Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-07-19

ship which have been handed down from
generation TO generation among the people
Of her native land, until they have become
polished, rounded and refined TO beauty
the hand of a master of masters alone
could equal The melody was mated 10
words by Norway's poet Of freedom, Hen
rik Wer2eland, and every word and every
note came from the singers heart IL was
about certain poor Ragna who was TAX
ing her leave for the city, and who was
bidding farewell to home and mother.
I'D oes this gentle Helga think of Journey
ing forth into the wide world" asked tho
traveller who readily followed the Nor
wegian words.
"Aye," said the guide "She longs and
fears TO go. she comes often To the water
fall 20 learn of the Eorcegrin, that is the
water spirit in whom our people have i'm
plicit faith. They often tell OF seeing and
hearing him, as he floats through the foam,
with his hoary beard, golden crown and
white mantle, making music on the glitter
ing strings of his harp. Helga believes she
can learn to sing from him, even as her
rural brothers have learned to play magic
strains on this fddles. You have heard
them at the rustic Dances you know what
wild inspiration they display. This girl
has the same ring in her voice, but not con-
tent she is pining for the musical training
OF great city,
al must talk with her." declared the trav-
eler, with sudden resolution. "She has a
great career before her To meet it may
be given TO make the first stages of it easy
for her"
Luther Marsdon was an honored citizen
of one of the Northwestern states of the
New World. He had his numerous posi-
tions of trust, his fair name was untarn-
ished; he was honored at home and abroad;
he possessed inherited wealth, culture and
refined tastes; he had many resources
within himself TO make life beautiful yet
at 80 years OF age he was wanderer on tho
face of the earth, bereft of all those tender
ties that could enable him TO enjoy what he
had at his command. 1t has been two
years since death had bereft him Of his
idoliZed wife and three children, and
thenceforth he had secured the earth in
search Of courage to pick up the threads OF
everyday life at home.
He had passed six weeks in Norway, and
had been stirred by scenery, her history,
her folklore ana folk music as he had been
stirred by nothing since his bereavement.
| Here was life, here was strength He
would quaff the delicious mountain air and
become whole again The new vigor in
, fused into his veins made him long to be up
and doing, and the sound OK Helgas voice
suggested to his mind something to be
done. There was material in the girl for
second Jenny Lind, and he would see TO
having it properly developed.
! The guide presented Mr.. Marsdon from
America to "Heiga Sylvfest, the bravest
I LIT Il. /
| ga dropped her quaint courtesy and invited
the gentleman 10 share the MONDAY meal
with her and MART, her dairy companion.
! Soon they were all seated about the unpre-
tending board, partaking of the inviting
/ curds and other appetzing dishes.
! Helga's bushes came and went very rap
idly as the conversation turned upon her
voice, and the culture that might be OBJ
! tanned for it. The open countenance soon
reflected the feeling Within and betrayed
tho great hope of the maidens heart.
Luther Marsdon had addressed her on the
subject of his proposed assistance through
his guide, Torgeir Rambery, not quite
trusting himself to hand c so complicated a
theme in the language of the country, in
which he was but beginning to orient him
eslf. What was his surprise when Helga
replied in the purest English
II thank you, sir. YoI mean well but
my mother would not permit me TO accept
money from a stranger even to pay for the
education | long to receive and she
strained the little clasped hands against the
the throbbing breast, and that plainly be-
tokened her food desire
He asked her where she hal learned his
language. 1t was from an English lady who
had summered in the vicinity for several
years with her son and WAC had given Eel
GA some instructions in music, besides
arousing in her wish for thorough music.
al training. The lady had proposed to fur
n,sh the money, but had not lived long
enough. Pear.y drops stood in Helga $
eyes. The lady had diei of consumption,
and she had helped nurse her.
Would not ths sJI give the help the
mother had plannedr' Luther Marsdon
asked.
Helga hung her head, coloring painfully.
HE was not respectful to mother and
me-" she faltered at length. 1--WE could ac-
cept nothing from him"
No furJher exp anation was needed
Would you not let me help youl" Luther
asked.
you seem different" said Helga, evas.
lively. But mother must decide"
This was the lightning. A few months
later we find Helga and her mother at
eimar, the former at the Conservatory OF
Music and studying with its famous vocal
teacher, Frau Won Milde. Dame Sylvfest
would not permit her daughter 10 go from
home alone, and her scruples about accept
ing ard were overcome by the assurance
that Helga carried in her throat a fortune
which in due course of time could readily
enable her 10 return all that was advanced.
Moreover, prompt application WAS made for
one Of those stipends Norway awards her
gifted sons and daughters as means of en-
abling them TO study abroad. 1t was OBJ.
tanned before the end oil the first year in
Germany, and ser led 10 defray at least a
portion OF the expenses incurred.
A change had come in the fortunes of
Luther Marsdon. Life had new interest
for him. He had been the means OF setting
one bright young being TO work; he, too,
longed to he at work once more He could
take no true satisfaction in wat hny helgsa'
career unless he was ccomoiishing some
thing himself He went toauo ono, od HE