Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-06-20
THE UGLY
.PRIMA-DONEA


singer. lin fact. one of the divinest
voices ever heard upon tie stage as
a New York daily had said. was go
ing 20 visit them for one night ON her
way TO San Francisco.
You should have seen the stampede
90 the music Store for reserved seat
iickets-for amy tickets-for permission
10 stand inside the hall. In one day
every inch Of room In the shabby build
ing was bought up and that a week
before the time. All Silver Greek was
either STEPPED In triumphant safisfae-
lion or plunged In covetous Iongings.
The day arrived SO did the primo
donna and her attendants.
The crowd Of sigbf-seers who were
waiting al the raiiwoy station saw
nothing for their pains. except three
gentleuanly looking foreigners who led
an impeneirably vailed lady into a cab.
Madefnoiselle ceplliSe d. FaseatI was
driven 20 the basf hotel In she town.
No sooner were the doors Of the
Music Hair opened than q dense
after ensled for one fun hour such
crammings Of ruffies and squeezing
past knees. and pushing Of elbows,
an had never been seen in that hall
before.
Aud at last the three gentlemen en-.
tered. and arranged themselves as the
orchestra: the snbdned se-Fapings OF
rioIins. and roulading Of silver flutes.
beld the garson part Of the audience
speli-isound In breathiess anficipa len.
and everybody prepared 10 h. aston-
ished.
- they were.
The prfma donna gilded in from a
side door. her bong amber satin robe
trailing over the earpeted platform.
her white satin peftleoaf adorned with
lace and embroidery. her gold hair
flowing In ringleis. and sprlnkled loose
~ with white eamellias, her Snowy
throat enriched 10y gold. her dainty
white feet decked with gilt butterflies.
her small. upright figure 80 llsxaIne. .,
graceful. rising out 81 a g0ld-and- white
Moorish scarf. which was knOIfed
loosely NJ one side.
a vision 81 perfect grace and Paris
ian taste was she: hut the face which
confronted the audience was the
ugiiest In the room
short OF shock ran through the
hearts Of the throng They had ~.
T'erfsd beauty 60 match the famous
voice. Why notf The papers had
called her young. attractive. the idol
Of every city.
Herr WIS a Feritable s;orgon.
There WIS = T,aITabie silence - she
swept TO the front Of the platform.
where a tank 81 flowers did duty in.
stead Of foot-iights- The applause
which had risen up like a whlrlwlnd
at the FIRST glimpse Of tie gold sHd-
white ngur. Was now hushed and
dufnb-smiften.
MadeDoiseile Cephise turned with
uninoyed face TO her orchestra. aud
straightway q low sobblng broke from
violin and silver flute. Hike the softest
whispers ~ the Aeoiian harp. and the
voice rose M. not glad and Joyous as
the tones % those who have found
life holiday. but sadly. proudly. pure
~. IN its lonely beauty. like the voice
Of an angel who. wandering through
sorild scenes in search ~ the All.
Good. sings song not Of earth. but
one taught by Heavens ministers.
oh. voice of majesty. ~ piercing.
tfAA~AA&H ANNNH1rA rMtFNUtsrHa
How IL iranred each vulgar soul in the
old hall that night. aud dragged them
from their sofdid selves 60 peep with
nwestruck eyes through the golden
bars TO heaven. How II taught cold
hearts their first lesson 81 love. ~
charity. ~ alteration 20 Him who rules
above all. How II waited the angel
faces Of the dead 20 weeping friends.
and sent the innocent baby cheek back
TO nestle on the mothers yearning
bosom.
Beloved voice. guerion surely Of
noble soul.
The song or one should say the
divine psalm was ended. when a
creak nj one ~ the doors broke the
Intense stiffness which establishment
aud emotion had bounded the audience
with. aud an old woman. dripping from
the cold rain without. edged herself
Into the crowded building. She was
rugged. and bowed together with rhcu.
matisn: few sparse white locks fell
from her old black bonnet over her
poor. thin checks: her faded shawl
scarcely hid her bony arms from the
gaze OF the throng. and her skirt was
~ cotton. worn 60 rags. hut mended
somehow 20 hang together. She had
basket on her arm filed with
matches. spools OF cotton. tape. and
needles: but the matches were spoiled
by the rain. and her whole stock
damaged.
Come. come, Mother pellcticr." said
the doorkeeper. taking her rather
roughly by the arm. you must go out
OF this: II isn't place for the likes OF
your
"Ab. mon Dicur' muttered the old
woman. looking eagerly about with
her Keen. black eyes. II heard a voice
"A sweet voice. Where IL itf-
Down stepped lady from re-
served seat close by-n lady with COR
geous silks, and crmines, aud opera
cloak. all au fait, but her eyes were
full Of tears and her cheeks pale.
''Shc shall stay, Mr.. Harold" said
the lady: 'the music will warm her
poor old soul. A compniriot of your
own. Mother Pcllctier. a young Paris.
icnnc. and she sings like n scrapb.
Here. Harold. money for her ticket.
Now sit down on this step near the
stove. and loaki shp In tyniny IN .I,,,