The National tribune., 1883-04-26
TIE SWEET SINGER,
And the Concert which He Gave for
Little. FlOy.
by Mrs. Wells Ferrin.l
"What is itq asked Papa Bisbee.

"What is it?" echoed Mamma Bisbee.
"What is it?' chimed in little Floy.
Dora Bisbee had just unfolded the morning
paper, and her low cry of joy and surprise, as
her eyes glanced over its columns caused the
little group on the back porch to ask the above
question.
Mr.. Bisbee laid down his newspaper, his wife
paused with her hands in the dough, and little
ten-year old Floy rested her brown hands on
the top of the churn-d asher, which she was
moving swiftly up and down, to listen as her
sister read:
1.-The celebrated German musician Carl
Fraulander will give one of his matchless en-
tertainments in this city this evening in Mark
well Hall. As the Professors fame has long
preceded him it is unnecessary to say that
he will meet with a warm reception and
crowded house. Let everybody come. Such
opportunities are rare"
The Bisbee family lived upon farm ten
miles from the city of C, and consisted of
father and mother and four children. The
oldest girls were twinS-Cora and Dora-aged
| seventeen, and possessed of more than ordinary
beauty. They had been petted and well-nigh
spoiled by short-sighted parents and friends
and were looked upon as very superior beings
by their young sister Floy. For had they not
been away to boarding school, and taken music
lessons and learned to do up their hair in the
latest style2
"We must all CO." said Dora, laying down
the paper.
'Of course we must" added Cora, who had
appeared in time to hear the announcement.
.Idon't see how we can all CO." remarked
Mr.. Bisbee. The two-seated buggy that /
| lent yesterday to neighbor Thomas has lost a
bolt, and can't be used until it is repaired The
carriage can seat but three, and that not very
comfortably; SO somebody will have to stay
| at home"
| 1t was a plain case-some one must stay
Dora looked hopefully at her mother. Mrs.
Bisbee noticed the appealing glance and came
| promptly to the rescue.
81 could not think of going with baby" she
said, $50 will stay, for one"
And / will stay with mamma" said Floy,
who knew she would be expected to make this
sacrifice; but she looked straight down at the
frothy ring Of cream on the cRurn cover as she
said it, that they might not see how hard she
was trying to keep back the tears Musical
| little girl that she was, she did not know that
! there was greater charm in the simple bal
| lads she sang to baby than in the operate airs
| her sisters spent so much time in practicing to
! sing when there was company. But she did
know how she had longed to hear the German
gentleman sing, and how she had read every
thing she could find in the papers about him
and the other fine singers with him. And now
he was coming, and she must stay at home-or
somebody mustard she had offered to do so
herself, and with so little show of reluctance
| it had cost her.
That's darlingp' cried Cora, kissing her
Well bring you some candy"
As if candy could make up for it!
And so it was arranged that Mr.. Bisbee and
the twins should take an early tea, and drive
Topsy, the fry black pony, and reach c.
| in time to secure good seats in the hall for it
would be crowded. Cora said; and Dora
said if she could not get good seat near the
| platform she would not 60 at ALL
Floy watched the preparations with almost
| feyersh interest, noting how careful Cora was
to arrange her hair becomingly, and Dora 20
| place the rich lace at throat and wrist, and
wondered if, when she grew to be a big girl"
| she would have such a nice time" as they
| were going to have. And when they had been
| tucked into the carriage, and Topsy spun away
| out of sight, we will not wonder that she did
shed a few childish tears of disappointment,
and wiped them away with the corner of her
! calico apron.
| By-and-by the twilight began to gather, and
| with it tokens of coming storm. The supper
dishes had been washed and put away, and
Floy was teaching baby to patty cake" when
the curly head of a neighbours little SOP was
thrust in at the door, and piping voice ex-
claimed
"Please, Miss Bisbee could You come over
an doctor mother bit? She is got awful
tack nooralgy, an says fer you to bring over
some of your nervine powder. She is berry
bad" added the boy, as he detected the doubt
in Mrs Bisbee's manner. That good lady
looked at her children, and then at the gather
ing s clouds
while, Floy? will come back as soon as pos
sible"
oh, no, / shall not be one bit afraid. Baby
and will have a nice time while you are gone
won't we, darling?" she said, shaking his
string of spools gleefully at him, whercupon
Freddie laughed and crowed, and Mrs. Bisbee
kissing them both, went out into the gathering
darkness. Floy amused her baby brother until
he began to grow sleepy, and then, like little
mother, she put on his night-gown and rocked
/! him to sleep, and tucked him in the crib
| Meanwhile the rain that had been threatening
began to fall in large warm drops, which in
| creased in number, until at length it came
pouring down i'll torrents, with gusts of wind
| that bent the old elm in the yard, and strewed
| the ground with branches from neighboring
| trees.
Little F1oy, white and frightened, but with
/ her usual presence of mind, closed the chamber
windows first, then those below, and watched
/ the violence of the storm which the binding
flashes of lightning now and then revealed
She thought of her father and sisters, and
wondered If they or any one else, were out in
this dreadful storm.
Just then, as if in answer to her questioning
| thought, there came knock at the door so
loud and determined that it startled her. She
| thought of tramps, of robbers, of n neighbour
but no neighbor would knock like that. Quak-
ing with fear, she gathered Trip, Cora's poodle
in her arms for sort of body guard, and started
to answer the summons. She turned the handle
| slowly, and held the lamp high over her head
| as she peered out into the gloom.
| There, drenched with water and bare-headed
stood short, stout gentleman-and he spas
| gentleman, Floy could see at a glance-who
bowed politely, and begged to be allowed shelter
| until the storm was over.
| "The wind carried my hat away" he ex-
| planned, passing his fingers through his wet,
curly locks. He stepped into the hall at Floy's
invitation, and removed his water soaked
overcoat
| 81 have been quite unfortunate" he coptin-
ned, noticing the shy look with which the
little girl regarded him. ~ expected to reach
G. tonight, but owing to a railroad acct
dent was obliged to stop at the first station
above here and hire q conveyance to the city.
1t is almost impossible to keep the road, with
the rain and lightning binding one So"
| His gentlemanly manner, and that nameless
something which comes from long contact with
good society, put orr little heroine at ease in q
moment, and placing an easy-chair for him,
she spread his drenched coat before the fire to
dry, and protfered him her fathers slippers and
dressing gown. They were accepted with
charming bow and thank you" that quite
/ won her heart.
| w., IL