Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-10-18

The evening was we'll advanced when
Donald came back to eat his supper IN
the bare dining room, where ghosts OF
departed dinners walked In sundry
greasy smells. The landlady, passing
through the room, explained with severe
significance that, his supper having been
kept waiting so long, it was all as dry as
chips. Donald thought it might as well
have been chips indeed, so far as he was
concerned.
The guests of the establishment were
all gathered in the parlor, some sanguine
spirits having arranged musical ana
literary entertainment for the evening.
Promisi lg squeaks OF violin told the
audience that the instrument was being
tuned for their pleasure, and presently
the performer made them neat little
speech, in which he said that he very
much regretted that the piano upon
which no must depend for his accom-
paniment was three tones below con-
cert pitch, but on occasion like that he
thought it behooved each one to do his
part. regardless Of small drawbacks. He
did his manfully, and plunged the com
pany into the deepest gloom with the
''Miserere" from "Il Trovatore." When
the applause had subsidized, which was
somewhat unduly extended, owing to q
tendency on the part OF few good ma
tured people to encourage an encore,
which weakness had to be sternly
frowned down by those who had their
wits about them, the manager an
pounced that Miss Rose would favor
them with a ballad, Miss Rose was
pretty little maid just emerging from
the school girl chrysalis, who sang In
pretty little voice q pretty little waltz
song that delighted everybody. There
was no question about the encore this
time. and next they were informed that
Miss Berry would favor them with a
recitation.
This was she whom Gray had dubbed
the ANTIQUE young lady. She had never
permitted herself TO outgrow the coy,
bashful manner Of extreme youth. She
was sweetly coy now. She could not re-
cite before so many-she never could.
The audience in her vicinity did their
dntv like men and protested that they
couid not excuse her; she must give
them lust one little recitation. And,
TINS persuaded, she assumed tragically
lean AMI hungry lack and somewhat dis
iointed by reason Of sundrY lapses OF
recollection, gave them "LockSley Hall "
"And Miss Jones will now favor US
with a ballad" the beaming manager
announced, unctuously rubbing his
hands.
The lady referred to leaned further
back in her chair, slowly unfurling her
fan. while she said with languid seorn
that called a hot flush to the cheeks of
the little maid who had lately sung, 81
never sing ballads, Mr.. White"
but, really" protested the discom-
flied man, fairly upset by this rebuff, 81
thought you said you would sing some
thing?"
"Run right along, dear. We are all so
fond Of ballads" chimed in an old lady,
who. being somewhat deaf, had missed
the drift OF the talk and imagined her,
self called to encourage bashful timidity.
"Mrs. Jones was educated wholly in
the italian school," her husband ex-
planned, proudly glancing around the
~Weli. then, Mrs. Jones, would you
sing something 10 ltalisn?' begged Inc
manager reslgnedly.
Just give them bit OF opera, dear
est" urged the fond husband. The lady
rose condescen6ingly. THAT is her
forte-opera," he continued in loud
whisper to his nearest neighbor.
oWould you believe it at private con-
cert lately she sang sixteen pages Of
Norma without her notes."
SIS it possible?" calculated the other,
apprehensively cycling the lady, who was
vigorously screwing mp the piano stool.
"Sixteen pagesl Mighty Scott!" NUT
tered Gray. II think am going TO
have the nosebleed."
n "Often when get her to sing for me
in hotel parlors she is taken for q pro-
fessional singer" went on the compla-
cent confidence.
s'I suppose her style of dress"-mur-
INJURED the embarrassed confidsnte, feel
ing called to say something, but oppor-
tunesy stopping there. Mrs. Jones style
of dress was regarded By feminine
Judges as daringly loud and theatrical.
Eyes; you would suppose her style and
uanner--so quiet and retiring-would