Smyrna times., 1902-01-01
STORIES OF SINGERS
TIMES WHEN THEIR VOICES WE'RE
OF MORE WORTH THAN MONEY.

Santley's Adventure with n Band of |
Mexican Bandits - Some Expert |
ences of the Tenor MariO-HOw La
blnche Put Bear to Flight.
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, CHANGED 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 JOStsh Mas had some
what similar experience. Years back.
when with n 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
dilemma, his friend suggested the pow
er of song Forthwith he commenced
an operate selection that 50 delighted
his captOrs that they loosened his
bonds and urged him. at the point of
their spears, to continue.
Luckily his voice had a soporifc 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 in a some
what invidious position. When travel
ing with some companions in Spain, he
fell into the hands of a party of ma
r?uding gypsies. 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-
tion elected him captain of their band
!, The singer automatically acquiesced ir
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 hC
was engaged, was arrested by the pO
/, lice in mistake for a political discon
tent. In vain he asserted his identity
He was carried before their chief, whC
likewise smiled incredulously at til,
captiVe'S aSSeVeratiOnS.
: Greatly angered, Mario vehement.
= demanded that his friends should b.
= forthwith communicated with. but th
official shook his head and remarke,
that if indeed he were the great tenO
he possessed in his voice a sure mean
: of proving the truth of his words. Te
y minutes later Mario was bowed on
4 with many regrets and profuse apolC
e gies.
! When travelling to Paris with som
u other ladies. Nine. Grisi had thrilln
u adventure. At a small wayside static
Il HILL CllGlCO lhC NtlI lAtSOs anu IL SUI
became evident from his threatenin
< gestures and eccentric behavior that b
- was dangerous lunatic.
Though her companions were PAM
stricken, Nine. Grisi retained complet
- presence of mind and with the utmO!
= composure began to sing. At once I'll
le maniac was quiet; his whole attentio
ie was riveted on that magnificent vOic
20 and he remained the most appreciatiN
of listeners until the train reached tt
ia next station, where he was secured.
ne transpired subsequently that he was
IL maniac with homicidal tendencies WI
had escaped from an asylum.
T" An amusing story is told of Lablach
e the celebrated bass singer. One da
py as he was strolling leisurely through
French fair a cry was suddenly raise
that a bear had escaped from the IN
nagerie. The crowd fed in every
ssh rection-all save the singer. whose ma
ld- sive proportions precluded the idea
on rapid motion. Amid the general COZ
an motion he among them all stood Il
ck- moved. calmly awaiting the advent
an the ferocious beast. which sure enOu!
Ose came slouching rapidly toward hi
of When within a few feet. it halted
though to gather itself together for
ck- final rush. when Lablache stepped f(
ect ward and from the lowest depths
to his immense chest sent forth such
I'M thunderous roar that the terrified a
in NAL turned and fed.
Dw. -----
A when VIII a Man Be Too Rich