Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-05
Ruth's Professor.

Professor Bahr held two weeks conven-
ton, and intended to wind up with an en-
tertainment at the First church (no matter
what the denomination was), in which all
the leading singers were to take parts.
Now there ought to be harmony among
musicians, but there isn't always. There
wasn't in Hillsborough just at present.
Miss Lucy Slemmons had been the leading
soprano for many years. Not because she
deserved to be, but because, like good many
other people in this conceited little world,
she had assumed the place herself and
wouldn't be put down.
Professor Babr, with his quiet German
manner and his sharp, far-seeing German
eye, saw through Miss Slemmons directly,
and bore with her arrogant ways very pa
tiently all through the convention.
1t was true that several times when he
wanted a passage interpreted 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
evening, and would not sing at all. Still,
he gave her quite place, and attention
enough to satisfy any reasonable woman.
But Miss Lucy wasn't reasonable, and
would not be satisfied. She was mad
enough to tear Ruthies pretty brown hair
all out but she meant to totally eclipse her
on the night of the grand concert, and so
now she could afford to smile and be
gracious
al 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 discussing probabilities on
rehearsal for that night.
$50 say /, Miss Clement" remarked the
best basso.
"Don't believe he'll venture. The Slem-
monses are hard to put down." remarked
| the tenor.
"Strong she may be-sweet she isn't"
said the basso sand l think | know what
Professor Bahr will do"
| "Well, we shall soon see," said Miss Glenn
ent, as they were called to order.
| What Professor Bahr did was to assign
Miss Slemmons two or three parts, but not
the best ones. When he came to them he
said, in his old way:
"Mees Gordon, you will sing the aria in
Angels Ever Bright and Fair and you
will sing who's at My Window Mr.
Braun will play the accompaniment. Mees
Slemmons, you will sing the solo in the
next chorus, and de second soprano in de
Greeting"
Miss Slemmons bridled, and her black
eyes snapped.
"I'll do no such thing" she said. "Pvt
been used to the leading parts"
Professor Bahr fixed her with his quie
gaze.
"Who is de leader of dis class ?" hi
asked.
al suppose you rel" retorted Miss Lucy
insolently.
"Den you will obey my orders or you vii
leave de Glass; it matters not to me !" saiC
the professor.
Ruth, who sat silent and blushing, tried t.
speak to say she did not care for the part
assigned her, but the professor marched
grimly on to the next row and gave her nj
chance, while Miss Lucy, who had no ide;
of being put clear out, subsidized. But In
wardly she was furious, and watched for
chance to revenge herself on Ruth and tn
professor.
After the rehearsal was over Ruth wen
up to the piano, where Professor Bahr wa
arranging his books, and said:
Professor, please let Miss Slemmons sim
my parts, won't you? l don't care abou
them"
"What, you naughty, too2 No, l will no
r let Mees Slemmons sing dem. May l Sc
you home, Mees Gordon2"
"If you please" said Ruth, blushin
hotly, and retreating very quickly for he
cloak and books. 1t wasn't the first tim
Professor Bahr had walked home with Rut
, Gordon or paid her little attentions.
But as they passed Miss Slemmons sh
smiled oddly. Perhaps her revenge was nc
far off.
They rehearsed nightly the week OF th
concert, and for two or three nights Mis-
= Slemmons was very friendly and cordial
Miss Gordon, praised her singing, and b.
haved wonderfully well. Wednesday nigf
, she came very early and had little chs
J, with Ruth about certain piece they WEI
. drilling upon, and was very kind and plea
i, ant. Presently she said -
i "Ruthie, as an old friend, may ventul
: the least bit of advice2"
= "Why, certainly" said Ruth.
l. "Then / wouldn't, if were you, let Pr
=, fessor Bahr walk home with me so muc
:, OF course there's no harm in it, but when
" man has a wife, you know, it"
Ruthie turned white, then scarlet, al
said, huskily -
"a wife Professor Bahr is not married
"Why, didn't you know it, Ruthie2 Isu
posed every one knew it. He was marie
u five years ago, in Boston. It's positi
o fact, and can prove it."
N But Ruth had recovered herself now.
ait doesn't matter to me, at all, /" she sa
y proudly. "Of course he meant no harm
At mere politeness. thank you for your ca
t. tion, Lucy. shall not invite gossip" -.
A: She walked away, and Miss Lucy smil
~ again. Her work was well done, she thougl
!" She wondered if Ruth would be so d
g tressed she could not sing. But no indee
Is Never had Ruth sung clearer or sweet
4 | prnfaaaAr Rahr MA nrnuH Of her
n. meant to tell her so after rehearsal, b
when he looked for her she was gone Al
CT he walked home with clouded brow
g. Ruthie, hastily bidding goodnight to
ri. friends who were with her, ran home a
20 flew up to her chamber to give vent alo
- to the shame and agony which was wriI
ne ing her heart. She could not doubt wi
el- she had heard. Lucy said everybody KIN
Dr. it, and it could be proved. And that bel
"a. true, Professor Bahr was-why he was a '
10 lain that was ALL But he shouldn't bre
'r- her heart. Thank goodness, after the CO
es cert he would go away, and she need ne'
in see him any more and until then she col
treat him so he would never guess she car
She met him the next day, and was VI
coldly polite and at rehearsal she broul
her father with her, and left before it v
~ fairly over.
of Professor Bahr met her again on
or day of the concert, but she was still co
v He meant to speak to her. but she slipT
Dr. away from him again. /" She does not 81
ire one note till | know vat dish means
It's growled the professor, as he strobe away.
NJ. lie was not able to spare moment to
=. to her, but fortune favored him.
'is The singers were to meet in the SIN
LIST library back of the main room where
De- stage had been erected for the performe
o. Professor Bahr was there first, running o.
% a list of pieces to be given as encores. Il
~ moment Ruth came in, leaving her escort
'ar the door. She would gladly have retreat
re- but it was too late. Professor Bahr cal
eff her and asked her some questions regardi
ha her first solo. Answering him, she thr
nv OFF her cloak and hood, wishing some o
W. else would comein. The professor stood a
Ioolad ailantlv at her for a moment,