The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-11

HUGH EASTWOOD SPEAKS.

The long schoolroom belonging to the
village church at Thorrell Moor was
filled from end to end with a merry
hearted and eXpectant throng consisting
oil pitmen and their good danes, pit
youths and their sweethearts, farmers
and their wives and daughters, shop
keepers and their families, and q
sprinkling OF the gentry of the district
to leaven the mass and and give a tone
OF distinction to the gathering.
The excuse for the assembly was the
congregational tea party held each year
in connection with the Thorrell Moor
Sunday School. Half an hour ago the
feaslers had quenChed their vigorous
appetites with many slices OF Currant
and seed bread, countless sandwiches OF
ham, beef, and tongue; and oceans of
weak tea. Then they had adjourned
while the room WAS being prepared for
the entertainment which formed con-
spicuous feature OF the evenings
doings.
The vicar of the parish, the Rev,
Matthew Madison, had Just delivered
his annual address. He was big,
rosy-iaced, farmer-looking fellow, with
genial manners and large heart, and
was well beloved OF his congregation
more on account OF his kindly nature
than because Of his preaching, which
was broad and charitable rather than
narrow and dogmatic
There was buzz OF expectation as
the cleric resumed his seat, for the en-
tertanment was to begin forthwith. A
small stage had been constructed at the
higher end OF the room, and immediate.
ly in front OF the platform were arranged
number OF chairs which were set
apart for the gentry and the perform
ers.
Conspicuous among the former were
Lady Carsland and her handsome
daughter, Cordelia, whom the vicar had
induced to grace his function" with
their presence. Besides the Carslands
were the wives and daughters OF several
small local landowners, solicitors, doc.
tors, vino counted it an honor to rub
shoulders, shake hands and exchange
small talk with person OF title.
Among the performers was Salome
Birmingham, neatly dressed in habit
OF some dark grey stuff, which fitted her
like glove, and became her wonder
fully we'll. She was down in the pro-
gramme for n couple Of sougs, and the
fact that this was to DO her first appear
ance in public accounted for the re-
strained excitement she was then labor
ing under.
Among the audience were many OF
Salome's friends and acquaintance, and
conspicuous among them were Nell
Crompton, Nan Blackledge, Hugh East
wood, and many other young miners,
and miner lassies from Marsh Green.
The dancing which was to be allowed
after the entertainment concluded prob
ably accounted for the presence OF many
OF them there.
Only yin two particulars did the "show"
differ from the usual Sunday School en-
tertanment. The neatly.attired young.
sters recited their lines, and chanted
their songs in the old spiritless mono
tone, so familiar to frequenters OF such
festivities, to the great delight Of the
childrens parents, who applauded the
youthful artists in vociferous fashion.
A hush OF expectation fell upon the
audience as Miss Cordelia Carsland left
her mothers side and Counted tho lit
tie platform. The young lady waS very
self-possessed, and she took her seat be-
fore the piano in stately manner
which did credit to her mothers train
ing, and spoke well Of the strength OF
her own nerves.
She ran her slender fingers lightly
over the white keys, and then her voice
rose in thin sweet volume us she sang
sentimental drawing room ditty in
great vogue at that time. Cordelia aC-
quilted herself well. Her notes were
accurately rendered, and II her style
was mechanical to u degree, the ma.
jority OF those who listened were too
uncritical TO take notice Of 1t.
Everyone clapped hands, and the
grown,up people told one another that
Miss Carsland was q beautiful singer.
If the younger folks did not think very
much OF her ladyship's daughter they
were afraid OF saying so, aud in the
matter Of bestnwing their plaudits they
wisely followed tho example set them
by their elders. Not to have applauded
the cold aud handsome child Of their
master woudhave appeared rank heresy
to most OF tho respectable pitmen and
their wives.
A minute latcr Salomo was facing the
audience, looking flushed and agitated,
but wonderfully beautiful. Tho accom-.
PIANIST had come back TO his stool and
was playing the Introductory music.
The frightened girl bit her lip as Il
annoyed ut herself and her dark starry
eyes swept over the little sea OF faces In
a rapid glance and afterwards were
lifted to the whitewashed Ioof.
Then she caught at note and began
to sing. The first few lines OF "The
Glpsy's Warning were intoned husk-
lily, almost brokenly, and the aspect
which spells failure was beginning ia
freeze itself on each face. But with IN
evident effort Salomo pulled herself
together and soon the low, shabby.
looking room was literally flooded with
Il rich, warm, softly.swelling stream Of
vocal music. Her voice was pure
soprano OF great compass; she sang
dramatically, passionately, icolingly, aa
il sho had projected her very soul into
the character Of tho betrayed gipay
maiden's parent, and when the last note
glidod from her red lips, n wave OF spon.
taneous applause which swept ovot
oven tho aristoCratiC chairs In front,
rang ollt,
Every nico indeed" said Lady Cars.
land, and those about her echoed hor
praise, only voicing II in warmer words,
The miners and thor women folk were
clappIng still and shouting Encore
Encorol but tho singer was already
back In her scat and had evidently no.
intention OF answering her recall"
"Who is tho glrl2" Lady Carsland
asked rather warmly, rs tho Vicar up.
preached in order to ask SalOmo 10