Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-10

But Carlo laughed lightly, and put
the suggestion aside.
Why, maestro" he exclaimed. y
have never been i'll in my life; and
surely, if my sister has been able to
bear the work all this time, you need
not fear for a tough fellow like me-"
Well, | hope you will understand
as well as Madame Merlino how to
take care Of yourself" said Piale, in
the tone OF a doubter.
As he walked home Carlo for the
first time studied the placards which
announced a second series of operas
at the Mercadante with the company
Of Signor Merlino. On Tuesdd, even
ing Gounod's Faust and, below,
list of the characters; Faust, Signor
Sardoni; Mefistofele, Signor Merlino;
Valentino, Signor Carlo Donati; Wag-
ner. Signor Gomez; Margherita, Mad
anne Merlino; Siebel. Mademoiselle
Borelli; Marta, Nademoiselle DuToc,
Just above was pasted a narrow strip
of yellow paper. contrasting boldly
with the pink placard, and upon this
in large black letters. was printed
"Debutto ri Signor Carlo Donati."
He was startled and rather ashamed
to find that the mere reading of the
announcement made him tremble from
head to foot. AT the next opportunity
he questioned Sardoni.
How do people feel at their first
appearance? he said, with an air of
curiosity. which was nevertheless a
little anxious.
oh" said Sardoni, with his care
less laugh, some feel as if they were
going to be hung, Others az If they
were entering one of the chambers of
the Inquisition. Generic, l believe,
used to say that he suffered more
acutely when he went to- be married,
and Bauer declares that it was not
half so bad to him as a visit to the
dentist.
and you?' asked Carlo How
did you feel about it?"
1 udAut4 hllON ~AtGDlAACH- SAAOiilQ bV
no guide to you, for Ne are as differ
ent as chalk and cheese. think
was in too daredevil frame to feel
at ALL
4 can understand better today how
Valentino felt before his first battle"
said Carlo, musingly.
Sardoni laughed,
Il do believe you think of your
parts night and day" he exclaimed.
Il declare I'm half afraid of you.
You will be so much in earnest that
you'll kill me in the duel scene, and
that would be awkward. What do you
say to private rehearsal now? It's
as well you have to fight me and not
Gomez, for he hates you like poison;
and what could be easier than TO
stick you by mistake on the stage.
and get you out of his friends way?"
What with you and Piale it will be
hard il | don't turn into coward and
valetudinarian, said Carlo. THE
maestro does nothing but fear the
breakdown of my health. and you are
always warning me of hidden dangers
from Generic and his allies"
I'VE only wish TO instill little
prudence into your knight errantry,"
said Sardoni
The change of baritones had been
much discussed in MerlinoS company.
and Carlo had to run the gauntlet of
criticism, while bewildered at the end
less introductions TO his new eompan-
ions; he thought he should neve:
learn to know them all. and the fact
that he was Madame Merlinos brother
was not In his favor for AritG was
not popular. and Carlo was sufficiently
Ike her in face to make them preju-
diced against him. Moreover, they
all regarded him as n sort of anna
teur. and were inclined 10 resent his
sudden change of profession, while
Comerio's unexpected dismissal was
by some deemed unjust,
To be continued.