davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

had been in his family for generations
and had been his constant companion
since childhood.
He picked up the scattered frag
ments and wrapped them up tenderly.
secured the skin of the lion, and find
ing my horse Geza mounted him and
together we returned to the post. Geza
lay in the hospital with a fever for
several weeks, and shortly after his
recovery his troop was ordered to an
other post, and except in memory he
passed completely out of my life. A
soldier taxidermist prepared the skin
for me and applied a preservative to
the head which preserved its natural
appearance.
This was fifteen years ago.
Last evening at home l answered a
ring at the door. A figure dressed in
black and but dimly discernible in the
gloom outside handed me a roll of pa
per tied with black ribbon, and ere 1
could ask any question disappeared in
to the night
l returned to the parlor, where my
wife was sitting at the piano, and
opened the rolf curiously. 1t was an
arrangement for the piano dedicated
to me and composed by Geza Domen-
leo.
My wife looked it over for few
minutes and then began playing, slow
ly at first. and then more and more in
terestedly. 1t was the music of Clear
Creek Canyon, softened and subdued.
Gradually as it developed, however,
felt the old sensations creeping over
me, and then beautifully sweet and
clear rose the notes of the violin blend
ing with the piano in a composition of
exquisite harmony. How can l ade-
quately describe the return of the old
emotions as the piece progressed? The
hot blood surged to my temples as be-
fore, and then to my utter horror the
lion skin on the hearth gradually as
sumed the shape it held in life, the tail
lashed madly from side to side and
the jaws were red with blood. Then
there was a blood-curdling growi, a
crash of broken strings and all was
silence.
After a time, which seemed very long
to me. l bent to touch the lion skin
and it fell to pieces in my grasp, and
as lifted the head, which had fallen
entirely fiat, there was underneath it
only handful of ashes on the hearth
You, who never rested under the
spell of Domenico's music, may say
that 1 was imaginative or under the
influence of a self-induced hypnotic
condition; but I, 1 know that Geza Do
menico, intangible and invisible stood
in the room last night, compelling
through the perfection of his art a per-
feet Interpretation of the score and
joining with his violin in production
of incOmDara ble beautV
And through my life long I shall
carry the conviction that with the
brute creation there is a tomorrow of
death, and that an all-wise and benefi-
cent God doth in his own good time
guide even these
BY ways we cannot comprehend
To some unguessed, benignant end
HOWARD r. HURLBUT.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

into which choice or circumstance had
led her, lost his heart to her.
Not until it was too late did the ter
rible and shameful truth flash upon
him. When ne came home that night
l knew. He picked up the violin and
listlessly drew the bow across the
strings, then laid it aside wearily, but
he told me nothing.
L left him alone with his grief, wait
ing till he should come for me. Several
days later he was reported missing
from the post. He was not in the town
and after forty eight hours 1 started
out alone to seek some trace of him.
Clear Creek Canyon is one of the
most beautiful in all Wyoming. The
creek lashes itself to foam over it's
rocky bed; on either side the tree-clad
mountains rise to a great height and
in the far background the snow clad
peaks lift themselves into the impene-
trable deep of the sky. To the mere
plodder mountain torrent is a thing
of danger venting its anger in inces-
SAINT roaring; but to the artist the
musician and the poet it is at once a
delight and an inspiration.
The artist, in the mad swirl of the
waters, sees such graceful curvings in
infinite variety as he can find nowhere
else; the musician finds there the
many-throated lutte attuned to the
great orchestra of nature forever voic-
ing it's I'll Salutiamo' to the infinite;
for the poet it is the siren wooing him
with seductive sweetness of her voice,
Jifahpd a fiv1oac n
though she sought jealously to drown
the whisperings of the leaves. Know
ing DOmenico as [ did [ felt certain
that somewhere here 1 should find
trace of him, and L was not far wrong.
After riding nearly the entire day
along the winding and sometimes dan
geroUs trail at last I reached a COM
paratively level spot where the waters
flowed quietly for space.
My horse, affrighted at something I
could not see, snorted suddenly and
rearing turned and started to run down
the canyon.
No amount Of coaxing, nor even a
vigorous application of the spurs
could induce him to return. Slipping
the reins over his head so that he
might Craze along the trail I shoul-
dered my rife and proceeded on foot.
Tremulously, as the faint stirring of
the leaves when the day begins to
make itself felt, there came floating to
me the tones of Geza's violin. Strange
that 1 should have happened upon
him at such a moment. I recognized
the piece that he was about to play:
it was the prolusion of the second act
of his opera, and entitled the
Awakening of Love-" One who has
witnessed a dawn in the tropics. when
a thousand feathered songsters were
piping their matin lays, might form a
fair conception of the riotous ire
sponsibility and joyousness of the
music that came drifting toward me
across the Open At BUDAPEST, on the
occasion of it's initial production, the
audience rose en- masse and called for
the composer. Again and again was
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

