The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-01-30
How Gladys Conquered the Scornful
Boys By Judiciously Using Bag
of Lemons.
BY BELLE MOSES.

Gladys sat with her elbows on her
desk, her chin supported by both hands,
but she said nothing; she only listened
While the other girls stormed.
Where's the note, Gladys?" asked
Ruth Burton; IT can tell Franks writ
ing anywhere
Il don't think you could possibly tell
this said Gladys, as she handed Ruth
the big square envelope.
''Hm-no, 1 guess not; typewriter
inside and out. Listen. girls
Dear Madame-We are sorry that
your application for membership in the
Excelsior band has been set aside. We
thermore, we have no ladies among us.
Regretting that we cannot avail our
selves of your undoubted talent, we
are very truly. etc, etc.
Outrageous" cried Jessie Snow
I'D show them hail Columbia if I were
you; but you're not meek, I'm glad
to say
Not very" said Gladys, modestly;
here is my answer:
Members of the Excelsior Band:
Dear Sirs-I am sorry that you have
refused my application, but trust that
some day you will reconsider the mat
ter. Very truly,
GLADYS VERNON"
81 wouldn't go into their old band for
pay" said little Olive Ferguson, lndig-
nantly.
II won't unless they beg me-" re-
turned Gladys, calmly.
Gladys was a born fiddler; at 10 she
handled her bow with such grace and
skill that her family and friends con-
sidered her a budding genius. Even
at the boarding school they were proud
of her gift, and it was no uncommon
sight for this small childish-looking
girl, with the golden curls and blue
eyes, to send a hush over everything as
her violin sang to her rapt audience.
Several music-loving fellows in the
boys school near by dubbed together
and organized the Excelsior band. They
all chose wind instruments; Frank
Burton led off with the cOrnet; there
were two flutes, a flageelet, a clarinet
and trombone, and, at their first i'm
promptu concert, the young musicians
played the simple selection remarkably
well.
Gladys note was read at the next
meeting, commented upon rather de-
risively by some of the EXcelsiors, and
laid regretfully away by Frank Burton;
It's a pity" he remarked. she would
have made a valuable addition"
IT'S the principle of the thing" said
Charlie Grant I'VE must take those
girls down a peg or two"
Reconsider" sneered Jack Evans,
one of the flute players, that will be
never and a day. I guess"
The band met and practiced con-
stantly; but their public appearance
was deferred until mid-winter, after
distressing accident, when money was
being raised to relieve the situation.
The 'Excelsiors" came forward hand
sOmely, and Mrs. Wallace offered her
assembly room for rehearsals after
school hours. when the girls and the
teachers could be present or not, as
they felt inclined.
It would have been an act of courtesy
had the boys invited Gladys to assist
at this special performance, but they
didn't, much to the Indignation of the
girls, though Gladys still preserved an
ominous and deadly silence.
The first rehearsal took place on Fri
day afternoon; the girls rushed from
their desks to make a few simple
changes of toilet, as girls are prone to
do, whenever they can. Then they
trooped to the assembly room, taking
with them characteristic diversions to
while away the afternoon. Some
brought their fancy work, but the gen.
eral inclination was toward refresh
ment; candy, crackers, cakes, apples,
bananas, oranges, and heaven knows
what,
The musicians were ready when
Gladys came into the room; she carried
a salt cellar in one hand, and a small
paper bag in the other, and slipped into
a seat, q little to one side of the raised
platform. At the signal to begin, they
led off in fine style, with a selection
from Carmen"