A Melba Story.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 1079, 23 March 1903, Page 3

A Melba Story.

* Anecdotes about Melba are always welcomed by the American press, and the following is one of the most recently published. It is probably more readable than exact: —

Field-Marshal Lord Wolseley, hero of campaigns, has met defeat in an engagement of wits. He has been vanquished t>y a woman. The winner in the little dinner-table tilt was Madame Melba, and the ecene of the occurrence was the house of a member of the British aristocracy.

Madame Melba, at this dinner, was seated at the right of Lord Wolseley, who was at the right of the hostess of the evening. Lord Wolseley, at the beginning of the dinner, asked of the hostess, "Who is the lady at my right?" " Why, that is Madame Melba." " Who is this Madame Melba ?"

"IsitpossiUe that your lordship ..does not Snow the great singer ?" ",' "Oh yes. Born in Australia, I believe." And with that the general applied himself to the course then served. After a few minutes he turned to the prima donna, greeted her pleasantly, and said, "You are an Australian, I believe, Madame ? I know a great deal about your "country. My brother lives in Melbourne." "And pray, sir, what is the name of your brother?", the singer naively inquired, ■♦' Goodness ! Why, his name is the same as mine—Wolseley," answered the surprised officer. " Who is Wolaeley ? I do not recall having heard that name," Madame Melba explained. " Why, I am General Wolseley," replied ilie astonished officer. " Wolseiey? Wolseley? Wolseiey?" whispered the singer, as is appearing to refresh her memory. And then the general applied himself again to the food. He had learned his lesson.