Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-08-17
How Hiram Won an
Opera Star
BY DOROTHY wHITCoMB

10 1871. western Newspaper lnion)
That big white house on the cliffs
,onder, mlster?" asked the old guide.
That's Hiram Smiths place. He's one
of the richest men round here and we
think deal of him. We called that
'Hirams Folly once, but folks don't
call ii that any more, for now It's
house, and then it was Il barn without
roof. and nobody thought Hiram
would get the money to finish ii. That
bit of IAN old wreck there was the
patagonia once, and she was IA fine
ship I'm the DAYS when she used TO ply
between Boston and Portland. IL was
when she went ashore that we stopped
speaking of 'Hrams Folly"
In his vivid speech he drew the
mans picture until l could visualize
hm-lilram Smith, the young fisher
man, batting his lobster pots or acting
as guide. during the brief summer
months, 10 the visitors at Rundle's
Bay. one summer there came party
OF opera singers from New York who
had taken the strange fancy to pay u
weeks visit 10 this little coastal viii
lage of Maine.
But even there the fame OF Marian
Kenpncr had spread. Ii was not her
genius that was admired. but the fact
that she, girl Of twenty-five, born in
Iowa of simple farmer stock, had been
80 endowed by nature that she earned
thousands of dollars I'm one evening by
the gift of her voice. When Hiram
Smith first saw her in his boat he
stared at her till he nearly lost his
oars. She was the most beautiful WON
an whom he had ever seen. And when
she sang the world seemed suddenly
thing of crystal and fire 10 him.
Marian Kempner was at first
amused and then interested in the Ge-
yotion of The young fisherman.
And on the last evening Hiram
Smith offered her his heart and
hand" Those were his words, she told
the laughing crowd ut the Ia tel. He
wanted her To share his cottage and
his lobster pots And when she had
shr,veled his self-esteem with few
kindly, yet cutting words, he said sim
ply:
II viii win you yet"
Hiram Smith never followed the sea
again. He disappeared for two years.
When he returned he deposited a
thousand dollars in the bank and
stone by stone, he erected "lliram's
Folly" 1t grew as his bank deposit
increased, but Smith became known as
master Of finance. in small way,
the greediest man in New England,
and the shrewdest at bargaining. He
built store that Ousted all others.
The years passed slowly. hiram was
a man Of thirty-five, and Marian about
his age, when the tragedy OF her life
happened, For ten years she had
been a star" Now her voice failed
her. She had never married At first
She lived in the hope of regaining her
vocal powers. Then. forced to earn
a living she went on the stage.
One day when she was at the end
Of her resources, II stranger introduced
himself 10 her. lie wished 10 start u
company OF his own. Would she he
the perpetual star" and let him bear
tie expense and take what profits
there were? She consented. Marian
Kempner had become the pensioner OF
an unknown man.
About this time "Hiram's Folly"
was completed. The empty house
stood on the hill. Hiram was often
10 be seen upon the cliffs, spy glass in
hand. People said that lie was wait
ing for some ship that never came in.
The Summer after his retirement
the order went out that Mariams com
pany was TO tour New England, espe-
cially the coast towns. 1t played from
Newport TO Bangor and back again.
I'he next year the same itinerary WAS
scheduled And that was when the
Panlagona found her end upon the
rocks OF Rundie's reef. II as wild
winters morning when Murian'S com
lany found their vessel stranded Off
shore. in danger OF breaking up. Iii
ram Smith was first TO volunteer in
the lifeboat crew. And the first per
son whom he encountered upon the
vessels decl; was Miriam. He drew
Ter 10 his side.
There's plenty OF time" he said
The ship don't look like breaking up
for while. You wouldn't he sorry If
the company broke up with her,
reckoni"
No" she said, looking at him
mo"
"Some folks lives break up like
ships" said Hiram, and that was the
widest flight he ever made into
metaphor
Eyes" she said. laughing and shlv-
ering in the wind you're right"
you don't remember Rundles
BayT' asked Hiram. You were never
here beforeT
yes" she answered with sudden
remembrance. "That was long ago,
though-fourteen years and more"
ITS been longer for me-" answered
Hiram Smith. You don't recall that
boat ride down by the reef and how
said I'd get you again? I've got all
I've wanted but you, Miriam. Now
I'm going to have you as well. That's