Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-05-03

while Berthalde stood trembling by him
he gently bound up hcr injured hand,
talking 10 her gently all tho while he
dit it. s'
Il think sir she's a little faint--the
poor thing looks so palc,' the shopman
said. Let her come into my shop, and
rest herself before she goes home
No no no!' Bcrthalde broke in. y
would rather 60 into the church again
wanted to speak. wanted, If he
would be 80 kind, ! mcan-oh sir,
think can walkr she suddenly exc lain.
ed; but not needing her rcmonstrancc,
the Knpcll .mcistcr lifted her up in his
arms, for she was very little ond carried
her within the church again, and laid
her head down on bench.
'Oll sir, you are worry good she whis.
pcred her voice quite shaking now with
agitation. and nervously and half un.
consciously raising herself up from the
position in which he had placed her.
'And ifyou please sir-.ifyon wouldn't
20 away for minute or two--ir you
would just let me say something TO you
that I've wanted to say to you so much,
and not be oifended--not, mean--nol
think" and then her imperfect sen.
tence came abruptly to an end.
You have something 10 say to me?
the Kapcll.meistcr asked. "My child,
how do you know who an?'
She sail quickly, heard you speak
one day. You are the KopcIl Mester.
you are right. But what can you
have to say to mc!'
He paused moment but there was
no answer; and then looking at her in a
gentle plying tone he added:
my child, you are frightcni. Wait
then minute before you speak, Now,
what is it7 Tell me frankly. Is it any.
thing can do for your
ooh yes! she criel eagerly, though al
most below her breath. .You can do
more for me than anybody in the world.
Oh sir. hnvo boom waiting every day to
see you, that might be able to tell you
what | want and yet now am afraid to
say it,
MY poor girl. if it be in my power to
do what you want, will do it, the mas.
ter said. 'Tcll me now wha, it is." e.
+ With dropped eyes and hands pressed
, together, she said simply in very low
voice:
'lwant to learn to sing in the choir
, And she waited calmly hut pale even to
$ her lips to receive his answer.
The Kapell.meister shook his head.
, What put this into your mind
; Who told you that you could be sing
err
. No onc,' she answered family.
1 'You though. oft yoursclf?'
: q Thought Of it after heard you speak
, one day. never thoughtit until then
l but have come here to listen every day
t for somany years and the music has al
1 ways seemed so beautiful to me!'
v The Kapell.meister laid his had upor
t her head, and said in voice so gentle
that it made the tears spring into hel
eyes.
v MY child, | think you have forgotten
c one obstacle. you have forgotten tina
you are blind"
t 'No, no!' she exclaimed; Il have no
r forgotten it. know that | can OIL,
-. learn by remembering what hear;
G know that you cannot give lessons to MT
r as you would to others. do not ash
V you to trouble yourself with me so mucl
y | only want to come where you are tea
e ching the others, then, you would hea
| me sing, and tell me when | am wrong
and what to do And in anxious en-
quiry she again looked up into his face
Q You arc very yonns,' he began, af
. ter little pause.
r Il am thirteen, SIR she said quickly
+ 'but | am very little she added hum
a bly,.
/, 'Ycs-but, your name, tell it to M,
a again.
4 'BcrhalIe Reimcr.'
+. 'Bcrhalde, would it make you happy
& if gave you your wish?'
r The look that sprang into her face an
swcred him without words.
I 'Yes see it would. And is it you
0 love of music only that makes you wlsl
1 to be a snger?'
S There was moments hesitation; ant
the color mounted to her choek ant
;, she whispered No
r Tell me what other reason you have?
She wept as she sal 1--WE are so poo
d at home and there is nothing | can d'
o to help them. Oh sir, do not be angr,
r with me!' and half shrinking back sh
e hid her face in her hands.
). Angry my child!' was all the Maste
!, said but the tone thrilled to Berthalde'
S heart; and as he laid his hand upon he
head again, she felt such wild rush o
c gratitude towards him that she coul'
e have fallen down and kissed his feet.
n She told him all that was in her hear
r all her sorrows and hopes, pouring eve
= rything out to him amidst her tears, for
y getting all her former fears Of him in tn
It kind sympathy with which he listene'
It to her.
y And when it was spoken, and hal
), sobbing she stood beside him, he tool
j. her hand into his gently and said:
G wait for me here tomorrow. Yov
" are too much agilated now to let M
hear your voice; but tomorrow yo
II shall come into the choir. And this Il
:, least promise you now my child, yo
:. shall have free leave to join the singer