Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-02-18
hands and heart and house-room of the good
Gretchen were full.

health inherited from her peasant-born, har-
dy parents did not fail her even in the un-
wholesome atmosphere and restricted space
in which she was compelled to spend so
much of her life.
Her education was such as every poor
mans child may have in New York. She
attended the public schools and made aver
age attachments. Her playground was the
public streets. A casual observer would not
have selected her from crowd of her COM
panions as possessing any peculiar gifts Or
as having before her career Of any
brilliance.
One gift she had. Even in her childhood
her voice was sweet and clear and powerful,
and it was her delight to sing. She was far
more interested in the choral exercises OF
the school than in any other part Of the day IS
| duties or studies.
Her teachers noticed the beautiful voice
and the enthusiasm Of its possessor and
kindly encouraged her. She was allowed
the use Of the school piano before and after
the regular sessions, and with little in.
struction soon learned TO play accompani-
ments, and to sing by note.
The popular ballads she quickly began TO
disregard as too easy. The musical soul
within her yearned for expression, and could
not find il in the simple utteranccs that
please and satisfy the taste of the multitudes.
There was very little money to spare in
her fathers household, for the numerous
mouths and vigorous appetites of the many
brothers and sisters made heavy and unre-
hitting demands upon the worn pocket
book into which the weekly earnings of
Hans were put, but where they never stayed
for a great length of time. But whenever
| Minnie could obtain lrifling sum ii went to
| buy classical music, and when she could
| leave the clamor and confusion of home for
the quiet of the unoccupied school-room,
| she would hasten off to practice her latest
acquisition. All that was sordid and coarse
in her daily life was forgotten in the rapture
OF song. So she learned something of the
great masters in music and became proficient
in reading difficult pieces at sight.
She was almost touching her fifteenth
| year. The time was close at hand when,
like the daughters of other poor men, she
must begin to earn her own living and assist
her parents in their unremitting endeavors
TO keep the wolf away from the door. But
even the willing cannot always Immediately
find employment, and so Minnie and her
parents waited for some opportunity in a
book -bindery, or umbrella factory, or other
business where the girl might gain
a few dollars week in exchange for all
her time and strength, and such skill as she
might acquire. Nobody thought Of turning
her musical talents to account They might
suffice for amusement, but in the great con-
test of life they were not considered availa-
bic. Viewed in the light of later events,
suck conclusion seems remarkable, but
such was, nevertheless, the fact The poor
and unknown German shoemaker Ind no
aspirations for his child, or if he had, he re-
gardcd them as hopeless, and srove only ia
realize the attainable.
On the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty
fifth street, in New York city, stands q
church whose rector has come TO the con
clusion that Professionalism is a failure. Pro
tcstantism might poasibly reciprocatc that
view upon the aforesaid clergyman. How.
ever that may be, il came to pass within q
very few years back, that the choir of that
church lacked soprano. 1t has wealthy
congregation, and they wanted good arii
Gle of voice for which they were willing
to pay fair price. The precise soprano
they lacked did not speedily appear. Al
advertisement was inserted in the Herald
AID number of applicants presented them
selves, Ladies who might be seen on week
nights, representing with equal indifference
peasants or court ladies in the choruses n
the opera, teachers of music, amateurs VIII
fanccd themselves gifted in vocal direc
tieD, were patiently heard. Many Of then
were worthy, some of them were capable
a few were miserable singers indeed. Blu
, the music committee were fastidious an
the organist was incxorable.
Hans and his family had moved pretty ia
up town by this time, though their residcnc
/ was in anything but fashionable quarter
/ They occupied part of the ground floor {
, an old frame building on the eastern side {
the city. People passing along the stree
: heard, and sometimes paused to hear ric
, and beautiful voice pealing out from th
miserable tenement, as il from some rar
! song-bird dwelling in most shabby and III
| nl,anpn Iirontp1 thithni
c ward the steps of the stout gentleman wit
G black moustache, who sang bass in til
c choir of the church alluded to. lie hear
: those pure, sustained tones rising HEAVIER
S ward from the squalor and poverty Of I'll
= neighborhood, and having heard, remen
$ bercd them. When next he met the critic
A organist, he spoke to him of that wonderf
: voice. The case was growing desperate
C The need of fine soprano was felt mo-
c and more every Sunday. So Mr.. johnson
the organ-player, sent off a messenger
n find out the singer and request her to con
d to the church at noon on the next Sunda
d The hour arrived. The service was owe
r, and the congregation had been dismisse
&C Mr.. Johrson sat in the choir, and the mus
J. committee stood in the aisles below. Pre-
0. emily there entered to the organist poor
1t dressed man bearing in face and name
4 the marks of unremitting toll Holding
l. his hand was a young girl, a mere chi
4, in appearance. Her dress was very simp
ir for it was cheap calico, and on her hc
ID was a very inexpensive straw hat But Il
10 fresh grace of youth adorned the costunl
is and the maiden was pretty sight as s.
came forward with her father and look
G. at the organist without fear, yet entire
lie without offrontery.
IN 81 am the person you sent for" she sal
In Mr.. johnson was disappointed? TT
ms child was of course deficient in knowleda
y power, skill-all that he required. He talk
th with her little, nevertheless. She had
ch telligence at least. She should not TO aw
IN without hearing, although he had no ho
IL that she would answer his expectations.
u 81 would like to hear you sing" he sal
o. "What will you try!"