Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-08-04
ONLY the Music-Teacher.


in reply to an inquiry from her companion, as
the loor-bell rang.
She sat tete-a-tete with Russell Sydney, a
handsome, higf-bred, wealthy young man on
whom the belle cast her eyes with a soft
ened lustre.
.The music-teachcr. Ale you taking lessons,
Miss Anslie?' he asked.
Yes she replied, and this is my hour. II
you have nothing special to do, however, you
may stay here and look over the pictures, and
read till return, | generally get tired aud
wind mp my lessons in half an hour
Il love music so well that l would gladly
osay, even yo,, rr.stss,' lie s...-..ssd.
'Very well but you must stop your ears when
| come to the scales said Mabel, laughlngly,
as she left the room.
Russell Sydney admired Mabe'ls beauty and
elegance, with sufficient warmth to have his
sentiments for her kindled into love, If no ad-
verse fltes interferel; and his regard had now
reached critical pont,a which the scale must
soon be turned.
He listened eagerly for the sound other voice
for music framed so important an element in
his existence that lie wished the woman whom
he might choose should possess q fine voice.
Mabel's however, disappointed him. 1t was
correct, but cold and litelcss. The electric spark
did not glow in its tones.
But ere long another voice broke on the All,
so warm, so full of sympathy, and OF exquisite
bly, along the tide ofmelody.
The song was Gounod's delicious 'Fruhlings'
lied ISpring song1. and as the singer went on,
it seemed to Sydney that he could see the fra
grant green and tender,violstes sprinSihg around
him.
The wintry breeze sighed through the bare
Trees but all this passed from his consciousness,
in tho bright vision Of spring. which this beauti-
fil voice called up.
na a lnnu nf W., %
came to close; but when Mabel rel Gated 1t af-
ter her teacher, although she did So very well,
as far as the execution was concerned, yet
the spell was broken---the snow, sleet, and
wintry wind were no longer conjured away.
who Is your teacher" asked Sydney, eagerly
when Mabel returned. 'As the Mohammedans
say Of the angel Israeli Iier heart-strings are a
late, and she has indeed tile greatest voice Of
all Gods creatures
Rash young man, tp speak thus to one wo-
man in unreseyed praise ofanother. But sgd
nry was ice from envy and jealousy himself,
and knew not the shoals on which lie was
touching.
She is Miss Alice Leslie SAID Mabel coldly
'She is quite good teacher, think, which is
| very fortunate her in her reduced circuni-
stances.
'ls her music all her livelihood! asked sgd
ncy.
Yes. She is an orphan, and has a little broth.
! er and sister dependent on her. Her father
was dissipated man, and made complete
wreck Of her property; but fortunately, gave
| this girl some advantages Of educstion, before
| he lost his estate
| Russell Sydney seemed disposed to question
| Mable further about the young musie-teacher
| but her replies were so brief, that after awhile
lie could not avoid seeing that the topic.was un
, welcome, and so droppedit it.
Some weeks after this, Mable gave a musica
! sOirce
Il don't wish to have Miss Leslie here at all
said she tC her mother;i but no one else play
nv Accomplishments so we'll. But, remember
mother, do not wish her TO be asked to sing
When the guests were all assembled, ther
was one who looked strange amongst the ga
company, a young woman dressed with lady
like refinement, but perfect simplicity;o th
face liz up by clear, gray eyes, and shaded b
waving black hair that rippled on her fair ten
Pies.
: bert's Gondola Song, one in which the effect
the song is greatly heightened by the weird ric
beauty OF the accompaniment.
. z So exquisitely did Alice Leslie render all I'll
eradations In this accompaniment, that TIN
: majority OF the hearers listened more eagerly
d this than to the song, and afer Mabel had fl
n ished singing, a lady standing near begged A
l ice to sing, adding that one who accompanied u
f singing Of Others 80 DcdltHuily, Iuttst sure
!. | sing well herself. This request being secon'
!, ed by large circle, Mabel and her moth'
y were forced to let Alice comply
s, Russell Sydney was one Of the circle Of liste
a ers, and lie Tcveled in a sea OF delight as 81
"a sang.
10 Her repetoire suited his taste admirably
le Leaving the beaten track Of opera selection
&c she sang detached songs and ballads by Gouno
~ Abt, and Kucken.
4, When she arose, lie led her to a seat, and e
re tered in conversation with hcr. Poor Alice III
had a weary lot. She had 10 buffet with u
o. world for scanty living, and now, when 81
= met with this high bred man who treated h
with courtesy as deferential as if she had bet
a alleen aid who listened with interest to e.
cry word she spoke, il was as though pilgril
ie walking through arid sands, haasiddenly cor
'a on cump OF palms aud . bright sparki
N spring.
sv Never had Mabel's beauty slione with a brig
Ter lustrc than on this night; but her haughl
in Jealous heart chafed, as she saw Sydney bel
w ing over Alice in long, and earnest oonver
tion.