Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1859-11-10
Whole No. 1897.

t" her he spoke, as with Berthalde LIE entered
| he Choir
This is my little friend, Margaret, Of
whom | told you. give her into your charge
to teach her the way there she will not be
long in learning it, and you will take good care
Of her, l know, until she does"
And while he spoke, Berthalde felt her
hand taken in another soft, warm hand, and
lew gentle words were whispered into her ear.
And then the two girls stood together, hand
in hand and when, without another word,
the Master took his seat before the ergan,
long not low strain pealed through the church.
"Come here, Berthalde."
She came, guided by Margaret, and stood
beside him.
Listen to what Margaret sings"
In her clear, sweet voice Margaret sang a
| simple exercise.
Now, my child"
| Berthaldc's first notes were low, feeble and
| broken for every nerve within her trembled.
JOIN with her, Margaret !" And, shield.
ed by Margaret's firm strong tones, Berthal-
de>s voice gained strength her fear began to
pass away; strange, deep joy filled her
heart and her voice arose more clear, more
full, more rich, with every phrase mingling
with the deep, grand tones Of the swelling or
gan and, with it, awakening the echoes of
the dark old church.
The music died away under the Kapell.
meistcr's hand, and he turned TO her.
My child, you did well to speak to me-"
was all he said
Margaret bending down, whispered, "Have
co ge," dear, and for moment her lips rest
ed on Berthalde's brow.
Listen, Berthalde do you know this 7"
and the Master played again.
1t was the Agnus Del. She sang it alone
beginning with much fear, and in an unsteady
voice yet as she grew absorbed, again for.
getting everything in the intense delight Of
singing, Of hearing her own voice mineling
with tue deep music Of the organ, as hundreds
OF times with vague longing she had listened
before to other voices ; and imperfect as her
self-taught singing was-the earnest feryor
with which size sang aud the purity and
sweetness Of her voice made it really beauti.
full.
When she had done, and there was utter ST.
lence, her life seemed to hang upon the next
words tire Kapel meister would speak. 1t SEEM
cd an age before he closed the manual of the
Instrument and rose from his seat preparatory
to departing. But presently, laying his Land
upon her shoulder, he said,
" Bcrthalde, accept you as my pupil. You
were born to be singer"
Master p she cried and choking with
joy, fell down at his feet
When she returned home that day it was
late, and the short winters day had closed,
aid she had been some time expected
"Why, BERTHE, where have you been so
long p the mother asked as she came in, and
the father rose in silence to meet her and a
faint smile spread over his face as his eyes
rested on the little figure that was so dear to
him. Karl Reimer was much changed of late
broken Gown in health and spirits-growing
every day more hopeless for the future. And
not without cause, for his work daily became
more painful to him.
"Iye only been in church," mother" Ber-
thalde answered but there was something in
her voice that attracted the attention of both.
Karl took her on his knees.
What have you been doing at the church,
my darling ?"
| She hesitated for a moment
ooh, father, I'm SO happy The Master
says that in few months shall be singer
in the choir, and that shall earn money then
to help you and, oh, father, shall never be
IL bulden to you any MORE"
My child |" was all Karl could say, pas
sionately clasping her to his breast. Two
large tears silently fell upon his check as he
bent his head down over her.
| ITO he concluded nert week)
Gg A Western editor, exulting that the Mobile