The San Francisco call., 1897-10-03

comedian, De Wolf Hopper, who were
purple with suppressed laughter. The
situation was grasped by Digby in an
instant, a,-d De beat hasty retreat and,
notwithstanding the tumultuous call oi
the audience, refused to respond. Since
then Mr.. Palmer and Digby Bell do not
speak as they pass by.
Digby Bell. the famous comedian, made
his debut as pm blic singer in the City oi
Washington, a TACT that is not generally
known. The circumstances surrounding
Mr. Bells debut were both painful and hu-
morous, and what threatened to De q COM
plete tiasco for the debutant turned out to
be complete triumph.
After studying hard for six years in
Italy under the best masters and gradu-
ating from the Scala Theater in Milan
Mr.. Bell returned TO his native land filed
with anticipations of future triumphs and
brimful of ambition. He cast about him
for proper place to make his American
debut, and naturally selected Washing
ton, the nations capital, as the most
fitting field for his anticipated con-
quest. This was-welI, some years ago.
A concert was organized in 'Ford's Old
anu MI Dcil SEl6CIeu the
famous barytone solo from 1.-The Mes
siah, j." "Thou Art Gone Upon High" as
his piece de resistance, TO be followed by
the popular song, Nancy Lee," which
had Just been introduced at that period,
for an encore.
Mr.. Bell then looked about for a proper
accompanist and selected a well-known
organist of the city fo- the position. Said
organist was at that time famous for his
magnificent rendition of church music
aud equally celebrated for his extreme
nervousness and predisposition to effeml-
macy. For two weeks Digby and his ac-
companist faithfully practiced the two Sc
lection S, and at last the fateful evening
arrived and Mr.. Bell and the accompanies
proceeded together in carriage to
the theater.
The mum bers of the various individuals
were delivered. At length came Digbv's
turn, and with quaking heart he started
upon his song. For The first forty bars
everything proceeded swimmingly and
Digby felt he was making hit" when
in the middle of the song, as he was de-
livering the most difficult passages, a ter.
rible discord was heard emanating from
the piano. Digby strove with might and
main to 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 neces-
STATED to stop altogether, and advancing
to the piano, found that the trembling
pianist had turned over several leaves a,
one time and was about thirty.two bars
ahead of the singing.
Taking the sheets of music in his hand
while the accompanies beat a hasty re.
treat, Digby advanced to the footlights
amid an impressive and awe-inspirine
silence and said: Ladies and gentlemen,
you will note by the programme that
was announced for Thou Art Gone Up on
High Well, / have" He then bowed
and made an exit. The laughter that sue
ceeded this witty Acknowledgement was
| followed by successive calls, and at last,
| in answer to the generous demand, he
| sought the trem bling accom- panist, whom
he found concealed benind pile OF seem
cry, grasped him by the collar, shook him
| into some sem blance cf manhood, thrus,
| the music of Nancy Lee'' into his hands
and delivered the song as he claims he has
| never been able to render it since.