New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-07-15
" CHAPTER XLIII,
THE RULING PASSION.

her be, my good Stocker. Nonsense!
proper, indeed! it's perfectly refresh
ing to find such a bit of downright
naturalness. Sing? to be sure will,
you blessed little brownie, or what
ever you may be-for human child I
never saw like you in my life. There,
just close that window, please, Stock
er; | need not beatty all the good
folks OF your neighborhood with my.
quaverings'' i &: r.. -. \ 81.
So the gay Madame Annina ran on,
as she threw back her mantle, and,
loosening her bonnet strings, prepared
to crafty the request OF the child,
which, with all her efforts, she had,
apparently, been unable to Withhold,
that the lady wonld "sing.'' 81:
In more subdued fashion, and with
less display OF her favorite trills and
roulades, the good-natured singer re-
peated the very air which had charm
ed thefancy OF the girl some weeks be-
fore at the theatre-where, as
the greatest favor, Tom had
been permitted to escort her
under the care of Mrs. Stocker.
Nelly, since the terrible shock Of that
visitation of her husbands appari-
ton, never could be persuaded to al
low herself the indulgence; but she
yielded to the representations of her
child's well-wisher, that it was hard
one should be deprived of the few
| amusements which were obtainable in
her monotonous life; and, though
against her own desire, permitted Ida
to accompany them.
1t was q study, to any who had
seen it, the child's face while the song
was sung. Every sense seemed CEN
tered in the faculty of listening; with
dilated eyes shegazed upon the lady,
her parted lips and heaving chest APP
peared to pant with the desire to
burst forth in imitation, and at those
passages, more especially, where she
had herself failed, she inwardly mark
ed the difference, and seemed longing
for the instant trial for improvement.
Finally, as the close of the melody,
approached, she drew nearer, impelled
by some irresistible impulse, till her
hand lightly touched the dress of the
lady, as if by actual contact she might
hope to gain some portion Of the di-
vine aff1atus OF that talent which her
young soul was beginning to adore
AS the lastlong-drawnn notes ceased,
she took a deep breath, almost sigh,
but she never thanked the lady who
had so singularly obliged her, nor
made any demonstration Of her de-
light.
Mrs stocker FASTENED to supply the
omission.
"Well, Idly, you should thank Ma.
| dame Annina- Pm sure you've been
honored-and so fond OF singing as
you are haven't you aword to say?'
"Let her be, my good Stocker," said
madame, who indeed, was at that
moment enjoying a tribute to he1
powers as delightful as it was rare
! She had marked the rapt, devout
attention, the intensity Of admirine
| wonder, that was almost worship
kindlingin those most expressive feat
ures; she felt the thrilling touch Of the
tiny hand upon hers; saw that as the
dark eyes were raised, in answer tC
Mrs. Stocker's admonition, they
beamed with a new light which might
have lain latent in those quiet depths
i but which had now awakened anC
spoke more eloquently than any
words could have domestic saw anc
could interpret all alright.
'.Let her be-" she said again; 81
know, I know, my fairy" as the CIR
opened her lips to speak; "no thanks
no thanks! You love singing, don't
you? and so do I. Will you give me E
glass OF water, Stocker? No, no, thanh
you-nothing else-a glass of water
pleased Will Ida get timer" as the
willing little creature sprang to he1
feet, and anticipated the woman il
hurrying with a jug from the room.
''That is a. remarkable child" sht
continued; :'where didy pick her up
Stocker?' =
The latter told her briefly.
"She is worth looking after,' Mad
anne Annina went on. "You don't oft
en- meet with IL child with such an ear
let alone the voice. And did she strin|
these pearls::' looking at the work up
on which Ida had been employed.
eyes; and indeed, madame, that il
nothing towhat- is the handiest lit
tie mite ever Icame across" said Ida'
employer, as she proceeded to exhibit
further specimens of her small assist
ants skill, for Stocker was wholly fre
OF the awe which elsewhere "hedged'
the presence of the famous singer
whose employ she had years agt
quilted to become Mrs. Stocker, Will
| whom she had been ever a favorite
:, and to whose patronage she owed he
present employment: .. -.s.r-. :.
Then a committee Of taste sat upol
certain points connected with som
costumes for characters, in which tn
madame was to appear, she bein
, particular in the slightest detailsrel
{ ing to such matters-like a wise WON
an, leaving not one to chance: am
keenly aware how much may depen
upon some SO small as TO be too ofte
neglected.
), ut is all very well, she would say
''it may not be noticed being there
!, yet the want OF it. though even no
recognized in itself, must affect tn
whole. I grant it cannot make, yet
may mar; and the mere fact of feelin
that allis as it should be, gives on