would sigh and say to himself, Rome
is SO far away-so far away"
The weeks passed. The little hoard
of money was almost exhausted, and
POali's shoes were worn out from
much weary walking over the hard
cObbles. And then, when sore and
discouraged from his unsuccessful
tramps, the tired musician would step
softly into the big cathedral and re-
fresh his heart and soul with the mu-
sic that was so dear to him.
1t was on one of these days that a
kindly priest, noticing the pale and
haggard face of the stranger, and rec
ognizing countryman, stopped to
speak a word of encouragement. In
a few moments Paoli's sad story was
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

Many times during the last few
months I have taken UP my pen to give
to the world the story Of Geza Domen-
leo, but always after having written
several pages entirely unsatisfactory
to myself 1 have felt upon my own the
restraining touch of an invisible hand
and laid aside my work.
But now that 1 know he is dead the
impulse to write has come strongly
upon me, and 1 know that it can be
written.
The family of Domenico is one of the
Oldest and most aristocratic in Italy
1t has been for generations one of the
greatest refinement, has never been
connected with scandals at court, and
has always lent the influence of its
wealth and great name to the music
and art and the literature of the time
Geza first saw the light Of day in Flor
ence,
Where the quiet Arno flows,
and up to his twelfth year breathed,
in the atmosphere of his romantic sur
roundings, the poetry and dreamy ro-
nance of that most beautiful of all
Italian cities. Then through some fan
cied intrigue of his father the elder
Domenico was banished from Italy.
Crossing with his family into Austria
Hungary, he located after several
years in BUDAPEST, that center whence
so many musical geniuses flash upon
the world, weaving into their Hunga-
rian melodies all the wild dreamings Of
love and battle and death which we
find threading so much Of the Hunga-
rian composition.
Here Geza, with every opportunity
wealth could afford, perfected himself
in his studies on the violin, and in his
twenty-first year produced his opera.
THE King and the Subject" scoring
an instantaneous success. The score
was Of the highest order, and pro-
duced a profound sensation in the
Hungarian capital Not so, however,
the Ifbretto, which I had the misfor-
tune to write. Innocent enough in it
81, in it's allusions to the rulers of the
c4lntry. the artists reading more deeply
between the lines than even l had
dreamed, and adding to the sentiment
the buffoonery of the stage, the hbret-
to. when it reached the court, was as
unpopular as the music was accept
able.
The mandate issued from Vienna and
Geza was compelled to quit the coun-
try. l, being an American, was treated
r less cavalierly, but in various ways
which one even less observant than
myself could not fail to note, I was led
to believe my continued residence in
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

proved himself to be possessed of rare
musical genius, although he was too
modest and timid to tell his benefactor
at the cathedral all he could do.
All day long he would write at the
little dingy window-all day long and
far into the highland ORourke, the
policeman, would peer through the
broken shutters and speak a kindly
word to the brave little man bending
over his work, while from the inner
room came the soft breathing of
Flosca, the wife, and Anita, the babe
1t was hard to live on the slender
earnings of the little musician, how
ever, for Paoli was so conscientious
and neat with his work that he spent
much more time in arranging a mass
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

