The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-31

Wabash" MY Coal Black Lady" You
Can't Play in My Yard" "Therell BE a
Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight and
Brush Them Clouds Away" His voice.
for one so young. is clear and good. His
little sister is his teacher and when there
Is a new song out she buys II for him.
lie is taught TO sing his songs by his
sister. who plays them over two or three
times while he stands by her side learn
ing the air. She then teaches him the
words and his parents say that he viii
learn any song in two hours time in this
manner.
When left alone i'm the daytime he
amuses himself singing. III there is any
music played in the neighborhood that
he can hear he will go 20 the window and
commence 60 hum the tune that he hears.
If the plano in the parlor Is left open
Louis will get up on the stool ana com
mence TO pick at The keys until he can
find one that commences some one OF his
favorite songs I'm this way he is now
earning TO play the instrument. He does
not require 10 De bribed 20 sing. even
when there are strangers in the house.
If his sister commences to play at the
piano Louis will trot into the room and
tell her what song he wishes to sing.
Should she stop one song and commence
another Louis will az once follow her
music.
Il DO not know how 10 account for this
trait in Louis" said Mrs Cotter. II am
not a musician. neither is his father. l
seldom sing and the only thing that his
father knows about music Is TO pick at
banjo. The first time that 1 noticed that
ne showed any appreciation or attention
to music was when he was about 10
months old. There was n German band
playing on the corner and he went 10 the
window. where he listened TO II. When
il went away he commenced 10 cry ana
did not stop until his sister played on
the piano for him. Now when he hears
any music on tho street he VIII open the
uyindow and commence to sing II the
music is that Of any OF the songs that
ne knows lie is doing his best 10 learn
the piano now and will stand by 1t Tor
hours at a time trying to pick out some
part Of 4 song.
..It is strange that he has not taken 10
books. He does not care for them, as
other children do. and cannot get MN
interested in them. He has learned 10
count and Is learning TO write. lie Is
quick TO understand anything that Is toid
him and IS good TO obey The only way
mat | can account for his wonderful
trait is that when he was young could
do. nothing with him and left him TO pad
die his own canoe. We have alreacy had
many requests TO take him out ana we
will do so as soon as Easter - mere as
we have two or three public engagements
for him with our friends
Louis Is small for his years, with
bright eye and an intelligent countenance'
When he is singing his face indicates
study. showing that he is closely follow
ing the music. His little fingers Keep
time to the music and the movements
OF the hands of the person playing. lie
does not turn his back 10 his AUDITORS
but faces them. After he has sung the
song he will retire TO his seat with a
modest look OF satisfaction and DOW
lie talks and sings very plainly for one
Of his years and will frequently SIT tor
hours I'm study, his face carrying ths
same expression as when he is singing
There Is but one other child In the family
Of three children that has shown any
desire for music That is Mary. who Is
now in her fourteenth year and who plays
remarkably well for one Of her age.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Cotter take great
prid. In their little wonder" as they
call him, and they hope that some day
he will make his mark in the world or
music and song. AS soon as he Is old
enough 20 be taught they VIII give MIN
thorough musical education and II Is more
than possible that their fondest hopes VIII
some day be fully realized.