er practice under her
father's guidance. The violin was taken out again and the wretched
alley-ways about Howard street reechoed with the strains of the
marvelous instrument. By the hour the music floated out the dismal
chamber window where the wonder-child toiled over the seemingly hopeless
task. The thin, pale face bent over the music book all the day long.
Practice, practice, practice. Life seemed made for that.

What was the good of it all? It had only brought them poverty and
sorrow. Not for a moment did she pause. The art was reward enough
without the money. She would wait.

It happened just at this time that Paul Julian, not in the most happy
financial circumstances came to New York and for a week lived in the
same humble boarding house with the Ursos. Camilla's room was up stairs
and Paul's just under it. Both practiced incessantly, and Camilla's
father while attending to her lessons would often say:--

"Hear that boy! He loves to practice."

Paul's father in the room below would bid the boy stop and listen to the
girl artist overhead and say:--

"Hear that girl! See how she loves to practice."

When the lesson hour was over the two children met on the stairs or on
the sidewalk for their brief play hour and would exchange notes
concerning their two fathers.

"Was your father cross to-day?"

"Yes. Cross as a bear!"

"So was mine."

Camilla did not remain in obscurity and poverty long. Archbishop Hughes
heard of her and arranged a charity concert in which she was invited to
appear. The concert was for the benefit of the Catholic Orphan Asylum
and as Camilla had contributed largely to its success a share of the
proceeds were given to her father. This fortunately saved them from
immediate want and in a few days after a still greater piece of luck
came to them. A letter came from Philadelphia inviting Camilla to play
at a concert given by the Philharmonic society of that city. She at once
went to Philadelphia in company with her father and aunt and there
received one hundred and fifty dollars for a single performance on her
violin. This was the largest sum she had ever received at one time and
it seemed as if their day of small things was nearly over.

While they were in Philadelphia an agent of the Germania Musical Society
of Boston visited them and invited Camilla to join the Society in a
series of concerts that they proposed to give in the New England cities.
A handsome salary was offered and they al