told. In the course of the conversation
the good father learned that the stran-
ger was musician, and familiar with
the music of the church. The inter
view ended by Paoli receiving an invi-
tation to call that evening at the study
of the priest, who would give him
some music to arrange, and if the
work was we'll done there might be
much of it to do in the future. With
a hearty clasp of the hand and an
admonition TO be of good cheer Paoli
was sent home with light heart to
tell the good news to Flosca and to
dance joyously around the room with
Anita cooling in his arms.
So the months passed and Paoli
worked hard with the music. He
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

you on your wonderful work. 1t was
grave liberty to take-this changing
the harmony of a great master-put
you have proved yourself equal to the
task"
Paoli could hardly believe his ears,
and his eyes filled with tears at the
kindly words of the father, who In
leaving gave the happy musician a
cordial invitation to be present at the
final rehearsal a few evenings hence.
1t seemed to Paoli that the time
would never come, so great was his
eagerness to listen to his music. AT
last he started for the cathedral, but
when the entrance was reached he
| faltered, a strange feeling of timidity
and restraint causing him to pause
irresolute. But Father Bassini, antici-
pating the modesty of the musician,
was awaiting in the vestibule, and
soon Paoli was being introduced to the
singers and the great soprano was
smiling upon him and praising his
work.
1t was past the hour for rehearsal,
and they were all there but the organ
list. The choir master looked at the
clock and frowned. There he comes"
said some one, as a form was seen
Fastening up the dimly lighted aisle;
but it was only a messenger boy, who
brought the news that the organist
had been stricken with a serious ill
ness and could not come
What shall we do, what shall we
do?" cried the priest, almost weeping
in his trouble. THE music all ready,
Christmas but day off and no organ
list, and he groaned in despair
If you will permit me, father, will
play the organ" said a quiet voice at
his side, and looking up the priest be-
held Paoli.
You, my son? You play the great
organ?"
Yes, I, father. I have played for
the holy father at Rome See! He
gave me this ring because my play
ing pleased him. and Paoli, in modest
pride, held out a delicate finger, on
which glistened the Pope's signet.
After the murmurs of pleased sur
prise were over Paoh took his seat on
the bench, and manipulating the maze
of stops with a practiced hand began
the prelude.
Through the whole mass he played
with wonderful mastery, the organ re-
| sponsive to an almost human degree.
| The souls of the singers, thrilled with
wonder and admiration, made the
music more soul-inspiring than even
Paoli had dreamed it could be.
When the musicians had departed
Father Bassini clasped the slender or
ganist to his breast and said, "Bless
you, my son; the grand organ has at
last found a worthy master!''
"Oh, Flosca mia, play the organ to-
morrow, Christmas, and after that al
ways!" was the joyful news impaired
to the waiting wife that night, and
with a smile of ineffable sweetness and
confidence she stood with her arms
about his neck and replied:
cat last, my Paoli. we have found
another Italy. This is our Rome!'
All was hustle and confusion in the
household of O'Rourke, the policeman,
Christmas morning.
Hurry up and dress the kids, Mag
gie,'' said the head of the house as he
struggled with a refractory collar;
I'VE go to the cathadral this morning
to hear the new organist."
1.-The new organist, Mike? And sure,
who may he be?'
Faith responded the worthy
O'Rourke as he admired as much as
he could see of himself in the little
mirror, faith, an it's me frien', the
little Dago.'
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

In two small rooms on the ground
floor Of a rickety tenement lived Paoli,
his Wife FlOsca and their baby girl,
Anita They had not intended to live
in such an humble manner when they
left their Italian home year ago-ah,
no, they We're coming to America-to
california, another sunny Italy-and
A happy and make lots of money.
|'Fcr was not Paolis father a prosper
Gus fruit merchant in the city so far
away in the west, and had he not sent
them the gold that would bring them
across the sea and land to him?
So they smiled farewell to the good
friends, the holy father had himself
blessed them. and then the little
family started for the land of sun
shine and goId-Paoli, Flosca and the
babe Anita and the little harmonium
that was too precious to leave behind.
But PaOli arrived in San Francisco
only to find that the fruit merchant,
his father, had been dead a month,
and instead of the proud array of
fruits and vegeta ables he had expected
TO see nothing but a cheerIess For
Rent sign greeted his fearful eyes
when led to the place by a sympa-
thetic countrymen. All the money of
used to defray the funeral expenses.
Alone. friendless and almost penni-
less in a strange land the little family
stricken with the awful blow sought
shelter in one of the big tenements
that rear their gloomy fronts on the
narrow alleys, which in mock cour-
tesy are called streets.
Every day PaoH would kiss his
weeping Flosca and little Anita and
tramp the streets of the big city look
ing for something to do, he knew not
what. His countrymen were kind, but
alas, so pOorI-and PaOh would not
accept aims. 1t was work he wanted.
But when he asked for employment
his countrymen would shake their
heads kindly; he was too small, too
delicate; the work was too rough;
could he not find something to do with
his music? But PaoIi would explain
to them that he did not speak the
language and besides, he would add
with a bitter smile, he did not belong
10 the union.
So for many weary days he sought
vainly for work, only to meet with dis
appointment and rebuff. Then he
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30

