The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-24

SHE FACED A SEA OF UPTURNED FACES.
| Then, with one last pressure of her
mothers hands, the singer glided for
ward and faced the sea of upturned
faces.
From the first tremulous notes
through all to the hush that fell upon
the audience as they leaned forward
forgetting that the singer had ceased,
the mother, leaning forward III her
chair with tightly cIasped hands and
lips apart, breathlcssly followed each
curve and bend of that dearly famil-
iaT voice, knowing that her chlds puri-
ty of life, her trials and her joys had all
helped TO give her this power over her
audience.
A wave of sound foated to them
that thrilling sound of the clapping Of
thousands of hands.
Away from it the singer turned
toward the figure in the invalid chair.
AS the audience Slowly wound its way
out, commenting upon and praising the
singer, a narrow-chested man with a
set ring on a slightly wrinkled right
hand remarked to his companion as he
u
BY Jove. that singer looked like lit
tie girl who used to be in Duh office
years ago. I'm suah Duh Mistah Brown
would say So
At last all was over. In the gray of
the early morning the coach containing
the singer and her mother rolled away
from the Auditorium.
They were both silent, busy with
their thoughts, for their return to Chi
cago had revived many memories Of for
mer struggles.
At last the mother said: Daughter,
do you know this is the commencement
Of Thanksgiving day? How much we
both have for which to give thanks to-
day and always, haven't we?"
AS Margaret did not reply, her moth
er laid her hand on her arm and said,
gently: Il know how thankful you are
that your ambitious dream has come
true, but the thought often comes to
me, my child, are you happy?"
And Margaret answered, thoughtfully:
Yes, there is much for which | am
truly thankful. The world says | can
sing to them, and you have been spared
are shadows in the picture, they are
east perhaps by the musical heights yet
unclimbed.
is your music-box happy? l wonder
if she is. With such a mother and sue
cessful music-box in her throat she
ought to be, gifted creature,
And yet you know, mother mine: If
none were sick and none were sad,
what service could we render?' | think,
and so should you, if we were always
glad we scarcely could be tender"
Then they were silent.
In a few minutes Margaret began to
laugh (and to hear Margaret laugh was
pleasant thing.) She said: Now,
mamma, you know you object to a music
al husband. Well, | don't know but l
do myself. Often they are not promis-
ing, | admit.
"a real musician with brains, one
who thinks thoughts, who has a tenn
permanent, is of this world, yet hears
unheard melodies, etc, etc. Is that it?
Do you imagine that's the sort of a SON
in-law to make your daughter happy?
Well since 50 many good things have
come our way let us be thankful for
them. If you are longing for a musical
son-in-law doubtless he viii come sing
ing along the road that leads to to-mor-
row or some day.
Now, there's Bruno Oscar, the IA
mous''-added Margaret, teasingly-
But the rest. after the mothers pro-
testing "Oh, Margaret.' was lost as
the door closed behind them.
JENNY FAIRMAS SMITH.