and delight.
Remember! Tuesday night at ten.
Do not disappoint met And with a
wave of the hand, and smile half of
patronage, half pity, the carriage
rolled down under the INTERVENING
trees.
Il stood still moment, scarce rea-
LIKING my good fortune; then ran to
my good father, and exultantly told
him all.
Father! fatherr exclaimed Think
of it! shall meet the great prince,
and shall sing for him. Why is not all
the world mine now?'
Delightful, ny childr he said, with
that half joy that was so full of mean
ing. And you shall go-by all means!'
1.-The drcssr said, at length; where
and how shall ever obtain one fit to
bear the scrutiny of a princeY
For a moment he looked baf1ed
Then he turned his face away, striking
his palm with the gold-headed cane
You shall CO. he said. calmly.
For the two days worked like a
battle-painter-like one who prepares
for q great coup d'etat. The lovely