A STORY OF MADAME MELBA.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9097, 15 February 1898, Page 4

A STORY OF MADAME MELBA.

" THAT BOOFUL BIRD." A wßitEf. iu tha ' Ladies Realm* whose topic is •' Prima Doflnag of today," mentions a Madame Melba ptory wliish has uot yet gone the rounds of the papers :— ln a private sitting-room in an botel, she was I practising the trill with whioh she ends her famous " Lucia" cadenza, when she was interrupted by a lady who craved three minutes conversation. «• My little boy, aged six," she began, "is lying dangerously ili in the next room, and has just been awakened by your practice. He listened attentively to you," she continued, " and after a few moments begged me to go and fetch that | booful bird' for him, and let it sing in his room." The prima donna was so touched by the simple little tale that she accompanied the delighted mother to the sick room, and concealing herself behind a curtain, trilled and trilled again. The little fellow eventually asked to see the bird j and the expression of utter astonishment on the child's face when Madame Melba stepped out can be better imagine! than described. Often and often did tbat "booful bird" trill in the little invalid's room, and immediately the restless head became quiet, the closed eyes were opened, and the wan face was flushed with pleasure. It was an experi nee never to be forgotten by Madame Melba, and to-day she often wonders what became of the little fe'low who unconsciously paid her one of the prettiest compliments she had ever received;