PATTI'S GODCHILD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1514, 23 March 1887, Page 3

PATTI'S GODCHILD

When Adelina Pati was m the heyday of her tiiurnph at St Potersbnrg, she lived at the Hotel Demulh, then a very stylish place, Next door to her lived the Bairds, threat iron-founderp, of Scotch English f jmily The Bairda and Adelina were very intimate, and this intimao? c ntinued a'ter the diva's marriage to the Marqu sde Caux. The youngest child m the Baird household was named after Patti, and' wis a particular ptt of hera. Every day the ba'oy Adolina was sent In to ceo Patti, and often about bix o'clock, whioh was tho baby's bedtlrap, Patti would slip into her neighbor's house, and runnlrg iuto tha nuraery, givo the little Adelina her go^d ni^ht klaa. The b»by girl, being as'ute after the manner of her aex, found out that PaUI could sing charming lullabies, bo whenever Bhe appeared the little Adelina would demand a aong. It was nothing uncommon to Bee Patti m a splendid dinner dreis holding her little namesake m her arms and singing her to s\eep. Years went on and Patti left St Petersburg and her husband behind her. She had formerly had great social success i>< London, but when she returned thare fn 1878 she found a painful difference. The Balrda had a London establishment, and one of the first drives Patti took after coming to London was to the Baird'a house. She did not send m her card, but sent word for the little girl to come out to her, Adeliria came flying, delighted to ace her old favorite and godmother, and the two had a long and affectionate interview. Although the Bairda did not resume their former intimacy with Patti, they put no obstacle m the way of the two Adelinas seeing each ether, and they are still the moat intimate ot friends. The little Adelina is now a young lady, lately launched Into society, and Patti is as proud of her aa ever. Every birthday <he diva remember* her goddaughter, and the beauty and oostlineßS of her gifts are extreme.