St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-09-14

made was hardly more than a timid
nod. For a moment she stood with
her hands clasped in front of her.
A look OF fear came into her ewes
while the opening measures of her
accompaniment were being PLAYED.
1t was an expression OF pleading en-
barrassment. The accompanist wait
ed and then played the prelude
again. Still the girl stood silent :;
she had forgotten the words of her
song.
The frightened pupil was about to
leave the stage when her teacher who
was playing turned and softly sang
the first words. Meanwhile the au-
dience sat patiently enduring.
What imposition upon peoples
good nature" exclaimed one of the
two music teachers who had already
tried to make their escape"
A look of relief came into the eyes
OF the embarrassed girl. The blood
surged back into her face. Forget
ting all else, she looked straight out
before her and began. All at once
a change came over the entire au-
dience. There was that deep hush
which betokens breathless attention.
Many who had retired to the lobby
returned to the doors and listened.
The eyes of the singer seemed to
be looking far away into some dis
tant country as she sang Love not
the World" The words and melody
flowed out with the freedom with
which a stream ripples along its bed.
There was a depth of feeling and
devotion in her singing Of this sim
pie song which many who were
present had never heard equalled.
The air seemed to throb and vi
brate with melodious eutreaty.
There came to the mind of one of the
two waiting music teachers at that
moment the long-forgotten words
of the old German hymn, "Gott
rufet nocb:
God calling yet l cannot stay;
My heart yield without delay;
Vain world farewell from thee part
The voice of God hath reached my heart.
The pleading, wonderful notes OF
the unknown singer bore on their
notes the words, But he that doeth
the will of God abideth forever,
abideth forever" AS these last
words were sung the singer became
radiant in the glorious prophecy oil
her song. The stiffness in the room
was profound. At first it seemed
like sacrilege to applaud but in
another moment hundreds, by a
common impulse, rose to their feet
all over the house, clapping their
hands and crying, Bravo"
There were critics present, who
had come, not from inclination, for
they expected no good performance
from beginners, but out of courtesy
to the faculty of the musical school
These critics had many times heard
the greatest of singers; but never
before had they seen such ar
effect as this produced upon any au
dience by the human voice. Anc
these critics were standing on Their
feet, too, applauding and cheering
while the tears ran down theil
cheeks.
The pure, intense soul of the singer
had combined with marvellous gift
to produce that "fervent voice, " only
found in its perfection when Joined
with fervent soul.
The girl, astonished and frightened
at the effect of her singing, merely
bowed in her timid way at the per
sistent applause and disappeared
Next day her musical instructor
called upon her in delight. He saw
a brilliant future of public singing
before her.
"And now" he said, what are
your plans?" "Why, l have nc
plans" she said, except to keep or
with my music as l have time. My
desire is to do what good can with
my voice.
What !" he exclaimed involuntar
lily, you will of course go on the
operate stage? You have fortune
in your voice and your dramatic
power"
NO." she said simply, Il did not
learn to sing to make money. Ny
duty is here at home. My ambition
is to sing that may, if possible
give pleasure and do good. But
should never enjoy singing to fash
ionable audiences-it all came to mt
the other night. If l can sing in my
own church and to the sick ant
poor, it will bring me all the salts
faction that l want"
Mary Lane suddenly fonnd hersel
famous among musicians. Excellent
offers were made to her by operate
managers. She was asked agar
and again to name her own terms
but all these offers were firmly ant
modestly declined.
Men who were familiar with al
the elegancies of life, and accustom
ed to the attention of people il
many countries, went up that grass
grown walk to knock at the door O
this farmhouse.
Everyone was received by TIL
young singer with shyness il