The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-30
THESE HAD NO PRESS AGENTS.
Thrilling Adventures the Lot OF
Famous Singers of Old.
From Tit Bits


Many years since, when travelling
with some friends in Mexico. Charles
Santley was captured by half-breed In
dams, and. being unable to pay the
large ransom demanded was carried
off to the mountains. over supper the
singer. by no means weighed down by
his mishap, CHANGED to break into song,
which so delighted the brigand chief
that he demanded an encore.
Santley saw his chance, and express
ed his willingness to comply on con-
dition that he and his companions were
granted their release. The suggestion
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 sof1e-
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
to extricate himself from the diem
ma his friend suggested the power 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 soporific eff
feet upon the Indians, who one by one
dropped asleep until, just as he was
on the point Of stopping from exhaus-
ton the last passed into the realms of
dreams. Then he and his companion
quietly stole away.
His wonderful voice on one occasion
placed the great tenor Mario in a
somewhat inviduous position. When
- mt. IN
Spain he fell into the hands of party
of marauding Gypsies, who demanded
the customary ransom. Mario, tickled
at the situation, answered their re-
quest in impromptu song. which he
delivered with such an exquisite mock
dignity that his captors with unanl-
NOUS exclamation elected him captain
of the band. The singer automatically
acquiesced 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-
lice in mistake for a political discon-
tent. He was carried before their chief.
who likewise smiled incredulously at
the capitve's observations.
Greatly angered, Mario vehemently
demanded that his friends should De
forthwith communicated with, but the
official shook his head and remarked
that If indeed he were the great tenor
he possessed in his voice a sure means
OF proving the truth of his words. Ten
minutes later Mario was bowed out
with many regrets and profuse apollo
giles.
When travelling to Paris with some
other ladies Nine. Grisi had a thrilling
adventure At a small wayside sta
ton a man entered the carriage. and
il soon became evident from his threat
ening gestures and eccentric behavior,
that he was a dangerous lunatic.
Thong her companions were panic
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 riveted on that magnificent voice
and he remained the most appreciatve
of listeners until the train reached the
next station. where he was secured IL
sranspired subsequently that he was
a maniac with homicidal tendencies,
who had escaped from an asylum.