The morning times., 1896-05-03

all Objectionable features"
~ lGBY BELL, the famous comedian. made
! his debut as public singer in the city
- OF Washington, fact that is not
generally known. The circumstances
surrounding Mr. Belts debut were
both painful and humorous and what
threatened to be complete fiasco, Tor
the debutant tufned out TO be complete
triumph. %.
After studying hard for six years in Italy,
under the best masters, and graduating
from the Scala Theater, In Milan, Italy, Mr..
Bell returned to his native land, filled with
anlicipations OF future triumphs, and brim-
full OF ambition. He cast about him for a
proper place to make his American debut,
ana naturally selected Washington, the
Nations Capital, as the most fitting field
for his anticipated conquest. This was
well, some years ago. concert was or
ganized in "Ford's old Theater,p and Mr.
Bell selected tie famous baritone solo from
1.-The Messiah, , 'tThou Art Gone Upon
High Us his piece de resistance, TO he fol-
lowed by the popular song, Nancy Lee,''
winch had just been introduced at that
period, for an encore.
Mr.. Bell then looked about for a rroper
acconpanist and selected q weH-known or
gaIist OF this city FOR the position-Said or
ganist was ut that time famous for his mag
equally celebrated for his extreme nervous
ness aud predisposflion To effeminacy. For
two solid weeks Digby and his accompanist
faithfully practiced tie two selections and
at last the fateful evening arrived. and Mr..
Bell and the accOmpauist proceeded to-
gether in a Carriage 40 the theater. When
within about one square from Ford,s the
acrompanist turned to Mr.. Bell and in "a
voice making with fear and dread antici-
patton said. ''oh, Mr.. Bell am SO dread
fully nervous, aren't you?" Then" said
Digby, u knew was gone" The carriage
stopped in front OF the stage door, Digby and
his accompanist afightcd and entered the
theater.
The various numbers of the various in
diViduals were deliVered at leu 9Th came
Digby's turn, and with a quaking heart
he started upon his song. For the first
forty bars everything proceeded swim
mngly, and Digby felt he was making
'.hit'' when in the middle of the song.
as he was delivering the most difficult
passages, the most fearful discord was
heard emenating from his aeeompanist
Digby strove with might and main 10 sing
above the discordant element that saluted
his ears, but the more he strove the stronger
became The discord, and finally In sheer
despair he was necessitated 10 stop al
together, and advancing to the piano dis
covered that the trembling pianist bad,
III his dread and nervousness, turned over
several leaves at one time, and was about
thirtY-two bars ahead OF his singing
Taking the sheets OF music in his hand,
while the fearful accompanst beat a hasty
retreat. Digby advanced to the footlights
and amidst an oppressive and awe-inspir-
ing silence, i'd: Ladies' and gentlemen.
you will note by the program that am
announced for Thou Art Gone Up on
High. Well. have He then bowed and
made an exit. The laughter that followed
this witty acknowledgment was followed
by successive calls, AMI at last. iu answer
to the generous demand, he sought the
trembling accompanist, whom he found
concealed behiud a pile of scenery grasped
him by the collar, shook him into some
seEnbance OF manhood, thrust the music
of ''%ancy Lee into his hands. and delfv-
cred the song, as he claims. he has never
been able to render it since