The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-05-24

i 1t was an opera night-one of the night
!. when the queen OF song was to thrill every
heart in the charming opera OF "SOmnanbu
Ila." OF course the Raymonds were going
and whcn Maud llcnnessey came down, hcl
white opera cloak over her arm, Phil though
she had never looked so lovely. They were
waiting for her, and Uncle Phil sand, rs he tap
ped her on the cheek:
Late, my dear; we shan't be III time for tht
overture
They were indeed late, for, rs the carriage
turned INTO Irving Place, the sound of distant
music was waited To their ears There was a
long line of carriages, and while waiting their
turn, there came Il sweet voice through the
open window;
Lilies, water-liies frcshly-gathcrcd today,
lady" and little brown hand held up an cX'
qulsite bunch of delicate water-hies, while
1.-TWO magnificent eyes beamcd on Maud in the
darkness.
ooh, Uncle Phil, just see those beauties
oh, how sweet they are! Let me have them,
won't you? | haven't any bouquet, and these
will make me the belle Of the evening. And
such pretty little girl declare her eyes are
lovely What is your name, little grl?'
Jessie Graham timidly responded the
child. And while Mr.. Raymond was paying
her for the lilies they all noticed that her eyes
dilated with a strange, unnatural excitement.
She clasped her little hands, and her breath
came and went IN quick, CONCLUSIVE gasps.
"Why do you look so, chid?' said Maud.
what do you hear?'
The music, lady; don't you hear it, Oh,
it must be like heaven to be therc!'
"a queer notion Of heaven, youngster,"
laughed Phil, Jr. That music isn't SO bad
but you'll find the angels decidedly of the
earth, earthly"
"Husl, Phil, said Maudc, you shant plague
the child. Just look al her eyes, | declare
they brighten me-"
Mr. Raymond had also been watching that
which bctokcned so plainly soul within, and
now he sad kindly, Would you like to go in,
| little girl, and hear the music" And turning
to Maudc, he added, "I.ct us take her in the
box and see what she will do; there's plenty
of room"
"Oh, yes" SAID Maud while Phil, Jr., sheer
ed slightly, saying:
| another of the SPHINX freaks; but every
thing is allowable when it Is done by your
uncle"
The little girl looked up on hearing his
question. and seeing by his kind face that he
was not triiing with her she began, "Oh, sir,
90 i'm there" but even the thought was too
much for joy, and two large tears rolled down
her brown cheeks. They were answer enough,
and taking her by the hand, he led the way
into their box.
Great was the CONSERVATION among Philip
Raymond's friends when they saw him enter
his box leading the little flower girl by the
hand Between the acts many Of them came
to be informed what II all meant; but Maud
laughed it OIL rs one of Uncle PhilS queer
freaks TO those in the box themselves, how
ever, II was pleasure enough to watch the cN-
preston of the chIld'S tacc rs she gazed upon
that brilliant and fascinating scene, and
listened to the sweet and touching strains of
"Amna.'
She gazcd, she laughed she wept; and when,
after superb rendering Of an ARIA, the canta-
trice was encorcd, and about to repeat it, she
rose in the box, seemingly unconscious of ev-
erythng around her, and listened breathlcssly
| till the last note died away Then she said,
dreamily, 81 can sing it. | can sing it," and
while the thunder OF applause was echolng
through the house, recalling the prima donna,
she sang in q clear strong voice the notes Of
the air, even to the very last, and when she
had finished, she bowed her head in her hands
and burst into tears.
| The trio looked at her and at one another in
amazement There were tears in Maud's
eyes, and moisture in Uncle Pills too, as he
said, softly:
Little girl, music has Il wonderful effect up
on you; you love it, do you not?'
"Ycs, sir"
And you have strong voice, and aremark
ably correct ear for one SO young. Who taught
you to sing?"
"My mother" said Jessie; but have not
heard any one sing since she died"
us your father livng?"
mo, sir; | live with the gardener, and sell
flowers"
Mr., Raymond thought "A few moments and
then handed Il card to the little girl, saying:
Come TO me to that address tomorrow, and
will sec what can be done for you"
The party returned home, deeply impressed
with the scene which they had witnessed.
This was evidently no ordinary child. She
had manifested an exquisite susceptibility to
the influence of harmony that indicated finely
organized nature, and her own uncutivated
voice was sweet and thrilling. Maud and
Phil ratified on, discussing these and other
events of the evening" but Mr.. Raymond was
unusually silent and thoughtful.
On the following day little Jessie came to
him as he had requested, and having by fur
ther questioning found she had no relatives
living, no one who had any claim upon her, |
he asked her how she would like to go where
she could learn to sing such music AS she had
heard the night before. The child's delight !
may be magined-she would do anything, 90
anywhere, so her passion for music could be
gratilied. His plan was already matured lie
placed her in an institution where under a
competent teacher, her voice could be brought
out and cultivated, without ncglecting other
branches of liberal education. She improved
her time well, while becoming profcient-cX-
ceiling indeed in many branches-yet she gave
most of her time and thought to music. 1t |
was her passion. She cherished ii rs the one |
delight of her life, and would pass hours ut
the piano over the exquisite melodies in which
her soul delighted.
She was going to teach she said, but she
did wish Uncle Phil would let her sing in the
Opera.
lie had taught her to call him Uncle Phil
as did Maud, and he watched with eager in
terest the gradual unfolding OF that generous
girlish heart Almost unconsciously to him
self. the thought of those glorious eyes and
magnificent voice had become Il part Of his
very life. lie could not imagine himself liv-
ing without it, and when he thought of her