, 1897-04-09

his own preferences, but he shrugged
his shoulders and replied, laughing
MY favorite role? That is probably my
own secret
No secrets among the colleagues.
grumbIed Pedrocchi.
No secrets?' was Campobassi's an-
swer. Well, perhaps l will play you
my favorite role tonight
"'Oh, the Trovatore!' we exclaimed.
for we were to bring out the opera
on hat day for the first time in Farli.
Campobassi shrugged his shoulders
again, and We broke Oh the conversa-
ton at this point, as our prima donna
came toward us under the arcades.
"On the evening of the same day the
'Trovatore' was placed on the boards.
All that Farli possessed Of a%ristocracy
and distinction was present at the thea
ter that night Not a seat was vacant.
The great expectations which were
cherished concerning ~Campobassi's per-
Torrance were not disappointed. Here
he could give himself free rein, and his
voice rang through the house not like a
tenor-no, like n choir Of tenors. The
applause would not cease, and Campo
bassi was called out repeatedly.
cat last came the 'Stretta.' Now the
audience would surely be thrown into
ecstasies, and we had not deceived our
selves. Wreath after wreath was flung
from the boxes, all the people stamped
their feet, clapped and cried 'Viva!'
and 'Da Capo!' Finally Campobassi,
smiling, made a gesture to signify that
he would repeat the 'Stretta.' The storm
was laid, and it grew suddenly so still
i'll the theater that II could have heard
the buzzing of a fly. We all stood there
behind the scenes and beheld Campo
bassi step forward to the footlights, o
departure from custom which did not
strike us oddly, for tenors are allowed
many liberties.
but what WAS that? He was saying
something III an undertone to the or
chestra, and the musicians, who had
already begun the opening bars, broke
off in their playing. Instead of the
notes of the 'Stretta' we heard Campo
bassi speak-speak words which made
the blood stiffen in our veins, which
threw such a spell over us that we were
unable to stir FROM the spot long after
Campobassi had finished his speech.
II can remember it rs wildly as if
it had all happened yesterday. 'Honored
patrons and citizens of Farli, he began
and probably at this point he made
one of his consummately graceful bows
II thank you for the affection you
have shown for me, the more since this
is my farewell appearance. After to-
night you will, l fear, hardly care to
hear me again. l beg you will all re-
main quietly in your seats, for then,
upon my honor, o n hair OF any ones
head shall be molested. Any movement
can only lead to mischief, for my men
are patrolling the corridors and all the
exits are guarded. Nor can help come
to you from the direction Of the stage.
for the enlarged chorus which has to-
night sung SO ~valiautly consists, for the
most part, Of my own people, and they
also are we'll furnished with weapons.
I am, honored patrons, the Fra Angelo
whose name is certainly we'll known tc
you. I, too. nm armed, as you see, and
these pistols are well loaded. But far
be it from me to inflict any injury upon
you who have shown me so much con-
sideration-my word for that. At this
very moment u member of the chorus
has already taken our honored impre-
sario in charge. That l shall not exact
tribute Of my colleagues you will natu-
..l1v ;,,f,r n, kla Dthov ko,,l nDrDr,l
patrons, l have often provided enter
tainment for you. and it is OH that ac-
count justifiable that I should require
some recompense from you. more espe-
cially since our impresario has paid
me an honorarium which my sense Of
shame will not permit me to name. So
have the kindness, good people, to de.
liver your watches, rings, chains, purses
and the like with all alacrity to those
who will now pass from seat to seat.
The exits are guarded, ~ I have re-
marked, and the more generously and
quietly you perform your part the
quicker will this business be accom-
plished. In the meantime l will ask the
orchestra to play some favorite airs,
which may serve as an agreeable dis
traction for those who have discharged
their obligations
SIN truth, the orchestra did COM
mence to play, and. as we learned later,
everything passed Of IA Fra Angelo had
wished. As q matter of fact, all his
threats had been superfiuous, for the
name Of the famous bandit had alone
suficed to render every one helpless.
Fra Angelo supervised the entire
transaction from the stage, said a few
words Of thanks when it was ended,
then turned toward the flies. As he
passed us he clapped me laughingly on
the shoulder and said, Did 1 not tell
you, Cicogna, that l should play my
favorite role tonight?'
with that he vanished, and we
rushed terrified out into the open air.
The audience streamed put at the doors
in unwonted haste, and the first among
them had already summoned the guard
ians of the SO called public safety. A
few moments later the signals Ct the
carabinieri sounded through the streets
Of the town, but Of Fra Angelo and his
men not a trace was to be found. -
From the German For Short Stories.