Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-18
RUTH'S PROFESSOR.

Hillsboro people were very musical
They took short trips to Boston very
often to attend concerts and opera, and
when the city teachers came out to
Hillsboro they were always sure OF .
good class.
Professor Bahr held two weeks
convention, and intended to wind up
with IN entertainment at the first
church (no matter what the denomina-
ton was), in which all the leading sing
ers were to take parts.
Now there ought 10 be harmony
among musicians but there isn't
always. There wasn't IN Hillsboro, just
at present. Miss Lucy Slemmons had
been the leading soprano for many
years. Not because she deserved to be,
but because, like a good many other
people in this cor ceited little world,
she had assumed the place herself and
wouldn't be put down.
Professor Bahr, with his quiet, Ger
man manner, and his sharp, far seeing
German eye, saw through Miss Stem
mons directly, and bore with her AFRO.
CANT ways very patiently all through
the convention.
1t was true that several times when
be wanted difficult passage in
terpre,ed. he called sweet, brown-eyed
Ruthie Gordon to the piano to sing it,
and never seemed to notice that Miss
Slemmons sulked the rest Of the even
ing and would not sing at all.
Still, he gave her quite place and at.
tention enough to satisfy any
reasonable woman. But Miss Lucy
wasn't reasonable, and wouldn't be satis-
fed. She was mad enough to tear
Ruthie's pretty brown hair out; but she
meant totally to eclipse her on the night
Of the grand concert, and so now she
could afford to smile and be gracious.
81 do hope to goodness Professor
Bahr will put Ruth In first soprano. and
leave Lu Slemmons clear out, said the
leading alto, when they were discuss.
ing probabilities on rehearsal tonight.
$50 say I, Miss Clement" remarked
the best basso.
Don't believe he'll venture. The
Slemmons is too strong to bep1t down"
remarked tenor.
"Strong she may be-sweet she
isn't" said the basso. And l think l
know what Professor Bahr will do"
well, We shall soon see,' said Miss
Clement, as they were called to order.
What Professor Bahr did do was to
assign Miss Slemmons two or three
parts, but not the best ones. When he
came to them ne said, in his odd way. ::
"Mees Gordon, you will sing de aria
in Angels Ever Bright and Fair, and
you will sing who's at My Window
Mr.. Braun viii play the accompaniment.
Mees Slemnons. yoa will sing the solo
in de next chorus, and de second
soprano IN de Greeting"
Miss Slemmons bridled ana her
black eyes snapped.
"rll do no such thing |" she said.
ave been used to the leading parts. I"
Professor Bahr fixed her with his
quiet gaze.
"Who is de leader Of dis class p he
asked.
II suppose you are!" retorted Miss
Lucy, insolently.
"Den you will obey my orders or You
will leave de class; it matters not to
me-" said the professor.
Ruth, who sat silent and blushing,
tried to speak, to say she did not care
for her parts, but the professor marched
grimly on to the next row and gave her
20 chance, while. Miss Lucy, who had
90 idea OF being put clear out, subsidized.
But inwardly she was furious, and
watched for q chance to revenge her
self on Ruth, and the professor, too.
After the rehearsal was over Ruth
went up to the piano where Professor
Bahr was arranging his books, and
,sid:
"Professer. please let Miss Slem-
mons sing my solos, won't your don't
care about them"
"what, You naughty, too? No, Ivill
not let Miss Slemmons sing dam. Her