Year: 1879

resources when in her teens, and having to
support an aged mother, but with the ad-
vantage OF having enjoyed good musical
education, che took up her residence in a
little town not hundred miles away from
one Of the great Eastern cities. She COM
menced BY giving music lessons, and schol-
ars came to her in goodly numbers. Every
Sunday her beautiful soprano voice might
have been heard in the choir OF the most
fashionable church of the neighboring city.
For this service she received a salary of a
few hundred dollars year, from her pupils
she received perhaps like mount, ard at
least free from all pecuniary troubler, sur
rounded by kind friends and ENJOYING the
best social facilities, she led a life that
must be considered happy. Three years
she lived q charming life, and at last she
fell in love with handsome young man,
q knight by nature and by deed. He
wooed and won her consent 10 marriage,
but she had one burning desire-thst was
to 60 to Europe to complete her musical
education, TO resp fame and glory and
then return. The young man was taken
with the idea. He had money, and offered
TO furnish her with the necessary funds
Some money she had, indeed, bat not
enough, and finally she consented to mar
~ in order tina; she might hsve no scruples
about accepting the offer Of her husband.


The maiden wife sailed for Europe, aud
studied in Milan for some years. She was
we'll provided with introductions, ard she
was received with more favor than is gen
orally accorded by Milanese families to
1,l "a, l. Y
capital. The most ilattering reports were
heard of her voice BY her friends at home
in fact she had accomplished all that she
needed, except the debut in large Italian
opera house. This was all that was want
ing to satisfy the young maiden wiie's am
bition, and finally the opportunity for the
debut was obtained, and the result was
grand artistic success. The italian papers
were full OF the praises of the American
prima donna, Of her personsl beauty and
the magic Of her voice. But at what a
price were the opportunity and the success
and the tiaiteriDg notices gained? 1t is not
too much to say that in almost any other
profession than the operate this gifted
young girl would have found that her tai
ents would have found market at fair
price. Not 80, however, in Italy. She was
unable to get hearing except through sin
fluence," and that she consented to this In-
fuence being employed in her behalf was
the result not OF intentional wrong do
ing, but of necessity-that is, If she wished
to get the recognition that was due her.
Need l tell the rest of the story OF beau
tiful life that was losi?


Then followed a brilliant and brief ca
reer in the opera houses OF Italy. En-
gagements followed engagements, and the
fair girl wandered from capital to capital
enchanting her audiences everywhere, not
withstanding the heavy weight Of woe she
bore. Then there was a sudden trip to a
Continental capital, dangerous illness
and corpse that was embslmed and sent
over the sea. Yet there is a curious legend
still prevalent in Milsn-that the young
artist still lives and is singing and under
an assumed name, and that the embalmed
corpse was sent over the ses 20 that hus-
band and friends might believe that she
was in truth no more among the living
And if you ask il she sinned, should say
she was sinned against more than she her
self sinned, for she fell because it was the
most natural thing 10 do in Italy; she fell
because by falling she gain the royal road
to success in an Italian Opera House. And
how many other C ases equally sad could be
recorded here we're it not that this recordal
might wound the hearts OF go many? One
day was wandering along the shores oi
Lake Maggiore, / came to a little village
and saw charming little boy. His father
was said to be an Italian Prince, his moth.
er an American singer. Sometimes, the
peasants say, a beautiful young lady comes
to the village and spends few weeks, and
then goes away again as quietly as she
came.


There are three well known cases of the
deaths of American girls in Milan, of
which shall not speak in detail, however.
Their memories are still respected, for they
were as good as they we're beautiful in the
fret years OF their sojourn here. They
were one and all victims of the disgraceful
state of things existing in and around the
Opera houses OF Italy. Americans and
English must follow in the wake of their
Italian sisters if they want to achieve suc-
cess and fame, 30 seldom to be gained
without the assistance Of all pervading pro-
tec.ion. The death of a young opera attic
star that shone in the armament of Milan
q short time since was recorded in one of
the city rapers,not long ago. The story read
thus: "Some time ago the Baroness Fan
nv Martin, OF Brussels, came to this city,
where che took sumptuous apartment
and carried on splendid establishment
If the King went abroad with four horses,
she had six; if any nobleman did anything
extra she at once outvied it. She was high
ly educated, very beautiful and had
very fascinating manners and a
beautiful voice. She was well received by
the nobility of this and other cities. But
this gay life terminated she became vic
tim Of jealousy and suddenly disappeared
from this city, where she had resided very
long and where she was called the Queen
Of Fashion. She went to Turin, where she
continued the gay life she had heretofore
led at Milan. Then this bright star dis-
appeared as it were, in a moment. To-day
We record that the Baroness Martin WAS
found dead in a garnet IN the suburbs OF
Nice, after suffering from hunger and cold,
on bundle of rotten straw and with mere
ragsto cover her. On her person was found
a receipt for 20 ,000f. for rent, and money
letter was found at the post office directed
to her. She was foriy-one years OF age and
still retained marks of her former beauty.


This is the story of L. lgian lady but
| could put it in an English name, and
the facts connected with brilliant life,
ended in sGualor, would be recognized
But | have said enough to call attention to
the great dangers into which American
girls, desirous Of studying earnestly al
gaining an honest livelihood and fame, are
thrown-enough to show parents that Mi
Ian il not the r,lace whittier to send yourp