The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-11-19

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''Thinl1ingw Mr.. Groovelet-the ma
chine-looked at her in a puzzled, com
miserating sort of way, as he carefully
dipped his red penholder into the rec
ink and returned 10 his figuring.
At last the clocks long finer pointed
downward to six and the short finger
hurried along and posed between the V
and VI. The scene changed. Down
went the pensl The clicking of the
typewriters ceased. Machinery and ma
chimes all stopped
Quietly Miss Quivey walked into the
laaies, toilet room. where the group OF
stenographers were noisily talking
''shop' wondering who would get the
next raise and If "his royal nibs"
would give them a ''yacashe."
Out and away from it all walked the
young girl. humming as she hurried
down the street 90 the doorway marked
Entrance to the Elevated" Up the
stairs she ran, running scale at the
same time in ,ow, sweet uudertone,
each step a tone to her music-loving
fancy She was soon in the train. On
on, on whiZzed the elevated down
alleys and past the back windows OF
houses of all sorts and conditions. On,
on 20 where IT was stiller and rents
were cheaper.
At last our pretty little music-box
left the elevated and, walking quickly
down street, was soon climbing more
stairs in fiat building Up, up she
went, not humming now, but going
softly down the hall and into a room at
the end.
Margaret Quivey was Scotch-Irish.
American. Born of musical family on
both sides, small wonder that her soul
vibrated to all melody. Her mother
had sung always it seemed to Margaret,
with the ease of bird The father had
been an organist in their home town
and a musical composer. He had rec
ognized Margaret's gift and always
called her his little mhsic-box. He died
without the means to show his precious
little music-box bow to use her gift.
After the fathers death, Margaret
and the mother turned their faces to-
ward Chicago.
The mother gave piano lessons at the
conservatory, but overworix caused
nervous prostration, and it now became
Margaret's duty to care for the mother
They struggled on together. One of
the professors At the conservatory had
heard Margaret sing and said: ''Go to
Costello. the tenor"
So Margaret went daily TO the Office
TO help her on her way to Costello.
How she struggled How much the
lessons of all sorts cost herl wealthy
colored family lived some blocks away.
Margaret gave their little boy singing
lessons in the early mornings, before
she went to the Office.
She practioed nights, her mother
playing her accomplishments.
Lately an advertisement had appeared
in one of the leading dailies. Want
ed: A position as soloist in a church
choir; a soprano voice sweet and sym
pathetic"
Margaret's teacher told her she had
worth twenty-five dollars a Sunday, SO
he had written the advertisement for
her. Day after day passed and no an
swer came.
The night on which Margaret had
come back from the days weary grind
at the Office. her mother held up let
ter with smile, saying: "Perhaps IL Is
good news, daughter, for 1t looks like
Ferdinand Costello's writing"
1t was good news, for II said:
Come TO my rooms at your lunch
hour tomorrow and sing for Rev. J. c.
Gilbert and the musical committee of
his church IL you suit them, the po-
sition Of soloist in their choir will be
yours. remain, Yours respectfully,
"FERDINAND COSTELLO"
She went The pastor was a music |
lover and music connoisseur She sang. |
The last sweet sound died away, and |
there was stiffness in the room broken |
at last by the low-toned voices of the
and the pastor.
II seemed an age TO the ambitious
little singer leaning against the piano
before the minister took her hand in his
and said:
"We feel that your voice will be a
power for good among our people. We
want YOU"
SO Margaret took one step up.
There was a little ripple OF excite
ment the next day at the Office when
Miss Quivey walked up TO the general
managers desk and told him she was
about To leave.
Mr. Groovelct looked after her won
leringly as she walked out of that most
wonderful of places, "ouh office"
The years marched steadily on. Toll,
ng, studious, climbing, struggling
'ears TO Margaret. IL was up hill all
'he way 20 the singer.
Wider experience and broader cul-
ure were now hers.
The mother in the invalid chair had
ourneyed 10y her side through these
ears OF study abroad. Costello the
,enor had advised and directed and
never lost sight Of her
Then came dark days when the moth
r seemed 10 be slipping away before
Margaret's dream was realized.
When those davs wefs, past, there came