Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-09-17
MahmcSown Fedeck County, Maryland Thursday September H. 1884,

of the Black Dwarf spectacular drama
every night, as one of the Nerelds, in a
silver robe all trimmed with glass wa
ter drops and sea grasses, with a stalk
of silver lilies in my hand, and I sing
and sing until 1t seems as if my whole
heart would go out with my voice. And
Signor Spalardi trains us two hour daily
and l have every day, except rehersals
and Saturdays, to practice, and
Isaiah Blake had dropped his news
paper his whole face hardened like a
block of some coarse grained wood his
turbid black eyes blazed.
Stop" said he, in tone that made
everybody start. Lei me understand
all this. Is 1t a theayter where you re
a.makin' all this money, Bessie 2
Yes, father; but
I don t want to hear no buts,' sternly
spoke the old man, as he flung the gold
piece on the floor. Il won't touch no
money as was earned that way. You,
Blake, Bessie What spell has come
over you ?
But you don't understand, father,
pleaded the girl, clasping her hands.
They are all so nice and pleasant, and
Signor Spalardi has daughters of his
own in the chorus, and Mrs. Royston
takes me to the theater and brings me
back with her every night
I don't care !! almost shreikel Isaiah
Blake You must either leave this
place or be no daughter of mine.
Father, appealed Bessie, come to
New York with me. See the place and
people for yourself. / am sure
I'D as soon step across the threshold
Of perdition !! grimIy uttered the farm
cr. I sent you to New York to sing in
the choir of a godly church, not to
swagyer across the stage of theayter,
dressed in gaudy folder rolls, with a
stalk O silver lilies IN your hands !!
You've done a wicked and sinful thing,
and you must undo lido you hear ::
Must =
Yes, father
Bcssios head dropped like a broken
flower.
'Take back this money to the place
it came from, and tell 'tm you II touch
no more Of their gold and silver.
Yes, father
'Anl if yon can't earn a living in
New York as living should be earned
come back here and help your mother
with the poultry and butter. Do you
hear. l say
Yes, father"
She went upstairs to bed, crying and
sobbing as if her heart would break.
Later IN the nl9nt she heard Il SOFT
football on the threshold.
Mother, is that you? 2 she faltered.
Yes, Bessie, it's me- whispered Mrs.
Blake. fondling her daughters little
hand. I had to wait till father was
asleep. Oh Bessie, I'm so sorry.
30 you think was so wrong, moth
er?
No. danghter-no. But father was
brought up among the B!akes, you
know, and they look at thinks different
from what we do. And there's only
one thing for you to do, Bessie. He's
your father and you must obey ?
Then and there poor Bessie gave up
her ar castles of being one day chief
soprano of an opera company, the prima
donna of glitterng stages, her notes
valued by gold pieces, her footsteps
wreathed in flowers.
No one but herself knew what it cost
her, but she resolved to forego them all.
Slgnor spalardi listened coldly.
Child said he, are you in earnest Z
Do you know that you are committing
suicide. SO far as your future is con-
cerucd p
yes, signor. But 1T is my father 5
will
lie would prefer that you sang in II
church 2
Yes, signor.'
Good" Spalardi shrugged his shoul.
ders. These Puritan papa'H-there Is
no accounting for them. Yet think |
can please him. | know reverend dl.
rector that wants clear, well trained
soprana-like yours, my child. will
see him. But perhaps you better not
tell him that you haye sung IN "The
Black Dwarf" Church directors are
Puritanical, too, at times! he added
grimly.
Bessie Blake's heart begnn to beat
high with new hope.
Her voice was so much to her To
abandon it's cultivation YVES almost like
abandoning her life.
Mr.. Fotheryngham Folliott conde-
cnnnlnl To annrnvr the CleAr. blrUllk