II read in the newspaper testimonials from
people who claimed to nave been cured o.
kidney trouble by the use of DR.. Williams
Pink Pills for Pale People and thought that
it would do me no harm to give them q trial.
| bought a box of them at the drug store and
began taking them according 10 directions.
1t may seem strange, but it is fact that [
felt the benefit of them almost as soon as |
began to take them. After | had taken
few pills my urinal discharges became almost
as black as tar and | noticed at the same
time that the pain and soreness were leav-
ing my kidneys.
"a few days later the swelling began to so
out of my ankles, and at the end of five
with it that terrible scurf which had formed
much trouble. | continued to gather my
lost strength, and at the end of six weeks
felt entirely recovered and resumed my work
at the shop. / think took from four to Eve
boxes of the pills and have taken none since"
Mr.. McMillen's residence on West Wash
ington street, is more than a mile distant
from his shop, but nearly every day he walks
the entire distance morning and evening,
and he could not do this if that swelling
still existed.
Mr.. McMillen has no hackwardnesS in talk
ing of the merits of DIR. Williams Pink Pills.
DIR. Williams Pink Pills for Pale People
contain in 4 condensed form, all the elements
necessary to give, new life and richness to the
blood and restore shattered nerves. Pink
Pills are sold by all dealers, or will be sent
post paid on receipt of price 50 cents q box. or
six boxes for $3.50 they are never sold in bulk
or by the 1907, by addressing DR.. Williams
! Medicine Company, Schenectady, n. Y.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30
4 PIONEER shoemaker,
WORKING At HIS TRADE ALTHOUGH EIGHTYFIVE YEARS Old
Mr. James McEen of Champaign Has Followed the Shoanakers
1Iads All His Life Every Day at His Bench Working with Appa
emily the Same VgOr as Young Man A Sketch Of sLife
From the Gazette Cnampaien, III.

At the advanced age Of eighty-fve years,
James McMillen, of 112 West Washington
street, is one of the most active men in Cham
paign, Illinois. Mr.. McMillen is pioneer
citizen of the city and his form is as familiar
on the streets as that of any citizen of the
town. All his life Mr.. McMillec has fol-
lowed the trade of shoemaker, and every day
finds him at his bench, bending over his work
with apparently the same vigor he COM
manded when he was young man.
He has little shop on North Wright street
in the vicinity of the University of Illinois,
and he is the official shoemaker, as it were
for the students of that institution.
About a year ago Mr.. McMillen was absent
from his bench for several weeks, and his
familiar form was missed along the streets.
The local newspapers announced that he
sufferer, but finally he appeared again at
his shop, and has lost but very few days
since then and none, perhaps on account of
sickness. His friends were surprised to see
him out again, and they were more surprised
when he told them the cause of his recovery.
There was no small amount of local inter-
est in his case, and a reporter visited him,
to have him relate the story.
II feel" said the spry old gentleman,
"that | owe my life to DR.. Williams Pink
Pills for Pale People. Something like a
year ago it appeared to me that | was almost
a physical wreck. [ was suffering from a
disease of the kidneys. A thick scurf had
formed on the bottoms of my feet and my
ankles were terribly swollen and inflamed.
In fact, they reached such a condition that /
could not walk, and it looked as though my
days were numbered.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30
S. F. Durga has received the appoint
ment of station agent at Menasha on the
Wisconsin Central line.

