Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-22
CirCUmStaHtial-..-
Evidence !
BY MARY e. sTIcKNEY.

audience that the instrument was being
| tuned for their pleasure, and presently
| the performer made them a neat little
speech, in which he said that he very
much regretted that the piano upon
which he must depend for his accompani-
ment was three tones below concert pitch,
but on an occasion like that he thought
it behOoved each one to do his part, re-
gardlcss of small drawbacks He did his
manfully, and plunged the company into
the deepest gloom with the "Miserere"
from al Trovatore." When the applause
had subsidized, which was somewhat I'M
duly extended, owing to a tendency on
the part of n few good natured people to
encourage an encore, which weakness
had to be sternly frowned down by those
| who had their wits about them, the
manager announced that Miss Rose
would favor them with ballad. Miss
Rose was pretty little maid just emerg-
ing from the school girl chrysalis, who
sang in n pretty little voice 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
duty like men and protested that they
could not excuse her; she must give
them just one little recitation. And,
thus persuaded, she assumed tragically
lean and hungry look and somewhat dis
jointedly by reason of sundry lapses of
recollection, gave them "Locksley Hall"
"And Mrs. Jones will now favor US
with ballad" the beaming manager
announced unctuously rubbing his
hands.
The lady referred to leaned farther
back in her chair, slowly unfurllng her
fan, while she said with languid scorn
that called hot flush to the cheek of the
little maid who had lately sung Il never
sing ballads, Mr.. White"
But, really" protested the discomfit-
ed man, fairly upset by this rebuff, Il
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 en-
planned, proud glancing around the
company
"Well, then, Mrs. Jones, would you
sing something in Italian:" begged the
manager resignedly.
Just give them bit of opera, dear
est" urged the fond husband. The lady
rose condescendingly That is her forte
opera" he continued, in loud whis-
per to his nearest neighbor. Would
you believe it at Il private concert lately
she sang sixteen pages of Norma without
her notes"
rs it possible:' calculated the other,
apprehensively eying the lady, who was
vigorously screwing up the piano stool
Sixteen pages! Mighty Scott! NUT
tered Gray. II think | am going to
| have the nosebleed."
"Often when get her to sing for me
in hotel parlors she is taken for a pro-
fessional singer. went on the complacent
confidence.
Il suppose her style of dress muir
INJURED the embarrassed contidante, feel
ing called to say something, but oppor-
tunely stopping there. Mrs. Jones' style
of dress was regarded Is llminine judges
as daringly loud and theatrical,
Yes; you would suppose her style and
manner-so quiet and retiring-would
contradict such ideas. There is nothing
| professional about her appearance, but it
is her voice" with bhssful complacency
Il think her voice will astonish YOU"
There could be no question but that
everybody was astonished at the voice,
and, incidentally, before they had done
with it, at their own powers of endurance.
Bravo, bravo, my dear" cried the
happy partner of the voice, when at last
| the performance came to an end, and
people mad leave to breathe again.
But what was the song all about?'
sharply demanded the old lady of her
neighbor.
why, we don't exactly know, you
know" uncomfortably responded the
youth addressed. at was Italian, you
know"
"Um| contemptuously rctorted the
aged cynic, in a loud whisper, disap-
pointed about the ballad II reckon it's
just as we'll we don't know. When folks
sing in foreign tongue it generally looks
to me like a pretty sure sign that it is
some nasty stuff they wouldn't dare speak
out if anybody could understand it,"
Mrs. Jones would respond to no encore.
st is too much for her in this altitude, "
said her husband decidedly, while every
body blessed him for the saving solicit
tude. And then the gentleman of the
violin, who dearly loved the sound of his
own voice, came forward and said that
his friends had insisted upon his giving
them a recitation. He had been taken
wholly by surprise. Had he known in
time, he would have been glad to prepare
something especially for the occasion.
Under the circumstances, however, he
had simply been forced to draw upon his
memory; and he trusted to the kindness
of his friends to remember that any little
faults which might mar his efforts should