New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22

pvssi"ie, th, Ma' verv precious to some Of his
children. Was it possible that he nau 81 nthar
precious thing to me! Wn va s;nainr9 It was
from her that had inherited my voice '"ous.
mine was stronger and better III go tho"gbt
WHY had mother often said that sne e ,ao" 81.
.nusical gift was dangerous sI, pu.
father used to assert, with his laugh tnat
"Serissy hadn't much hard sense. anyway.
serissy was as full of dreams n notions as an
egg was full of meat. -, ..ood
leaning against the casing. She was sta stan ns
thus when I took my hands from my lace an, n
timidly looked at her l was timio pecausr en-
seemed superhuman to me just at tiat "o''
without turning her head, she aeKeu'
Did you like t?" ,oo,,
Like it?" repeated, as soon as cou'u spe"N'
as that the way you sing In pupHc .oso,
"Sometimes: but sometimes I'm just WOODEN
machine"
you can't be wooden
Cant I? How do you know? $40, H..
she turned now quickly, toward me win ina,
manner which had been hers wnen sn ,,, , ,,ou
stopped at my home. the mafher tl,a. tu' 80
at ease and somehow gave stimulus W go! =.
mind NV spirits began TO be released anu "
flow toward her. 49,, oid.
Instead Of answering her question, said'
II shall never sing like that. ,, c,,o
Not like that-better, she fesP"nueu. CT
smiled at me- but her face was very sa u ~.
spite OF her smile. YES. better You VIII nav
ali nv high notes and you will have more
nowerfu lower register Notwithstanding tne
furore they make about soprano volce, IL -
the lower tones that move one most nat noi,u
ness that profusion is decoration ana ueoor"-
tion In any kind Of art never surs tne ueP'"o
But YOU move the soul" l could not speak
clearly. , 1890 u,o h,ood
'"Oh yes: know it, And it's my ~, Ire s,, niooa
that does It, and every time you oiier such Il
libatjon as thot you are just so much impoVer-
ished." 81,
did not understand her. but would not ask
what she meant had feeling. however, that
one might be willing 10 pay high price 10 De
able to move the multitude. How could know
then how much of the glamour of youth was over
my eyes? , - 49,.
I began that very day-yes. that very hour
to study. Miss Runciman said she was sorry
was so old that she wished she had found me
wears before Say at sixteen: but then the tune
was not ripe; shouldn't have been ready 10
take Won then: ! was thinking OF other Things
Did you ever notice, Billy, that strive as we
may. nothing happens until the uihe IL IlPe'
She began to turn over the music sheets III 'he
corner of the room. She was on her knees
II confidently expect that you VIII master ,he
first studies rapidly she was sny ,esrs Let
me tell you of the great things now Are
you istening?"
ing down at her.
"Speak cearly-enunciate-en
ciate-make much Of the words as II You were
an actor Consider your words first. VIII you
remember" >.
nodded my head but thought she was tell
Ing me n strange thing.
Even If you sing in a tongue your listeners 90
not understand you must understand. you must
suck the meaning from every WORD. ana 'he
meaning will flow into your tones VINO cares.
save specifically for warbing Ike bird! That
isn't what YOU desire. Sing like n human De-
irg-lke a woman who hopes and despairs who
loves and hates. who lives. Billy know TO oegin
with that you to be dramatic soprano;
that's the promise Of your voice; don't do any
thing 10 vtiate that promise. II you 20 and fall
in love and marry ! shall be disguised with
you-disgusted Fall In love II you please; girls
are constantly doing that. Emotional expert
i.bo tha
love in hand. and tell your lover he may only
adore from affair 1t will be good discipline for
him. and what lovers chiefly need Is discipline;
they don't get half enough OF It,.
Here Miss Rurciman paused to laugh slightly
She released my skirt from her grasp.
when you practisr accustom yourself to
singing in ali sorts Of positions Now. this Ia
hard-to cry out at the top Of your voice me'o-
diously"-
Still on her knees. she wheeled about ana ex.
tended her hands, clasped forward and above
her head:
"Edgardo, Edgardor'
The tone swept into the warm air outside and
along the summer stiffness OF the country. piead-
ing. beseeching.
you see" she went on. rising to her feet. ''thc
mere effort almost makes you lose your balance
and fall over backward. And you must DO IL
simultaneously and as II YOU meant II; otherwise
YOU are ridiculous. Every time You are sent-
mental romantic you are so perilousIy near
the ridiculous. That old saying about Its being
but a step you know. is the truest thing in the
world.
I'm giving YOU quite lecture. But I'm not
going to do that very often. Billy, don disap-
point me. please
She glanced at me.
81 shall do my best" answered with enthu-
siasm.
Sht did not reply. She was walking about the
little room She stopped In front OF me.
I'm rather In singing mood" she remarked
| land then | want you to get an Idea as to how
| the thing is done
She began:
STAY Corydon thou swain.
Talk not OF dying;
What tho thy heart be slain.
What tho thy love be flying:
She threatens thee. but dares not strike
Thy nympth is light and shadowlike:
For II thou follow her she'll ny from thee
But II thou ny from her. she'll follow thee.
She sang 1t seemed to me- as no one else ever
/ sang and as one ever would sing. i STAN
mered out something to that effect, and she
laughed
That's very sweet of you" she answered,
| "but have you ever heard any one else?'
I was obliged to confess that had not.
She made reply to this response of mine.
| Now, there's something want to warn you
| against" she said. suddenly.
| | waited. looking at her. She seemed dispeased
| by her thoughts.
ITS very annoying. but it's my nephew, vane.
He'll be making love to you. Of course"
l drew myself up. was angry.
II don't think we need to worry about that"
| / responded In very high manner.
| "Dont you?" she laughed but there was
| fold between her eyes
Indeed. no.
"Oh you don't know Nane. He's born lover.
Perhaps ought not to blame him. He'd make
| eyes at doll II there were nothing alive
| near. Why shouldn't be surprised IT, without
| speaking word. he had somehow made that
| little pig woman-whats her name?-Cobb-
| think he had tenderness for her which cruel
| fate obliged him to nip in the bud. Oh. Vane
| Hildreth must make love to some one II he
| were only a little younger, would cut n switch
| from one of these birches and use II across his
shoulders He will try to make love to you.
| sure as you standing before me. Now. will
| you please tell me what course you going
| to take? VIII you snub him."
| She looked at me quizzically. but still ear
! nestly.
| was indignant to the very tips of my fingers.