S. F. Durga has received the appoint
ment of station agent at Menasha on the
| Wisconsin Central line
Frank Whitrock wishes to announce
to the public that he will have sufficient
watermelons to accommodate all who
visit his farm Sunday next.
Miss Nellie and Guy Nash accompan-
led the young people to Madison the
past week and then went 10 Milwaukee.
Guy returned home this morning and
Miss Nellie went back TO Madison for a
weeks visit.
Mr., and Mrs. II. Pellersels returned
Wednesday morning from a three
weeks visit with his parents in Sac
City, Iowa. Mr. Pellersels reports his
father and mother well, happy and
prosperous and their visit home most
enjoyable one.
W. A. Wheelan, attorney-at-law, has
rented a suite Of rooms of John E..
DAILY in his new block in which he will
open law office. Will is one of our
promising young men and we join with
his many friends in wishing him success
in his profession. We feel sure he will
obtain it.
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Laramie of Chel-
sea, Taylor county, Wis, have been
spending the past week with relatives
and old time acquaintancesi in Centralia.
Mr.. Laramie is employed as shingle
sawyer IN large saw mill in the north
ern part Of the state, a position he has
held down steadily for many months.
Messrs. F. A. Weaver, salesman in
the Johnson, Hill & Co. dry goods store,
and Orrie O'Dell, barber for A. Sickles,
spent Sunday on their bicycles taking
a spin to Stevens Point and returning
by way Of junction city. The day was
model one for a cross-country ride
and the gentlemen report good roads
most of the way around.
A. w. Rumsey returned home from
Milwaukee Sunday morning where, with
his wife, he spent a few days at the
State fair. 1t was reported that he
brought down a pen Of his Barred Ply
mouth Rock chickens to put on exhibi-
ton, but MIR. Rumsey says this is a
mistake. He states that he has some
much finer birds than anything seen at
the fair and he could have been an easy
prize winner had be thought of exhib-
! itin0 them Mrs RumSeV is still visit
ing relatives in the city
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30

Hotel McGregor, at Stevens Point,
will change hands October /, Jasper
Crotteau formerly of the Commercial,
Centralia, retiring and Ira E. Bean, of
Sheboygan taking charge. Mr.. Bean
has been connected with hotel life for
many years, has an extensive acquaint-
ance with the travelling pablo, and
hopes 10 make the hotel McGregor a
paying institution, something it has not
been for several years. Mr.. Crotteau
has been proprietor of the McGregor
since May /, 1896. He will probably
decide To move his family 10 the fine
farm which he owns near Rudolph,
Wood county. His goods are now being
transferred and all friends ale glad to
have Jasper come back nearer to them
once more.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30
State Of Wisconsin-County Court
for Wood County-In Probate.

In the matter of the estate of Mary Martin
deceased.
Letters testamentary on the estate of said Mary
Martin, deceased, having been granted and is
sued to Laura Bloom and Nina Schnable on the
18th day of September, 1897, it is now at this
regular term of this court,
ORDERED, that all creditors of said Mary
Martin, deceased do present their claims for
examination and allowance to this court on or
before the LIST Monday in April. 1898, which
time is hereby allowed and limited for that
purpose.
ORDERED FURTHER, that the claims and de-
mands OF all persons against said deceased be
presented to, received, examined and adjusted
by this court at the regular terms thereof to be
held at the probate office in the city of Grand
Rapids, in said county, on the first Tuesday in
December, 1897, and the first Tuesday in April
1898.
AND IT Is FURTHER ORDERED, that notice OF
the time and place at which said CLAIMS and de-
mands Will be received, examined and adjusted
as aforesaid, and of the time limited for credit
Ors to present their claims be given by publish
ing copy of this order and notice for four
successive weeks in the Wood County Reporter,
weekly newspaper published at the city OF
Grand Rapids in said county, the first publica-
ton to be within ten days from the date of the
order.
Dated September 18th, 1897.
By the Court,
Z. c. PORs,
Sept9w4 County Judge