The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-15
NOTED SONG KING HAD VERY
SAD END IN SOUTHERN TOWN.

Ferdinand Lust. the once famous COM
poser died recently without friends ana
I'm poverty. The end came at Clarksville,
Tenn, where he was left by a stranded
opera company. The man who has charm
ed thousands by his sweet music had his
romance and sad tragedy, and the story
OF My Rosary" his last song, which Is
now being sung everywhere, is told for
the first time.
When Ferdinand Lust's music was at
the height OF its popularity not many
years ago he had all the money and
friends he desired. He held the position
OF organist in Vermont church at a sal
airy Of 5000 year and was instructor TO
Modjeskas son.
An opera OF his was meeting with big
success and his royalties from the fa-
nous 'Trilby Waltz" alone brought in "A
small fortune He Travelled far and wide
and visited many parts of the earth. lie
had ali that wealth, health. and fame
could give him.
But there came a change. When the
years began TO creep upon him wealth
and health began TO lade away. He drift
ed out TO san Francisco and taught for a
few years. and then went TO Colorado
CpflnEs lime no otSdHe ~ NdnutTeu
without home or friends.
lie Joined the Marie Bell opera com
pany as conductor, but things didn't go
we'll, and when Clarksville. Tenn. was
reached the organization disbanded.
Without cent OF money the now fee
BILE and gray-haired composer was thrown
upon his own resources and tried to earn
n few dollars BY teaching. But he was
lonely. In bad health, aud had no friend,
brother, or sister HIS life was so desc
late that even strangers noticed IL and
would speak a kind word TO the gray
haired musician.
Ills sorrow was increased BY a romance
Of his youth, The girl he had loved In the
iatherland and from whom he had been
separated by lovers quarrel had been
lost 20 him. and he knew not whether
she was dead or alive.
LJsls FAyoRITE PUPIL.
But there WAS one who brought cheer
to his last days She was beautiful
Southern girl with the fair, soft CON
pleNion of the southern cline. She had
seen but 10 summers and was as sweet
and unse.hsh as she was beautiful
She was his favorite pupil and she al
ways tried Go throw a few rays OF sun
shine into his life. Sometimes when the
lessons were over she would pin rose
bud OH his coat or send some little deli
cacy 90 his lonely studio.
Often there were big punches OF South
ern roses. lie would place them on his
piano and play out his soul TO the sweet
scented beauties. once he pressed a bud
in book ana pinned II TO poem.
But the gray hairs were growing thicker
among the thin locks and his health was
falling. One morning in the fall. that
pretty Indian summer OF the South, he
went to her home 90 give a lesson as
usual. She saw that he was very weak
and she did not want him 10 teach that
day. But he insisted.
lie needed the money. she reluctant
~ yielded. That morning she sang sweet
er than usual and there was something
especially tender I'm his music. But the
effort WAS too much for him. All of a
sudden his head began 10 reel, his eyes
dimmcd and his voice failed.
He clutChed al a chair and fell 10 the
floor. lie awoke on the couch and felt the
touch of gentle hand upon his brow He
seemed to realize that the end was uraw-
ing near and his eyes filed with tears as
he gazed upon the young girl.
Ii a friend like the one beside him could
do so much for an old man, what would
had been so kind TO him and he
owed so much to the tender words aud
gentle deeds. lie seemed To he thinking
OF the past as he looked into her eyes and
began TO talk.
INSPIRATION FOR HIS LAST SONG
Your name is Rosa lt Is sweet
name. Yau arc my friend, you--you are
nay Rosa! Then a sudden light came
into the old mans eyes and he sprang
from the couch MY Rosa he ex-
claimed. MY Rosary. I will write a song
aud IL snail he called that for YOU" Tho
gray-haired musician faltered a minute |
and then added I'm .. pathetic voice, "and |
fear n Will be my last"
It was then that one OF tho sweetes,
songs over written was born. lie was
with the Inspiration. and al I
most too sick 20 stand alone. went tn his |
studio. There, all night long. hy the l;ght !
OF an oil lamp, he toilvd at the piano, put |
ting his emotions into music. This is the |
song:
Are a string OF pearls TO me;
L count them DER, each one apart
NY Rosary, my Rosary.
Each hour a pearl. each pearl n PRAYER,
To still heart I'm absence wruns;
tell each bead unto the end.
And there "A cross Is huns--a cross is /
hung.
G; memories that h bless ,,,, and burnt
7 kiss each bead and strive st last 70 \
learn
To -kias-ihe ercss, sweetheart, to kiss
the cross
~ Daylight IL was finished He made a
copy and carried 81 20 her 20 try. lie /
never played an accompaniment as he did i
that morning and she sang tho song a
n has never been sung since. week 4
later she sang Il in 4 concert and Il |
caught the public ear like a vhIieind, 4
,ntil to'ay Il Is being sung from ocean
to oces .
81. las m4sl.IAa asysr Tssgssgea lem