The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-24

time the genius of the hair-dresser was not
called into requisition. / was presented
at the ConserVatoire with my hair shaggy
my young face unpowdered and with my
childish self-confidence. Many young girls
were there; beautiful charming, remind
ing one of spring. Some were laughing
and chattering the others pensive and
sad. All were hopeful,bu nevertheless fri
ghtened. There We're very young girls, and
some almost women-for pull" will. even
there, lead toTnany a breech of rule. My
aunt accompanied me, as my mother
never went where she would have to wait.
Waiting always made her nervous and put
her in bad hupior / made friends at
once with an adorable young girl an ex-
quisite and living Greuze
Her name was hose Baretta. She was
the sister of Biancie. Mime. Worms. to-
The latter then quite a child. was playing
with my sister Jane and Marie Tamary
all being of the same, age. White as a
lily, with her red hair, and looking so
slender in her blue wooden dress Rose at
tracted me. l sat down next her and we
became friends al once and forever.
Death, who cut off the poor young wo-
man amidst all her happiness could alone
break our friendship marked by our mu-
tual joys and our shattered hopes.
Poor Rose! Poor little Rose!
When Pere Constant as the usher was
nicknamed, called me 7 had a strong de-
sire to escape, and half dead with fear. en-
tered the big hall. Several men were
seated at a large table, talking In the
background was a high platform, and on
it L saw young man, tall and dark, roll
ing his enormous eyes under very bushy
eyebrows
what are you going to recite?' said he.
His name was Leotand and he is now
the chief prompter in La Comedie Fra
caise.
THE fable of the two pigeons" I whis-
pered.
What! But they do not recite fables
here!' said he smothering a laugh.
The bell rang Courtesy said the
amiable Leotand in a low voice
l obeyed, and my eyes wandered for the
first time to the dreaded "Areopage," and
began to tremble An examination at the
conservatoire is a terrible thing. 1t is, l
think almost cruel, to submit weak nerves
of a child to such a severe test Often,
on this account perhaps, those possess
ing the requisite qualities are rejected.
] tried to single out among those faces
one encouraging to my first attempt.
Auber at first attracted me, but his sar-
castle smile chilled me. He saw it and,
bending toward Augustine Brohan, whis-
pered something to her that caused her to
laugh almost aloud. Tears came to my
eyes, and my sobbing smile made a silent
bppedl 70 another lace. canine DOuCel
answered my anxious look with an en-
couraging nod of his kind head and l felt
saved. l began my fable, not losing sight
for a moment of my new protector, and
finding in his benevolent attitude the
much-peeded courage
I reoited1 the pretty verses Of La Fon-
tame. in one breath. My Tembhng voice
involuntaTily found tones fun of tender
ness. The bell rang suddenly, 1 stopped
DO you know anything else, little girl?"
asked Auber
YES; know the scene of Agnes, but not
we'll"
Say what you know Of it."
curtseyed again, and after few verses
the bell rang anew.
Courtesy and retire" said Leotand, and
It was all over.
In passing. Auber stopped me.
she is cute" said he, turning toward
the others.
"a skinned cat" said a gentleman who
had kept his hat on his head. 1t was
Beauvalet, the actor
II will take her in my class. ] will
make something out of her" exclaimed
another man, with a pale face and lumi-
nous white hair IL was Provost.
Am l accepted then|' l exclaimed, be-
side myself with joNn
YES; come and Hiss me. You have a
pretty voice and intelligent eyes You
little one. for without hight it is not posi-
bic for you to play suitable roles"
1 kissed M. Provost and departed mad
with Joy.
Il am accepted, auntie: let us go quickly
and tell mamma at once"
The first day OF my class was a Monday.
I have ever since been partial to that day.
However l never suffered so much from
timidity and from pride as on that first
day Anybody who has had to undergo
a public examination knows the tortures
endured on that day Of presentation to the
conservatoire. II seemed terrible. II