The San Francisco call., 1899-06-25

the songs of the sailors, But how to rem
der them in dramatic fashion with the
true accent, what an immense success
you would have"
''God defend me from such q fate"
was his energetic reply Would you
which 1 would have to deliver my songs
II | were there? Well listen"
Nibor then adopted a pose suggestive
of Talma, and used the classic emphasis
so dear TO celebrated tragedians. The
accent was Intentionally stacy, unnat-
ural and cloying.
well, madame" said he, in an almost
harsh voice. when he had concluded the
little comedy you know our 'Mathu-
rims the sailors of our beloved Brittany.
Tell me. would you have me lisp my
songs in cuphemistical tones, describing
what is offensive in inoffensive Ian
guage? l will never use this classic jar
gon to tell of the joys and sorrows of our
toilers of the deep. Were l to do so l
should not be a faithful interpreter of
what passes in their minds"
How 1 would like Sarah Bernhardt to
hear you" 1 exclaimed to Nibor.
1T would give me pleasure. too. Sew
eral of my friends have promised me an
introduction to her, and not one of them
has so far kept his word and he smiled
philosophically
well I will make no promise, but if
! It plea3es you we will go and see her at
| once in the green room of the Renais-
| sance, and You will recite a couple OF
| songs to guarantee your welcome"
but l am not in evening dress he
replied,
do not let that trouble you I an
! swered. Sarah will listen to you with
out paying any attention to the color Of
your coat"
On our arrival at the theater ! had
] ,lea Of NibCr
| and our escort to the great Bernhardt.
| l still see in my minds eye Nibor
advancing 10 take the outstretched hand
which sh, proffered him He took it al
most aNkwardly. holding himself very
erect. He was polite but did little bow
ing, his mind being doubtlessly at sea.
With her wondrous eyes Sarah looked on
him with astonshment. for she prob
! ably had formed an ideal of the sailor
poet differing from the reality.
81 hope" I said to him, you will have
the kindness to recite to madame one of
those poems that gave US so much pleas
ure just now"
Nibor locked at me and said in unaf-
fected fashion: Il do not know what to
| say; besides that. I am hoarse."
Begin with The Box From China, "
I suggested.
Good-by. my little sailor lad; yes go, al
though I mourn
To see you thus for far-away Torquir
setting out;
I feel that I am very old, my body it is
worm
That I'll be here when you come back
again l sadly doubt.
ooh. let him begin with what he likes.
said Sarah, in those mellifiuous tones
which caused Victor Hugo to say tha
she possessed "a voice of gold,' ant
adds: please speak; do not sing
He approached near her, and in sim
pie, easy manner commenced;
Before you go, my sailor lad, to satisfy
my mind
Though l am sure that you'n fight wei
and never be afraid,
Around your neck my scapula now vii
safely bind
Twill always bring you happiness, sc
our good cure said.
Sarah listened attentively with a Sc
rous expression on her face, and as the
verses-sublime by force of the poignant
truths they ontained-followed eacf
other in charming rhythm her face be
came the mirror of her soul and showed
how it was suffering.
When he reached the verse where the
broken-hearted old grandmother places
around her grandson's neck the blessed
medal as benson to protect him IL
fighting the battles of France in Tonquir
and says to him
1t was some six weeks later when the
good old grandmamma
Got from her little sailor lad a simple
box of wood.
Within the wooden box there lay just ar
old scapula,
Pierced by Chinese bullets and darkly
stained with blood.
Better than braves. tears rolled dowr
every cheek. while Sarah's face was In
undated She rose from her chair anc
taking lIibor's hands said:
''It is magnifcent-it is superb, and
find you grander than Victor Hugo
Yam Nibor whose real name is Albert
Rohin FIST saw the light some two scor,