Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-11
Daily - eagle
MUSIC HATH CHARMS.

not make much difference in our hom,
life.
They were an aunt, Mrs. Morton, ant
her niece, Miss Emily Ives, and strang'
contrast they made in both appearance
and demeanor. Miss Ives was shroudeC
in the deepest Of mourning costumes
and heavy black Grape veil completely
concealed her features. She was not {
widow. That [ knew, because in writ
ing to engage the rooms Mrs. Morton
had called her niece Miss" and hac
furthermore added that she had sustained
the loss of friend which had thrown
her into state Of almost hopeless mel
anchoia; that Mrs. Morton's object in
seeking country place SO far from New
York as the Genesee valley was in the
hope Of effecting an entire change OF
scene and thought for her afflicted niece.
Mrs. Morton joined us at our little rus.
tic board, but Miss Ives took her meals
in her room, refusing to cross the sill OF
her door.
My curiosity was piqued.
SIS she ILL.," inquired of mother one
day.
''Oh, no." said mother, 'tshe is in per-
feet health; but when Mrs. Morton urges
her to come out with her and see the
beautiful scenery, she says that the sight
of nature, no matter how lovely, is hate
full to her."
''Mrs. Morton says that, unless some
thing is done to arouse Miss Ives from
her lethargy, she is afraid that she will
go melancholy n,ad-and, Godfrey, I've
been thinking that you may be able to
do something to arouse her."
81, motheri' / exclaimed, starting.
"What could I possibly do to arouse
her, as you call it?'
My mother replied to my question:
"What could you do? why, you could
play and sing"
This was startling proposition, even
though was conceded to be the best mu-
stefan and to have the finest tenor voice
in all the Genesee valley.
''But, mother" 1 said, show can l,
who am nothing but an uncultivated
country pumpkin, sing before an accom-
plished musician, as l am sure Miss Ives
must be-"
Before she sank into this dull and
dreadful state of dependency, Miss Ives
was passionately fond of music-espe-
cially sacred music, but she will never
listen to a note now if she can help it.
Mrs. Morton and have talked it all over;
told her that you have the kind of a
sympathetic voice that would melt the
heart Of stone, and she is very anxious
that you should try the experiment.
Il don't ask you to sing before her;
but this afternoon Mrs. Morton and are
going out. When we are gone, you sit
down to the piano and sing some of those
touching things you know so well how to
sing"
When the ladies were well out of the
way sat down to the piano, and very
softly began singing some quaint, old
fashioned and plaintive hymns. Between
each one paused awhile, fully expecting
a peremptory message from Miss Ives
for me to stop. None came, and after a
while fancied that heard light foot
step overheard.
Evidently Miss Ives had risen from the
sofa upon which she lay constantly. Was
she coming in person to rebuke me for
my temerity? My heart beat high with
fear-and hope.
With my whole soul in my task rap
idly glided into the old, old hymn of
Jordan"
As the last words, "There is rest for
me-" died away, the door slowly opened
and there advanced towards me being
who seemed TO me an angel, SO fair was
she. | had never seen her face until
now, but that figure I could never mis-
take.
1t was Emily Ives who stood before
me, with eyes upturned as if entranced.
Sing, sing those words again." she
Low almost as her own voice | sang:
I have builded me mansion
That eternally shall stand,
And my stay will not be transient
In that fair and happy land;
On the other side of Jordan,
In the fsir fields of Eden,
There is rest for the weary
There is rest for ME.
'In the grave only there is rest" she
sighed, sinking YEARLY into a chair;
speaking to herself she seemed, and I'M
observant of my presence.
spoke no word, but followed up the
l had gained by softly striking
into Herrick's Prayer for Comfort"
When the hoard of many years.
Like a feet cloud disappears
And the futures full of fears,
Saviour, Saviour, comfort mel
When the secret idols gone
That my poor heart yearned upon,
pesolate, bereft, alone
Saviour, Saviour, comfort me,
The effect was most unexpected. At
the conclusion of the hymn she spranc
10 her feet with look of amazement.
almost of indignation.
How came you, stranger" she de-
imperiously, Ito know my sto-
~"
Ives astonished in my turn, but replied
,almly:
81 know nothing of your story, Miss
ives"
Then, how came y6I to choose a
hymn to fit il SO exactly? All! j see! Ny
aunt has told you"
"Your aunt has told me nothing, / as
sure you, Miss Ives; but it is easy to see
hat you are unhappy. and / selected !
hymn that hoped might comfort you"
Il understand" she replied, sitting at
he side Of the piano. Il thank you for
-FOUR sympathy; and since have be-
.rayed that 1 have story-wil you
near it,"
"Gladly-most gladly" I answered,
nwardly rejoicing that, by an accident
u the choice of hymn, had induced