The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-08-13

| Hon. Mrs. Brewster, OF Brewster Court, who
sings most magnificent, and does it real JUS
tice.'' Ooh the vanity Of poetsD
"perhaps, however, Louis, you may be
mistaken, and it may not be your song, af-
ter all," we remarked soothingly; "you will
hear better tomorrow when we are by our
selves, and quiet" -,
Tomorrow came. ct is my song" said
Louis decidedly. Tomorrow and to-mor-
row and to-morrow-Louis was out all NOR
ming, amusing himself and paying visits,
only returning to late dinner, when in the
evening the invariable 5000" greeted
him from the next house. He listened with
flushed cheeks and continually growing i'm
patience, poising his finger and muttering, as
if to himself * 1t is very odd cannot ac-
count for it-how could this person come by
my song?"
There's no mistakipg it, for there's Pc
culiar turn | alone am competent to teach ;
and, upon my honor, this Madam fordham
sings it verv well, whoever she is, except
when she comes to the 10000 and then
there is a mistake, which Icould soon rect-
fy. | declare, if this neighbor OF yours,
this Mrs. Fordham, goes on like this, shall
be impeled to rush in next door, and offer
to give her a lesson in my own production.
| must know better that any one else how it
ought to be sung"
We were greatly amused by this threat,
little thinking our young relative would real
" carry it into effect; but whether it was
that Louis Davidson's nerves were disorgan-
lied as ours had been, or that he was mystic
riously impelled to the bold act, certain it is
he became SO worked upon as to be unable
| NJ n
hear his song warbled with mistake in the
most critical part. So, one evening, when
our tea table was cleared, and Angelina was
&C O. Ding" as usual, Louis suddenly signi-
fed his intention ringing at the next door,
and informing the musician that the song
she was so indussriously practicing was his
composition politely requesting, at the
same time, to be allowed to set her right in
one or two small particulars of erroneous
execution relating to its burden. He was
not to be dissuaded; and afterwards he con.
fded to US that he never could account for
the obstinate determination that led him to
disregard the conv ventional forms of society
bv introducing himself in so rash and imper-
tInent a manner to stranger lady. How
ever, lashcd into frenzy, in he rushed IN ne.t
door, We heard the piano suddenly cease,
and the sweet voice become mute ; then, al
ter while, we could distinguish a sort OF
music-les given, Louis himself playing,
and our neighbours voice accompanying the
piauo. 1t was the much dreaded 500"
which now, for pathos and sweetness, des'
erved to become popular melody. Then
music and singing were succeeded by voIces
in cheerful conversation, lnterspcrsed at
times with Il merry, ringing haugh. which
was not the guiiaw of Louis Davidson, bu,
issued, we were sure, from the same par OF
lungs as those which produced the:laiy warb'
lings of SO -O-O.'
Hours gldcd on, and it was very late whcr
Louis returned from his impertinent visit
he was in state of great excitement, rush.
ing up to US at the fire. side. and exelaImlng
Isn't it strange, isn't it wonderful; who
do YOU think is your ncxt-door neIsboor? r.
We declared it was impossible to conlec.
ture, as of course it was; whereupon Louls
becoming more and more energetic, hi:
countenance bearuins with delight, and his
blue eyes sparkling with laughter he haC
cnioyed the den0uement immensely ex.
claimed:
"Whv. it's Fanny Mamford herself, and
she's Just as kind and as nice creature as
ever she was.''
"And who in the world is Fanny Nam
ford 20 we incurred with amazement.-
"We never heard Of such a person before
"Ncver heard of Fanny Mamford?" criec
Louis in surprise. "Why, she was a com.
panion of my poor dear mothers when We
lived at the l;rnnge'- his voice became
subdued, for he never liked alIudlng to the
past-''and she stayed with my mother lon
ger than any of her other companions; bu'
my mother at last complained that Fanny
did not attend to punctuation IN reading
aloud; 50 Miss Mamford was dismissed
But she used to copy all ny music for me
for although in those days Fanny could mol
plav or sing, she was rare hand at copy
ing
Here Louis paused, and We then asket
how it was that Miss Mamfcrl had assumed
the style of ''Mrs. Fordham,' and was liv-
ing alone in villa.
"Oh, forgot" he replied. looking rath'
er sheepish, " that you don't know all about
her" he didn't when he rushed in next door
"Aftcr Fanny left my mother, she married
a rich old ,ilstiller, and became widow II
less than a wear. She's got n good fortune
now. and amuses herself by learning to sing
and play, in order as she says, to keep NJ
her spirits: and she's such a taste and love
for it, that she'll be fine musician soon.
"But, Louis" we urged, " if Mrs. Ford.
ham has fine fortune, why does she live IL
II small suburban house, with only one do
mestic?
.She's n good creature" quoth Louis, ant
with emotion, '' as she always was, and as
told my mother. Don't you remember, she
was the only child of John Mamford, who
brought so many people to ruin by his 'grea'
bankruptcy as it was calledf Well, Miss
Mamford- i beg her pardon, Mrs. Fordhau
is paying off some Of her fathers mos
distressing liabilities; and she won't be free
of them for the next two or three years, sc
she lives in great economy, and diverts her
mind as she best can"
"But about the song, Louis; the 90
OF What induces her to give up all hel
time to attain perfection in thdt?' We asked
maliciously.
With some aspcritv, Louis replied ="
told YOU she learned music for recreation.'
I" And 900, I'm alone in the worlc
without you,' for dSsoCiaion, remarked
We; on which his good humor returned
though he blushed quite boylshiy, and said
"She copied it for me long ago and ad'
miring the song, wished to learn it, Also
having much spare time, the idea struck hel
of purchasing a good piano and setting tt
work"
"Well, my dear Louis,'' returned we
'syou have now an opportunity of improving
the lady by teaching her yourself how thu
song ought to be sung. We have Away:
remarked that she regularly breaks down a
the 'O-O-O.' We hear her too we'll.
"She doesn't know that" replied Louis
quite snappishy, "or she never would have
annoyed YOU, or any one else, for Fanny IL
the best creature in the world. She never
hears You move or speak, so can form nt
idea that such mere lath-and plaster parti
ton divides you. But 60 aod see her, nnt
tell her yourself how she disturbs you fol
though she wishes to live very quietly, In
sureshe'l be glad to see you."
And we did call on Mrs. Fordham, nnt
found her, as Louis Davidson insnuated
the I" best creature in the world" 1t was
astonishing how the 5000" progressed
under the toition of the composer, for he be
came most regular in giving his MUSCLES
sons next door, though we generally observ