The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-29
Miss Fortescue the Seamstress
Or
FORTUNES CHANGES.
CONTINUED.

ly gentleman, having very Senlai aspect,
called on Alice and introduced himself as
Mr.. Pryor, chairman, etc, etc. After the
first salutations were over, Alice expressed
her deep obligations TO the committee for
their very flattering and unexpected offer.
Finding that her caller was disposed to be
sociable and chatty, she jestingly remark
eds
ain offering me this engagement MIR.
Pryor, it would seem that the gentlemen of
the committee have been little venture
some, for they take me entirely on trust" "
"In part, Miss Fortescue, but not en-
tirely," said the gentleman, with good
humored smile,
"SuVeiy no one, with the exception of
my mother" rejoined Alice, "has heard
me sing since have resided here"
"Pardon ne,' replied Mr.. Pryor, 81
think you labor under a slight mistake p
"I am positive, SIR" said Alice, 3" that
1 have not sung note out of this room,
and only in the presence of my mother"
al will admit all that" sniiingly re-
marked Mr.. Pryor, "but not that your
mother has been at all times your sole au-
.ditor. Let me explain" he added, seeing
the wondering expression on A2ice's face:
''Last Tuesday evening, think it was,
"a young gentleman belongingto our COM
mittee, by the merest accident happened to
extend his walk in this direction. AS he
arHived.opposite your house, his steps were
arrested, to use his own language, by one
Of the sweetest voices he ever heard He
waited on the walk until the lady had fin
ished her singing. He matle inquiries in
regard to said lady, ascertained her name,
and 'by his urgent recommendation the
,comnilttee was induced to invite her to
-sing'ia the choir"
"That, then, solves the mystery which
hasIpRzzled mother and myself not little" !"
said Alice, modest blush mantling her
cheeks. "We wondered why the invita-
abilities the committee must be, as we
supposed, in total ignorance"
"I acknowledged just uow," remarked
Mr.. Pryor, "that we selected you partly
on trust, but not entirely. We have re-
lied solely on the representations of the
young gentleman who listened to your
performance; have no doubt that when
'the,Yest of the committee hear you this
evening, they will be quite as favorably
impressed as was r'yeung friend"
Ms Alice began to mSlSe preparations for.
her departure, Mr.. Pryor said:
"HBy the by, Miss Fortescue would you
object to sing this evening the piece which
so charmed my friend the other evening p'
-"It was an Ave Maria by Schumann,"
said Alice, going to the music-stand and
selecting the composition; 81 will sing it
with pleasure"
Ina short time they started to attend the
rehearsal On the way to the church her
companion remarked that he had invited a
number of friends, which he hoped would
not be Objectionable to her.
'''Not in the least" was her reply; "but
you must remember, Mr. Pryor, that this
willbesmy debut therefore any short COM
ings that may arise from the embarrass-
ment, of the occasion taust will be over
looked"
The gentleman assured her that every
thing would be taken into consideration,
.whilehis mental conclusion was, as lie gazed
into the brave face turned to him, that
there'was but very little danger of her fail
ing to meet all requirements.
On being introduced to the choir, Alice
received a very cordial greeting from its
members, among whom she very soon felt
herself, quite at home. She was taken a
aittle by surprise at the large number of
ladies and gentlemen present in the body
of the.chupeh. She felt that it was not
before an ordinary audience that she was
to appear, bat an assembly of critics. 1t
was trying situation for the young singer.
Had she been constitutionally timid, the
fact we have mentioned would very natu-
rally have caused her TO appear to disad-
vantage. But she was fortunately blessed
with good share of confidence, and she
awaited the ordeal with less perturbation
than she had feared she should experience.
There was a slight tremulousness percep-
tible in Alice's voice at the commencement
of the first piece sung by the choir not
sufficient to mar the tones, nor marked
enough to attract particular notice. In
stead of telling against her, it seemed rath-
er to enlist the sympathies of the audience
in her behalf II soon passed of, however,
and her voice swelled out to its full COM
pass, clear and defined, yet blending har-
moniously with the other parts. It was
very evident bv the axnressiva noddino of