The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-02-12

his self-esteem and dignity that he
 made the offer.
 "The little ones are hungry" he said
 to himself. Since I have nothing to
 give them I'll make it up with my song.
 That will open better way to make
 merry"
 Espying a corner where he hoped to
 be less seen than in the open court he
 went there, and after pulling the visor
 of his cap over his eyes, and giving two
 or three sonorous hems to clear his
 voice and stir up his courage, he pom
 dered for a moment and then rang out
 with all the power of his lungs the ten- or air from La Favorita." He often
 sang successfully before his comrades,
 but this was the first time he had faced
 a paying audience.
 His first verse had not ended before a few sous fell at his feet. At the second
 verse the heads of tenants and servants appeared at the windows. Soon, at the windows of the best rooms, young, pret- 1 ty women were to be seen. It was the | breakfast hour. The weather was warm, and fortunately for our singer,
 the dining-rooms bordered the court yard Sous and silver fell faster and faster. Bravos were heard, which so an imated the singer that he kept trilling the notes. The graces with which he ! set off his ballad indicated that he was not professional musician; but his full, youthful voice was admired. He was compelled to bow and thank his auditors while wiping his brow. In- deed, he had need of all his courage. Still seated on the edge of the win ,.Il ka1 Charles had picked up the offerings. At most she hoped he would give her small piece.
 You see," he said, "grandmother won't return to-day with empty hands"
 The old woman thanked him with tears in her eyes.
 While he was removing the coins from the papers in which they had been enveloped a maid-servant leaned out of window on the first floor and called:
 "Will you come upstairs, sir? The gentleman wishes to speak to you"
 To him "the gentleman" could mean only the proprietor whom he did not know. Probably he wished to point out some new work to be done in the house.
 'Im coming" he said, and approach ing the old beggar, he poured into her parchment-like hands all the money he ! had collected.
 On the first landing the servant was waiting She ushered him into a din ing-room, richly but plainly furnished. | A Of tI o d. | vanced and asked: Was it you who | was singing?"
 "Yes, sir" the concierge allows sing ! ing In the yard.''
 q know something about itl'' contin- | ued the gentleman. well have a | chat, and as it's warm, you will take a | glass of wine to refresh yourself"
 q can't refuse it. replied Charles, l twisting his cap.
 "Julie, bring glass. Seat yourself there, sir. You have acted very well toward the mendicant."
 Charles fidgeted on his chair.
 1T had no money of my own to give" he said.
 Perhaps some day you will consider the poor old woman as your good fairy Just now you sang for her; at present you're going to sing for me"
 They passed into the drawing-room. Charles felt timid and embarrassed. He mastered this feeling and again sang the air which he had given in the yard. A large framed photograph hung above the piano and attracted his It represented a man of thirty years in the costume of Fernand in La Favorita" Between the gem tleman at the piano and this portrait found a resemblance.
 "Yes, it was l." said the gentleman, when I sang La Favorita.'
 If I had known that" returned Charles, q would never have dared to sing before you"
 You'd have made a mistake. You have a magnificent voice and good that cannot be acquired. Of course you do not sing correctly; your voice is not well pitched. If you will practice, and practice steadily, I'll guarantee your future"
 But have to work for my immedi- ate wants"
 Don't worry yourself" said his host; 1T shall provide for all that. You will pay me later out of your salary when you sing at the opera and take the place I formerly held"
 Not long ago my readers heard and applauded Charles, whose real name I 10 not feel at liberty to mention in this place. Everyone is delighted to hear nim. At present he is abroad, and our Journals tell of his success. It will not lstonish you to learn that whenever a song is heard in the courtyard of any house at which he is sojourning a win low opens and a silver piece is thrown