Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-15
Nine. MOdJeSka'S
Talented Grandson

Blood will tell" so runs the old adj
age.
early influences mean much" This
is the dictum of modern child SCI
ence.
e. D. Waters, an artist photographer
of Hyde Park, Chicago, has had recent
reason to believe both statements true.
Always on the lookout for pictur-
esque subjects Mr.. Waters, who es-
pecially delights in artistic studies of
children, not long since invited to visit
the Photographic studio maintained in
his residence an attractive small boy
whom he had noticed playing about the
neighborhood. No technical posing
of the handsome little fellow proved
necessary for the artistic pictures de-
sired and presently attained by his
delighted admrer; every movement
and attitude assumed and made by the
dimnutive sitter also offered prompt
evidence of rarely philosophic turn
of mind and conversation, as well as
quaint charm of manner. AS Charlie
Modjeskf' he gave his name.
When little later Mr.. Waters dis
covered the small sitter to be Master
Karolek Modjeski, grandson of the
great Polish actress, Helena Modjeska.
and godson of Nine. Calve and Jean de
Reszke, he could better understand the
little lads evident though unconscious
gift of dramatic intelligence and rep
resentation. Karolek-Charlie only TO
his schoolmates, never to members or
intimate friends of the family-un-
doubtedly possesses potential genius
scarcely astonishing in view of his
lineage and early associations, but not
usually observed in a laughing, eager,
normal boy of 8 years old.
Well Wished by Famous Singers
Calve, his godmother, was missing
from the social gathering in the Mod
jeska drawing room toward the close
of the festivities attendant upon the
christening of the infant Karolek. The
baby's mother, Mrs. Ralph Modjeskt.
slipped away after the distinguished
guest and godmother, away to the up
per room where the baby lay sleeping.
Here Calve was discovered bending
tenderly above the unconscious dream
er, softly singing to him quaint fairy
| folk song of her own far country-a
sort of fairy benediction, invoking for
it's subject the gift Of poesy, sem
sibility and music, and the good
fortune to be always happy and
well. So charming was the pic
| ture thus presented to the surprised
mother that she hurried back to sum-
mon Jean de Reszke, the childs god
father to share it's beauties with her.
II must sing him something Also"
cried the great tenor, catching the spir-
it of Calves Impulse on the instant.
What have you been wishing the in
fant, Calve? 1 will wish for him that
he shall be a true man and patriot,
through and through"
| In laughter and merriment was the
pretty scene speedily forgotten--for the
time being. But again and again has
1t since recurred to the memory of
those who witnessed 1T, and who are
acquainted with the quaint and un-
usual ways and gifts of the small
grandson of Nine. Modjeska.
Il should not at all wonder" smiled
Jean de Reszke, during his last visit
to Chicago, IF Nine. Calves fairy song
came true"
Played Duet With Paderewski
"If do not run a railway engine by
and by l will become an electrician" is
the present determination of the boy,
who, at years old, played piano duet
with Paderewski, and who composed
music-good music of it's kind-at an
| even earlier period. Just now, how
ever, school life and duties with the
necessary play intervals. absorb near
ly all the attention of the small Karo-
lex, and the piano, at which he was
once wont to spend whole days when
| the mood seized him, is badly neg
lected. The unquenchabe dramatic
fervor expressed and satisfied by play
duels and scenes with his sister serves
as sole satisfaction for his artistic
tastes and inclinations.
For the present small Karolek Mod
jeski is natural, normal S-year-old
urchin during most of his waking mo-
ments, normally intent upon school
work and play diversions, his love for
all things military and Polish, together
with his passion for acting out" the
most interesting parts Of his favorite
Savonic stories and the power and
ability with which he represents each
admired character or parsonage in turn
alone setting him apart from other and
less favored children. Even the music
he naturally adores is usually forgotten
now for lessons and the more natural
recreations of boyhood.-chicago Trib-
] une