The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-12-04

was using her prestige and influence
in her behalf. Clara Louise Kellogg
let slip no chance to advance the in
terests of little Emma. Shortly after
their arrival in the metropolis the prima
donna was invited to spend an evening
at the house of August Belmont.
You come, too. Emma" she said.
You've received no invitation only
because they don't know you. They
will be glad to, | am very sure. 1t will
be all right. You must come"
They did not go to the Belmont
house together. Emma's sponsor ar
rived first, to pave the way, in a meas
ure, for her young friend. 1t was after
nine when the latter reached the house.
Most of the distinguished company
had assembled. The night was wet and
windy, but Emma had walked. When
the stately butler had opened the door
for her, the bottom of her skirt was
splashed with mud and water; her
umbrella was dripping; the feathers
in her hat were dropping. Many curious
eyes were turned in her direction from
the crowded parlors. She presented
a striking contrast to the other women.
beautifully attired in evening gowns.
Some of them laughed. Clara Kellogg
hurried to her, and Emma, when she
saw her friend. cried out in sheer relief:
Here ami I'm so glad to see you.
I've had an awful time wading through
the %puddles."
Her voice was pitched much above
the ever tones of that assemblage.
There was a subdued litter; every
body smiled; but they were not all
derisive smiles. There were some who
saw that here was an impulsive little
Western girl with a naturalness and
spontaneitv that had not been shriveled
up by conventional society. Emma
was conscious of how different she was
in dress and from the others:
put the discerning ones, who liked her
at first sight, spoke kindly to her. They
relieved her of embarrassment, just
as she rescued them from boredom.
When she sang for them, their liking
grew to admiration.
Horace Greeley was one of her most
attentive listeners, and his solemn face
lighted up with interest when she
talked to him. She made of the great
editor a lifelong friend that night.
1t was he who o o aftcrward did much
to help her obtain a position as soprano
in DR.. Chapin's church; and it was he
who was chiefly instrumental in raising
a sum of money to send her abroad for
the training of her voice. | learned ali
this through Clara Louise Kellogg
She certainly had no reason to regret
making Emma Abbott her prottgGe, o
introducing her into society, even il
those first moments at the Belmonts'
were somewhat trying.
But there were black days vet in store
for Emma. With such exhausting zeal
and application did she work in Europe
that she woke up one morning to find
that her voice was gone. She thought
at first that it was c7ly a temporary
disability. but weeks. months. dragged
on, and still she could not sing. She
consulted specialists, who gave her little
help. but took her money. At last her
funds became exhausted.
Il knew that a single letter to New
York would nave filled my pocket
book again Emma told me: but
somehow the very willingness of nv
friends to aid me. the very ease with
which | could have procured money
from them, caused my mind to recoil/
from the thought of asking. The truth
| was beginning to cease to care
whether | had money or not. or to care
what became Of me My hopes were
in ashes. | grew afraid to look toward
future, because | could see there
nothing except a blank curtain of despair.
With my voice gone, | felt like a useless
lncumbercr OF the earth. and again, as