Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-02-18

dismay or alarm. With the composure ol
one who knew and could do, she waited fol
the proper time to sing.
| The last chord of the prelude was struck.
The fresh lips parted and the first magnifi-
cent note of the girls voice was heard. She
had never sung in such a worthy place. The
grand and solemn architecture, the dim, re.
ligious light, the pealing organ, lent hel
their charm and their inspiration. She went
through the entire composition without fal-
tcring and without a fault.
The erganist had undergone new sensa-
tion. In all his choir experience he had
never heard such a voice. The very first
note of Minutes voice had thrilled him
through and through. He recognized tho
treasure thus brought to light. Busy with
manuals and pedals, with ear and eye, he
yet said over and over to himself "That is
the finest voice in the world"
The music committee were almost beside
themselves with delight. There was no
question about the immense superiority Of
this young singer. What a triumph to be
able to secure her. They intercepted Hans
as he came down the gallery-stairs. They
almost hugged him in their rapture. Happy
father to have such genius for daughter!
The worthy shoemaker was overwhelmed.
Often and often he had listened to Minnie
sing at home, and through his brain dulled
with care and constant labor there had fit
ted strange thoughts that seemed like faint
memories of some far-oif better time, or like
sudden and flceting gimpses of some glori-
Gus future. Often and often he had thought
as she was singing, as of the village church
in Germany with Gr,tchen's father playing
the organ and all the children singing one
of Luthcr's hymns. Many a time his moth
ers face had risen up before him under the
spell of his daughters music, and he had
seemed to see the calm blue eyes that look
ed lovingly npon him, and the heavy blond
hair through which his childish fingers loved
to twine. Often in Sunday twilights his
eyes had filled with tears at strange tones in
AIinnies voice. But he had never expected
to receive such congratulations as were now
showered upon him, nor to have such offers
made him in the way of salary for his daugh-
ter's services.
A bargain was soon concluded for year.
Minnie had been waiting near the door 10
learn the result of the conference. When she
was told that she was engaged at what ap-
peared to her splendid salary, she put hci
arms around her fathers neck, and leaning
her soft cheek against his worn and rugged
face, thanked God that now she could indeed
earn something to help her parents and al
the little brothers and sisters at home.
There was great rejoicing at the old tcne
ment house that Sunday afternoon. Fathel
and mother and children laughed and criet
by turns, and all sorts Of gifts were promis
ed 10 the Juveniles out of the unheard of sun
that Minnie was to be paid for singing.
The next Sunday the church was filled
for the great discovery had been noiset
through all the congregation and through
many others beside, and there was intens,
anxiety to hear the yonng soprano. TIL,
greatest expectations were more than real
ized The lark that sings at Heavens gat,
could scarcely excel those clear, high cote
that poured from the white throat of the girl
flooding the whole cdificc with melody al
most uuimagined.
| So opened AIinnic's musical career. SOM
of those who heard her sing were habitue
of the opera. Hearing the same music owe
and over again becomes rather tiresome afte
IL while, and II new singer to interpret tn
old parts is always welcome. So some o
these opera goers said to each other, "Hoy
well that voice would sound upon the stage.
II was no, long before some persons were
found who were willing to bear the expense
of regular musical education for the almos
selftaught singer. Before the girl was sey
cntcen years old she had acquired ski
enough to be introduced to the public at tn
Academy of Music. A new opera, 18th
Cobbler and the Fairy" afforded the oppol
tunity, and Hans the veritable cobbler, sil
ting, in private box with Frau Grctche
and some of the olive branches saw hi
darling Minnie the recipient of the most er
thusastic applause and unlimited bouquet
from one of the largest and most fashions
bic ldiences ever assembled in the oil
structure on Fourteenth street.
For season or two this poor mans chill
delighted and surprised the New Workers
aud was then engaged for the European thu
aires She has sung i'll Paris with the grea
est acceptance, and the latest musical INTEL
1