Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-30
HOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN MUSIC

I'm tired OF being nobody" said Ella
Wilson, at the close Of a stormy March
| day, as she sat close beside Aunt Eva,
looking out at the country road, so muddy
as to be almost impossible. 81 am tired,
| auntie. What chance has a country girl
like me, who can only go to the district
school, where the common branches are
taught, and nothing else? l love music,
painting and many nice things, which l
can't even dream OF learning. 1t makes
me feel dreadfully sad, when / see young
girls of my own age play beautifully,
while l can't"
"There's no money in this house for ex-
tras," continued Ella, sadly.
My dear little girl, let auntie tell you
of the early days of her friend, the organ
ist of the Y. church and popular teacher
whose music delights you SO much. first
knew her when healthy, happy farmers
girl, who liked to work outdoors, but
liked better to play the wheezy melodeon,
which was almost past usefulness. In
struction was not to be thought of, as
money was scarce article in that house :;
but Lora one evening made up her mind to
study alone, and with an aim. sPll master
the rudiments of music said she to her
self, with the aid of good, plain in
structor, and Pll practice faithfully until
| can myself teach and earn the money to
buy mother some help
"The much-needed new dress, with gloves
and ribbons, could not be INDUCED in, as it
took money to get the needed instructor
and music. A kind friend helped to get
good but cheap music, which made the
battle easier. The hard places came; even
careful study and much practice didn't ad-
vance the careful student as she desired,
and how shabby she felt when mingling in
the company of neatly dressed young
friends. She said TO me: / think the
tramp of mothers tired feet, and the pain
of seeing her lifting heavy kettles about,
spurred me on to greater efforts. Then
the pleasure father and my young brothers
took in listening to my musical efforts
more than repaid me for my work
1t wasn't many months before Lora had
the opportunity of giving lessons, as the
cabinet organs began to grace country
homes, and our student found it pleasant
work to ride the pony and make her rounds.
Constant reviewing made the first -ssons
in music very familiar, and with the aid
an accomplished musical friend gladly
gave her, Lora rapidly developed into a
good teacher.
" You know of her present ability, and
that she is gladly welcomed into the most
brilliant society. Many girls have had
much money spent upon their musical edu-
cation, all for no purpose, proving that we
are not all cut Out for the same thing, and
that the elements of success are in the boy
or girl who starts out to win or lose and
not in their surroundings.
Indeed, Ella, country girls have adj
vantages which city ones have not.
While city girls and boys have the privi-
lege of hearing the very best music
rendered by the best talent, there is often
more time spent in going to concerts,
operas, etc, and in listening than in
study
The long winter evenings are splendid,
and count for something when spent in
earnest application to the object selected.
Then the quiet of the country is another
help as where there are so many things
going on, we are apt to want to take
hand
with the farm boy or girl, who can't
afford teachers, ETC., and yet has the desire
to learn music, there is no need to not do
IL. Good organs are cheap, there are in
structors very plain and easily mastered,
and there are also some fine selections of
music to be had cheap. All may not 90 to
Europe to further their musical studies,
and many may not be able, if they had the
means to go, and did go, to, on their re-
turn, charm into silence this busy, bust
ling America, but they may derive a great
deal of heartfelt satisfaction from their
music. Mother loves her favorite hymn
softly played, and joins in with Jesus,
Lover of Ny Soul : father always speaks
for "A Charge to Keep l Have while
little brother Bob asks for Red, White |
and Blue aad sometimes will join in
with Annie Laurie'-all dear old favor
vorites, which cheered countless tired and
and heart-sick folks, and have not yet
grown old"
With Aunt Eva, we say: Brighten up
the home. II it is an isolated one, and |
the winters storms shut out the busy
world if you have any liking for music,
learn to make it on Jews harp, mouth
organ. banjo, ACCORDION, guitar, bones, or
organ. Choose your instrument, if that
is possible, but mind one point-life is too
short to practice without some aim or pur-
pose The idle, careless or Indifferent
student never accomplishes anything
worth listening to-Ela Guernsey in Prairiic
Farmer.