Griggs courier., 1895-09-13

! !; i ! ! !:
N1Ml|NW@ years of life had
WNk#s@yAmm& been passed in sim
SGsgN gle blesseduess,
W&(S& had little in COM
90 mon with the rest
of the world.
~ His faults were
manv and his virtues few. His two re-
deeminp points-can them virtues if
YOU will-were generosity verging on
weakness in individual cases and q love
for music.
Late one night he came out OF St.
James hall. buttoned his coat up round
his neck, dived his hands into his
pockets. and made for home. On his
wav he entered cafe and took q cup
of coffee. .s
As he slipped the beverage his ear,
ever on the alert for music, caught the
sounds of a voice that was at once rich
and melodious.
Jabez listened attentively for Ave
minutes, during which time the song
continued with short intervals of ST.
lence. At length it stopped altogether.
Jabez asked the waiter attending him
to fetch in the person singing.
The waiter returned in less than q
minute ushering in q young man OF q
distinctly Italian cast of countenance,
whom he introduced as Luigi the bottle
washer.
swell, my man, you have an extreme
ly fine voice. Did you know that? With
due care and sigid training there
ought to be both fame and fortune in
it. You would like to be something
better than bottle-washer all your
life, eh, my man9"
Luigi, in q wondering sort of way,
nodded.
"That's right, that's right, my man.
Here is my card. Come and see me at
my house tomorrow at half-past six.
want to have serious talk with you.
Can you Gomez"
''Yes, sir-that is, no, sir. Not to-
morrow. work till eleven every night
during the week."
''Oh, oh! such is the irony of fate"
muttered Jabez "Can you come ON
Sunday?"
'Yes, sir, will come"
True to his word. Luigi, clothed in
his Sunday garments, found himself in
Mr.. Wilson's drawing room the follow
ing Sunday evening.
Luigi. you have a most charming
voice. 1t is, at present, in what may
term an embryo form. The foundation
of years careful training will place
you without doubt in one of the top
most branches of the vocal tree.
''You must make point of cultivat-
ing your voice on every possible occa-
sion, Luigi. Avoid those articles of
food which shall give you list of,
that your vocal cords may retain the
sweetness, strength and fullness that
now marks them.
''Your clothes, too, are unsuited to
the pupil of vocal professor. You
must fit yourself out like = gentleman,
Luigi You must exercise care, and
take pride in your personal appear
ance-in short, be in every respect
worthy of your profession"
As Luigi's profession was that of
bottle-washer at an italian restaurant,
he naturally failed to see how he could
we'll give further evidence of his occu-
patton than by the suit in which he ap-
peared before this strange gentleman
And he said so
Dear me; of course. Imust explain
to you, Luigi, what propose to do. 1
am too hasty. First and foremost, do
you like music?"
II am an Italian" was the modest
reply.
''Grand. A most fitting answer.
Now we will come to business. Would
you like to give up your present
menial occupation and become, first,
the pupil of musician, and then a
master of the art you will excel imp"
'That is beyond my hopes, sir. I
have no money"
Jabez Wilson threw up his hands
''That's all right. will see to that
little matter. Give me the assurance
that you will put your whole heart
into the work have cut out for you,
and will do your best. ask for moth
ing more"
A few days later Luigi left his situa-
ton, and became the protege Of Mr..
Wilson. To say that Luigi was CRATE
full would be to put the feeling he
~~AS~~ SS"oAN AAAo O0A0A0CVOG AA v0Ey
mild terms He could find no way OF
expressing his gratitude beyond max
Ing himself as perfect in his art as it
became possible for him to do.
Luigi" said Mr.. Wilson one day,
II am delighted to tell you that It il
now beyond the capabilities of English
masters to teach you further. It re.
mains for the masters of vour native
land to instil into you that little re.
quired to render you their equal, if not
their superior. have decided. there.
fore, to take you to Naples, where we
will spend the next year or two"
For the first time since their odd &C.
quaintance, Luigi failed to hail an an.
nouncement for his benefit with any
sign of pleasure or satisfaction. He
looked gloomy and hesitated to speak
"You have always been extremely
kind and good to me, Mr.. Wilson.
cannot by any possible means expires.