Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-11-13
THE MAGIC OF MUSIC
Power Of the Melody of the Voice
Over Man and Beast.
SINGERS WHO SAVED LIVES.
The Way lablache, the 6asso, Con-
quered 6ear-and 6ursIar-Grisrs
Control Of Madman With q. Razor.
A Musical Wife's Presence Of Mind.

That music really has charms TO
soothc the savage beast is proved by
the many times that the power OF song
has been the means OF saving life. on
one OCCASION when Luigi I.ablache. the
great opera baSSo. was aimleSsIy stroll
ing through Il French fair he was sur
priSed by sudden stampede Of the
sightseers, who rushed by him in a
great panic. crying that one of the
great bears had escaped from the me-
nagerie. So surprised that he scarcely
realized his danger, the singer stood
his ground and almost Immediately
found himself face to face with the
maddened beast, which halted for a
moment before making its final rush.
In that moment Lablache began to
sing one Of his favorite airs in a voice
so deep and terrifying that the bear
skunk away. thoroughly cowed.
1t was this same singer who. when
confined TO his bed by a broken leg.
was surprised by his landlady. who
burst into lis room, crying that n rob-
Der was I'm the house and was about to
Kill her husband unless he revealed the
hiding place Of their money and Late.
Lablache. unable because of his injury
to give other assistance began to sing
an aria in such thunderous tones as
to terrify the robber. who fed.
Nine. Giulia -Grisi was once travel
ing from the south of France to Paris
in company with several companions
OF her own sex. when their privacy
was intruded upon by n man who en-
tered their apartmentat wayside sta
ton. Before long he began TO act so
oddly as TO make the women appre-
hensive and az last terrified them by
drawing razor, which he began TO
flourish. at the same time demanding
that he be permitted TO sever their
heads. The women realized that they
had madman in the carriage with
them aud also that they were without
protection until the next stop Of the
train. lD consequence they became
hysterical-all save Grisi who with
great coolncss suddenly began to sing
in a soft voice that gradually assumed
volume IS she gained the attention OF
the man. whose threatening attitude
gave way to rapt attention as the song
advanced. Song after song did Grisi
sing. and not another movement did
/ the man make until the next station
was reached. when the alarm was Civ
en- and he was taken into custody. II
/ transpired afterward that he had es
| capped from a lunatic asylum.
/ Jennie Lind once saved not only hel
/ own, but hundreds OF other lives by
/ her gift OF song. 4 fire broke out back
OF the stage in small theater in heI
native land where she was singing
/ The audience became alarmed. and
/ there might have been n panic had no
Jennie Lind stepped coolly out upor
the stage and begun singing n favorit,
folk song. Reassured and entranced
the audience reseated themselves. ant
the fire was soon extingulshed.
Another we'll known opera star Will,
4 travelling with some friends in Mexico
was surprised 10y n company OF hall
breed bandits. ut whose approach tn,
escort fed. leaving their charges to tn,
mercy of the robbers. The attitude o.
the latter on finding that their captive,
had little money and valuables wa.
menacing in the extreme. and the trav
elers all expected 10 be murdered tina
night. When the robbers were eatin;
their supper the star began to sing
and his captors were so delighted tina
they demanded more. For n time n,
Sratiiied them, but at last suggeste,
that he should sing for the freedom O
himself and his friends. To this tn,
bandits. cheered by wine and song
agreed, and after having sung for III
hour he and his companion were free.
KaeiSsel. the notorious Bavariar
brigand. once planned 10 rob hous,
In the neighborhood OF Munich and. Il
necessary TO secure the money and
plate he knew was in the house. muir
der the inmates, a young married wo
man and her two female servants. His
approach was heard by the wife. who
instead of losing her head, sat dowr
TO her piano and began to sing. The
/ brigand listened for awhile and was
on the point OF forcing an entrance
into the room when the song ceased
and mans voice struck up rollick
Ing air, 10 be followed in a few mo
ments 10y third mans voice singins
familiar chorus. KneIssel paused
The husband evidently had returned
unexpectedly and had brought witt
him friend. He was not prepared I,
attack the house against two men, 81
he beat hasty retreat, little thinking
that the voice he had heard proceeded
from the lips Of the young wife, fine
singer. who was an adept az mimicry.
Some years ago released convict
went TO the house Of the Indiana judg,
who had sentenced him to prison Will
the Intention Of shooting him. A:
he crept nearer TO the window beside
which the judge was sitting and raised
MS revolver TO fire the sweet voice OF
phe judges wife fioated out on the
summer air from the bedroom, where
she was singing her baby to sleep. al
unconscious OF her husbands peril
The lullaby she sang was one that the
convtets mother used TO Groom TO him
and, throwing aside his revolver, he
walked boldly into the house and con
feSsed TO the judge his intention. The
/ judge befriended him. and he is TO-DAY
one OF the most influential and respect
ed citizens of town in the far west
-Addie Farrar in Chicago Record Her