Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-07-02
CREDULOUS GERMANS
A BERLIN NEWSPAPER AND ITS READ.
ERS NEATLY TAKEN IN.

Story of Jenny Lind and Barnum, Cred.
tied to Maurice strakosoh and Worked
or on the Editor of Dns Tageblatt as
Veritable History.
If there is any limit to the credulity of
the German journalist touching all mat
tiers relating to America, or at least all
those which reflect upon the American
character, it has not yet been discovered.
recent feuilleton in Das Taeeblatt of
Berlin, entitled Jenny Lind and Bar
mum, " was written by somebody who calls
himself Franz Fridberg, who vouches for
the literal truthfulness" of the story,
which he says was told him by Maurice
Strakosch Poor Strakosch, alns is dead
and cannot defend himself. He was II
most amiable raconteur, and none of his
friends was ever disposed to exact the I'M
adorned truth from him when he was in
dulging his fondness for "Reminiscences, but
1t is an insult to his memory to attribute
"a story like this of Fridberg's to him.
The story in brief was MS follows: Jenny
Lind had won great popularity in Eng
land. but earned no money. For the latter
convenient commodity she was obliged to
wait till She came to America. That visit
was brought about i'm this way Gold
schmidt her accoMyanist, had gone to
America to seek his fortune. 1t had been
a hard parting fer ho loved the singer Che
attcrward married hcr). and the result was
Disappointment. He WAS ublut tn return
home when he met Blrnum and com
planned to him of his iii luck Barnum
was equally uuhaTIy. He had tried every
thing" circus, violin vrtuosos, dancers,
educated apes. learned lecturers but all
~, u 4, I
that he knew singer in England who
might be card in America
"A singer; Pahl what's her name9"
"Jcnny Lind. "
"Thut's no name
"But she sings beautifully"
Good thing for her but no business for
me. ~
"But she's the greatest singer in Eng
land "
Better still for her. But we'll talk
about something else"
After while spent in talk on other sub
jects GolGschnlidt returned to the attack.
For Gods sake, Barnum broke in
impatently, leave me in peace with your
singer. We have as many singers as there
are sands ON the seashore."
"Pity, replied Goldschmidt carelessly;
"perhaps, after all, something might be
done with the swedish Nightingale "
Barnum leapcd to his feet. What's
that Swcdish'-
"That 5 what they call her in England. 3"
"What is she called;'
"The Swedish Nightingale. "
"The Swedish Nightingale? Telegraph
at once to Miss Jenny Lind. will engage
her for 100 concerts; 1000 down, free
voyage and living for three persons At
once!
But my dear friend, you haven't
heard herr"
Heard her What the devil do know
about music. Swedish Nightingale! I'm
mensc And you, unlucky wretch, wait
till now before telling mel'
Goldschmidt rushed to the telegraph Of
fee, sent the message, received an answer
and the thing was donel
This much Of the story might be accept
ed good naturcdly even if the facts were
not Of record that the contract between
Barnum and Jenny Lind was negotiated
by Mr. Barnums agent j. H. Wilton, in
! January, 1850, with the singer herself;
that this was year and four months be-
fore Mr. Goldschmdt who joined her
company here in May, 1851, after Mr.. .Ju-
Illus Benedict, the original pianist had re-
turned to England, over saw America, and
that the Geographic message so peremp-
torily ordered and promptly sent was dis
patched eight years before there was un
Atlantic cable
But the marvels are just beginning. A
new bridge was building in the harbor
| The new spapcrs announced that it was to
! be dedicated when Jenny Lind arrived.
| There it stands regal structure. crowd.
ed with humanity waiting for the ship
| Only invited guests have been given access
to it. The ship comes in sight A ire
mendous excitement soizes the masss. All
crowd forward shriesing " Hurrahl" way
| ing handkerchicfs, stamping with their
feet. A crash, - scream Of horror The
bridge has collapsed Was it an accident
| due to the faulty construction OF the
! BRIDGE Oh; not 1t was Barnum's most
! ,nop.V IN builJ rho Lr;l,,, Jir,l ~, .t;,,