News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-03-08
"And the music p asked Bessie, mis-

l anu IHe music usheu bessie, mis-
chievously.
} ''Safe in corner of my trunk" wa
MOllie's ready answer. " Waiting to be
taken out the minute Ireach Elsies to
morrow afternoon"
ooh, Helen!" exclaimed Amy, ssdc
, tell us about Daisy Bliss's party. I have
not heard word, and l am just longing
10 know"
Consequently Helen launched into one
T of those lengthy and comprehensive
, descriptions so delightful to girlish
hearts. And as she felt quite in her ma
tive element, and no interesting detail
had escaped her observant eyes, it bid
fair to rival ''the story without an end, "
and was only concluded by the ringing
of the tea bell, which was followed by a
general leave taking, when, after re-
peated Kisses anu I,,lssses and many
earnest entrea5.et 10 'Nfise real. often,
and tell us all about everything" the
girls departed.
1t is needless to relate the varied
pleasures of the next three months;
suffice it that Mollie considered it the
loveliest summer she had ever spent;
and the few minutes practice had be-
come such matter of course that she
felt no temptation to neglect it.
The months glided rapidly by, and,
almost before she knew it, Mollie found
| herself on the threshold of another year.
She was playing over some of her old
pieces, with happy sense of her re-
covered power, when Bessie Arlington
appeared, followed by Amy and Helen.
! " We're the Visiting Committee" she
explained. "Come to inquire into the
state of your accomplishments. I sup
pose you've not forgotten that your year
is up?"
NO." said Mollie, Iaughingly. "But
/ shall commence another one to-mor-
row."
"Good!" cried Amy. "That's what I
call perseverance"
'Hush!' cried Bessie. I'm the chair
woman. Come, girls, let's proceed to
business. Mollie, you never know what
things are worth until they are tested,
and so we are going to test y0u."
''Have pity on mel" pleaded Mollie,
in mock despair. ''Is it to be by the
ordeal by fire, or thumbscrews, or what?"
'No," said Bessie. gravely. "We are
not quite educated up to that yet. But
l want to see if your practicing this past
year has amounted to anything, and SO
l have brought over this sonata for you
to play, as a kind of examination, you
know" And Bessie seated herself in an
easy-chair, with what was intended for
look of judicial severity.
"But I've never seen it BEFORE fall
tered Mollie. "And I know can't play
it nicely if [ feel you are all watching
me-"
"Tisn't very hard" whispered Amy,
eilcouragingly.
81 think its awful" sighed Helen.
81 tried it this morning, and I couldn't
get through isx measures.
Mollie settled herself on the piano
stool, turned up the corners of the
leaves, and began to play, at first slow
ly and with hesitation, and then with in
creasing clearness and strength, and as
she became more interested, with a
nicely Of touch and an intelligence of ex-
preston TINT revealed the benefit of the
past years careful practice. As she
struck the last chord she faced her small (
audience with -an aic of s~par2onable /
pride, and asked triumphantly, "Well, !
Bessie, what do you think of ten min
utes day now!"
Bessie's look of severity vanished, and |
she sprang from her chair and gave her |
friend most undignifed hug. you've
done beautifully" she cried 81 knew
you would all the time: But it's in me
to be perverse; and | thought it might |
inspire you to have an unbelieving crea-
ture like me around. / did it for your
good, my dear, she added, sagely.
That night, when Mollie retired to her
room, she noticed on her bureau two
small drawings, that bore the marks OF
pencil. One was the picture of
little girl perched on high piano
stool, and practicing, with marvelouly
long hngers, and an expression that was
evidently intended for fierce determine
ton. This rather weak-looking portrait
was entitled "Past Perseverance,. The
1ther was the figure of tall and strik-
ng young lady, in much beribbOned
Ind beruff1ed gown, standing by piano
n the act OF making profound courte-
~ to an unseen audience, while bouquets
If mammoth proportions were falling at
Ter feet. This truly extraordinary work
If art was labelled Future Fame"
Iollie had hardly examined them when
he caught sight of paper fastened to
Ter pincushion, bearing these words, in
Amys delicate handwriting, but signed
With Bessie's name.
eye lads and lasses musical,
Come, listen while We may;
The only way to learn to play
Is to practice steady every day.
"This is Miss Mollie Winthrop,
Who practiced faithfully,
And now she's the greatest prodigy
The world did ever see.
"And if you would be like her.
You must with patience play
Your scales and exercises
Ten minntcs every day."
Mollie laughed merriIy over these
verses, and then she said,
eyes, it's really been
uccess, and it's such a very nice thing to
o. Oh, wish every girl would try it!
IN sure they would if they only knew
ow well it's paid"