OCR Text |
Show VERDI AND HIS THRIFTY WAYS. Great Composer Worried Over Small Hole in Hit "Beat Coat." Baron Edmondo Mayor des Planches, ambassador from Italy, told a new Verdi story at a dinner given in Washington Wash-ington recently. The great Maestro had Just produced his opera "Alda" In Paris for the first time and the entire city was wild with enlhualaam. The president of France made It known that at the second performance the rosette of the Legion of Honor would be conferred on the 'Illustrious composer, com-poser, a great fete was gotten up to honor the event. The president made the presentation, and Verdi seemed overcome with emotion. Indoed, ho fumbled with tho rosette so long that one of the attendants of the president arose and, taking his penknife, made a neat slit in the coat and placed the button firmly in place. After the opera a grand banquet was given and everyone every-one was concerned to see that the Maestro looked unhappy. He would lapse Into fits of musing even during the most enthusiastic speeches, and would sigh and look doleful indeed. Finally an old friend got near him and asked solicitously what was troubling him. Verdi mused a long time and then explained sadly: 'I do not see that you can do anything to help me and. Indeed, I cannot see how I can help myself. I am Just wondering what my wife will say to me when she sees this great hole in my best coat" |