Evening journal., 1901-12-16
STORIES OF
NOMR SINGERS
Times When Their Voices
We're Of Mere Worth
Than Money

Many years since, when travelling
with some friends In Mexico, Charles
santley was captured by halfbreed
bandits and, being unable to pay the
large ransom demanded, carried off to
the mountains. over supper the sing
er, by no means weighed down by
his mishap, chanced to break into song,
which so delighted the brigand chief
that he demanded an encore.
Santley saw his chance and ex-
pressed his willingness TO comply on
condition that he and his companions
were granted their release. The sug-
gestion was accepted, and for over two
hours was the singers voice raised in
such exquisite melody that the bandits.
true to their word. allowed him and
those with him TO depart.
The late Joseph Mas had some
what similar experience. Years back,
when with a companion buffalo hunt
ing on the American prairies he was
! captured by Indians and carried TO
their camp. When at his wits end
how 10 extrcate himself from the
/ dilemma, his friend suggested the pow
er Of song. Forthwith he commenced
an operate selection that so delighted
his captors that they loosened his
bonds and urged him, at the point OF
their spears TO continue.
Luckily his voice had a soporlic eff
feet upon the Indians, who one by one
dropped asleep until. just as he was
on the point Of stopping from exhaus-
tion. the last passed into the realms
Of dreams. Then he and his compan-
ion quietly stole away.
His wonderful voice on one occasion
placed the great tenor Mario I'm some
what lnvidlous position. When travel
ing with some companions IN Spain, he
fell into the hands Of n party of ma
rauding gypsles, who demanded the
customary ransom Mario, tickled at
the situation. answered their request
In impromptu song, which he delivered
with such exquisite mock dignity that
his captors with unanimous acclama-
tlon elected him captain of their band.
The singer automatically acQulesced in
their decision, but In the course of the
following day contrived to make his
escape with his friends.
On another occasion In Madrid the
same singer. as he was returning late
, one night from the theater where he
: was engaged. was arrested by the po-
I lice In mistake for a political discon-
. tent. In vain he asserted his identity.
4 He was carried before their chief, who
C likewise smiled incredulously at the
e captive's asseverations.
I Greatly angered. Mario vehemently
demanded that his friends should be
forthwith communicated WITH but the
official shook his head and remarked
that II indeed he were the great tenor
he possessed In his voice a sure means
of proving the truth Of his words Ten
p minutes later Mario was bowed out
with many regrets and profuse apollo
giles.
When travelling TO Paris with some
other ladies', Nine Grisl had a thrilling
I adventure Alta small wayside station
y man entered the carriage. and It soon
e became evident from his threatening
gestures and eccentric behavior that he
1 WIS "a AdNltlNuo iuuullts
/ Though her companions were panic
I stricken. Nine Grisi retained complete
presence Of mind and with the utmost
. composure began TO sing At once the
maniac was quiet; his whole attention
was rivoted on that magnificent voice,
and he remained the most appreciatlve
of listeners until the train reached the
next station. where he was secured. It
Z transplred subsequently that he was a
maniac with homicidal tendencies who
: had escaped from an asylum.
1 An amusing story Is told Of Lablache.
the celebrated bass singer. One day
as he was strolllng leisurely through a
French fair a cry was suddenly raised
I that n bear had escaped from the me-
O. nagerie. The crowd fled i'm every d.
rection-all save the singer, whose mas
! sive proportions precluded the idea OF
rapid motion Amid the general com.
d motion he among them all stood un-
moved calmly awaiting the advent OF
! the ferocious beast. which sure enough
came slouching rapidly toward him.
! When within n few feet, 1t halted as
though 10 gather itself together for a
final rush. when Lablache stepped for
, ward and from the lowest depths Of
, his immense chest sent forth such a
! thunderous roar that the terrified ami
r NAL turned and fed.
D when VIII n Man he Too Richs