The Republican journal., 1874-05-07

poral and earthly vanitieS, Rachel was re
called to earth by the high tones Of hel
aunt's voice, evidently in hot dispute witt
! Uncle Jacob.
Rachel had slipped across the room
opened the pages Of an oratorio, and was
humming over one of the solos she hac
Just heard. She stopped and raised hel
eyes as her aunt turned to her.
~ ou can Just give up that society and
attend to your work at home. You've
been going there year, and all it does i.
to fill your head with airs
"Oh, aunt! And they're going to have
public performance, and well each have
two tickets; 50 you and uncle can come
| to hear it,
Il wouldn't give 4 penny to hear all the
oratorios in the world, You've nothing
tit to wear at a public concert and I'm not
going to have my own sisters child on the
stage. disgracing the family"
''Oh, auntie''
Rachel gave way TO a burst of tears, too
bitterly disappointed to speak, and Uncle
Jacob shut his teeth on his pipe stem and
marched out of the house his habit when
his wife had Il spell, rs he called it
Two days atterward wonderful thing
dressed to Miss Moore 1t was from Mis-,
Carpenter, asking Miss Moore to call and
see her without delay.
Rachel dressed in her best-a crimson
merino suit, a cotton velvet sacque and a
hat with a cherry -colored feather asserting
itself-started within an hour. She found
Miss Carpenter in the front room, second
floor, of an elegant house, in fashion
able street. Miss Carpenter, in becom-
ing gray wrapper, was lying on dark
crimson lounge, and Rachel looked the
sorrow She felt when the famous contralto
spoke in hoarse. weak voice:
"Oh, thank you. Miss Moore! You see
Im laid up; no singing for me the doctor
says, within ten days. | was in the great
est distress about my Christmas service,
until | thought of YOU You see, Christ
mas coming on Sunday, all the good
singers are engaged, and | want you to
take my place in the choir"
Il ?" cried Rachel when able to speak
Yes, YOU"
"How can /
" Very well, il you'll keep up your
courage, The part Of music is not any
more difficult than what YOU have been
singing; there are two or three duets and
a trio; but you will have three rehearsals
one tonight, and the others on Friday
and Saturday evenings. You read easily?"
Yes, | can read" Rachel was sure She
was dreaming.
''lll send note to the organist and tell
him 10 consider You my substitute. Do
You know where the church is?"
Rachel flushed.
II oft ~ ~ /,
Jacob, to hear YOU sing, she might have
added, but Rachel stopped short strange
to say, Miss Carpenter read the motive in
the tell-tale eyes and felt 4 sensation of
pleasure.
"The only thing IS the anthem; our
soprano is not too good and promised
Mr Mason, oh, Thou That Tcllest' Do
You know it ?"
Il can sing it, but not a it should be
sung
Come and run it over for me can
tell then whether You may attempt it
Now, don't get timd Just sing as il no
one were listening; and let me tell You
that IS what You must always do in solos :
throw your whole soul into the music
forget the choir and the congregation the
organist will follow You, and You'll be
sure to make All impressionn
Poor Rachel This sounded like fine
satire. However, Miss Carpenter had
opened Steinway Grand, and was play
ing the accompaniment with a strong clear
touch. Rachel sang, at first slightly tremu-
lous, afterwards thoroughly alive to the
necessity of doing her best Uncle Jacob
must not be disgraced by his one pupil
Bravo :" cried Miss Carpenter 1t will
do. What Il pure stvle, just what Mr.
Mason admircs You have good teacher.
Then your voice How old aie YOU"
''Eighteen.'
why, my dear child, your fortune is
in your throat Your tones are so even,
now mine yaly I have to manage to
produce effect put you. you need only
sing. Now | feel quite relieved Be
prompt at rehearsal tonight, and well,
you'll get along. Don't mind the chorus
choir They are young people of means,
who volunteer their services for the sake
of the instruction. They are what we
professionals call stuck-up, but vouneedn't
look at them
AS Rachel was gong away, quite over
powered by this interview, Miss Carpeter
pressed ten-dollar bill into her hand,
saying, she might want something tor
Christmas, and that was part payment in
advance.
''Rachels nearly crazy, Jacob; shes
got Il ten-dollar bill III advance for some
singing that she's to do on Christmas
Money must be plenty with some pco-
ple" was Aunt AIartha's salutation that
afternoon
Uncle Jacob forgot his pipe and listen
ed to Rachel's explanation with open
mouth and eyes
Its your chance, Rachel. You must
make the best of it. Ill go down to the
church with YOU"
Yes, do; then can get those dresses
cut. | think I'll put on my best things"
NO, you will not, Rachel; they'll wear
out time enough said Aunt Martha,
sharply
SO Rachel started in her shabby shawl,
door. followed some other people up a
narrow stair through Il dark passag be-
hind the organ, and emerged into a bril-
liant little gallery, with the organ on one
side and rows Of people in gay dresses on
the other
A bald-headed man sitting at the organ
loOkeu Ill n4f from He;tu 10 IOOJ rs Snt
stood before him, at first with surprise.
then thoughtfully. Finally he drew note
from his pocket, read it, and again in
spected Rachel.
''Are You Miss Moore?'
Rachel nodded He pointed to seat
near him, and as she passed him to sit
down, she felt the suppressed litter that
went round the gallery.
Uncle Jacob, who had ensconced him
self in front pew below, realized tho
ordeal his little niece was undergoing
Yet he fairly hugged himself at this wond-
rons chance; and as the tap on the organ
called for attention, he strained his ears
to catch the tones Of the fresh young voice
he had trained SO long and patiently.
Meanwhile, Rachel at last raised her
eyes to the tall music rack before her
gazed beyond it down the dimly defined
aisles and rows of pews, then up to the
Gothic arches and graceful columns.
What could be more delightful than to
sing in this place; to feel ones voice