The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-08-09

book.
No one spoke to the little girl at table
d'hote, but for all that she enjoyed her
dinner and gave her serious attention to
all the courses Being thus solely occu-
pied, she had not much leisure to bestow
on the conversation Of the other guests.
Nor was IL specially original. Il treated
Of the shortcomings Of the chef, the taste
lessness of the soup, the toughness of the
beef and all the many failings which 60 to
complete mountain hotel dinner But
suddenly, SO it seemed to the girl, this
time honored talk passed into another
phase. She heard the word music men
toned, and she became at once interested
to learn what these people had to say on
a subject which was dearer to her than
any other
''For my own part, said stern look
ing old man, Il have no words to describe
what a gracious comfort music has been
to me all my life. 1t Is the noblest Ian
guage which man understands and speaks,
and l sometimes think that those who
know it, or know something of it, are able
at rare moments to find an answer to life's
perplexing problems. +"
The little girl looked up from her plate.
Robert Browning's words rose to her lips,
but she did not give them utterance:
God has a few of us whom he whispers in the
ear.
The rest may reason, and welcome; tits we
musicians know.
II have lived through long life, - said
another elderly man, land have therefore
had my share of trouble, but the grief of
being obliged to give up music was the
grief which held me the longest, or which
perhaps has never left me. Istill crave for
the gracious pleasure of touching once
more the strings of avioloncello and hear
ing the dear, tender voice singing and
throbbing and answering even to such poor
skill as mine. l still yearn to take my
part In concerted music and be one OF those
privileged to play Beethoven string quar-
tets. But that will have to be in another
incarnation, think"
He glanced at his shrunken arm, and
then, as though ashamed of this allusion
to his own personal infirmity, he added
hastily
"But when the first pang of such pain
is over there remains the comfort of being
listener AT first one does not think it
comfort, but as time goes on there is no
resisting its magic influence. And Lowell
said rightly that one of Gods greatest
charities is music.
Keith" said an English lady. ''You have
never before spoken of music"
perhaps not, madam" he answered.
lone does not often speak of what one
cares for most of all. But when am in
London / rarely miss hearing our best
players.
AT this point others joined in, and the
various merits of eminent pianists were
warmly discussed.
'What wonderful name that little
English lady has made for herself!" said
the major. who was considered an author
ity on all subjects. II would go anywhere
to hear Miss Thyra Flowerdew. We all
ought to be very proud of her. She has
taken even the German musical world by
storm, and they say her recitals at Paris
have been brilliantly successful. / myself
have heard her at New York, Leipsic, Lon
don Berlin and even Chicago"
THE little girl stirred uneasily in her
chair.
II don't think Miss Flowerdew has ever
been to Chicago" she said.
There was dead silence. The admirer
of Miss Thyra Flowerdew looked much an
noyed and twiddled his watch chain. He
had meant to say Philadelphia, but he did
not think it necessary to own to his mis-.
take.
"What impertinence!' said one of the
ladies to Miss Blake. What can she know
about it? Is she not the young person
who tuned the piano?'
perhaps she tunes Miss Thyra Flower
dew's piano." suggested Miss Blake in a
loud whisper.
You are right, madam" said the little
girl quietly. II have often tuned Miss
Flowerdew's piano"
There was another embarrassing silence,
and then lovely old lady whom every one
reverenced came to the rescue.
II think her playing is simply superb"
she said. Nothing that ever hear sat
isfies me so entirely. She has all the ten
derness Of an angels touch"
Listening to her, said the major, who
had now recovered from his annoyance at
being interrupted, "one becomes uncon-
scious of her presence, for she is the music
itself. And that Is rare. 1t Is but seldom
nowadays that we are allowed to forget
the personality of the player. And yet her
personality is an unusual one. Having
once seen her it would not be easy to for
get her. l should recognize her anywhere.
As he spoke he glanced at the little tun-
er and could not help admiring her digni-
neQ cOmpOSure under circumstances which
might have been distressing to any one,
and when she rose with the others he fol-
lowed her and said stiffly:
II regret that was the indirect cause
Of putting you in an awkward position"
1T is really of no consequence, she
said brightly. If you think was imper-
tinent, ask your forgiveness. did not
mean to be officious. The words were
spoken before was aware Of them"
She passed into the salon, here she
found quiet corner for herself and read
some of the newspapers. No one took the
slightest notice of her, not a word was
spoken to her, but when she relieved the
company of her presence her impertinence
was commenced on.
II am sorry that she heard what said" ="
remarked Miss Blake "But she did not
seem to mind These young women who
go out into the world lose the edge of their
sensitiveness and femininity. have al
ways observed that"
How much they are spared thenr an
swered some one.
Meanwhile the little girl slept soundly
She had merry dreams and finally woke up
Cha T..