Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-02-20
HIS TOP NOTE.

edged to be the prettiest girl in Brad
ford
Among the many who sighed for her
were two who seemed SO far advanced
in the court they paid that they might
be called suitors. One, Charley Norton,
was toward the front because he de-
served to be there, for he was a good
fellow, bright and earnest, albeit guilty
of harmless vanities, not to say the self
conceit with which some people charged
him. His one dangerous rival was the
concert master of the Bradford orches-
ira, Theodore Schreiner. Schreiner' ap-
parent lead in the race for Miss Elmer
sons affections was due wholly to his
boundless assurance. The proof of this
came to him with unpleasant clearness
on the day when he proposed, only to be
rejected. Mary let him understand dis
tinctly that she was promised to Char
ley Norton and that her accepted lover
had her entire affection and trust
For a day or two Schreiner was mo-
rose and inclined, so he said, to suicide.
Then came the annual charity concert,
for which long programme had been
arranged. Norton, who was a popular
l0liOW anu SOOO was OOW IL IOl
a song, and the piece ne had chosen
was one of his own compositions. AS
manager of the enterprise had encour-
aged him to sing the thing. I hadn't
heard it and, to tell the truth, cared
very little whether CT not it was meri-
torious. It struck me simply as good
feature to advertise song by popular
local composer, written for the Occa-
sion," as l unblushingly announced in
big type on the billboards.
The fact was that Charley had ham
mered out the music in the ecstasy fol-
lowing his acceptance by Miss Emerson,
and the piece was privately dedicated
to her. The accompaniment was ar
ranged for the string band, and as it
was a simple thing there was no neces-
sity for q conductor. Schreiner, as first
violin, marked the time from his desk
as well as played his part in it.
At the rehearsal the song went we'll
an error, and Charley sailed up to the
climax, a very high note, in the most
effective style We were all sure that it
would be the hit of the evening and
that Charley would score brilliant
success with that fetching top note.
81 hope so, he said good naturally,
t'for if they want a higher note than
that they Will be disappointed. It's my
limit. / couldn't sing half tone high
er to save my life. .
Evening came and there was a crowd
ed house Miss Emerson was in a con-
spicuous box with the members of the
family. There We're an overture, two or
three arias by important talent, and
violin solo by Schreiner before it came
Norton S turn. Norton was in the green
room while Schreiner's solo was in
progress, and then he was approached
by Gustave Mollenhauer, the first clar
met of the orchestra. Mollenhauer
looked worried.
E'Charley,'' said he, ''did you mean
it when you said you couldn't sing
higher than that top note in your song?"
Fact replied Norton composedly.
eft is B fat. Why do you ask?'
Because those fool violinists, led on
by that i'll tempered coxcomb Schreiner,
won't let you sing B fiat.
''What the mischief do you mean.
Gus?''
''You may well use the word mis-
chief, Charley. Schreiner has put up
job on you. When it comes your turn
every stringed instrument in the band
will be tuned up a whole note Schrei-
ner tells 'em that you want it that way
in order to make a more brilliant eli
max. He wants you to break
Mollenhauer stopped abruptly, for
Charley was pale as a ghost. He had
awful visions of the break in his voice,
the ridiculous squeak that would occur
if he tried his top note at the high
pitch set by Schreiner, the laughter of
the audience, the modification, but,
above all, the exhibition of himself be-
fore pretty Mary Emerson in the pro-
scenium box.
Cant it be stopped?' he gasped.
Mollenhauer shook his head. Il tried
to say something" he answered, ''but
the conductor called me down for max
ing noise. The thing wasn't cooked
up till after the men got on the stage.
You'll have TO sing some other note. -
''And ruin the climax? 1t won't dol
1t would spoil the songl But, confound
it, what can do?"
For moment Mollenhauer was in as
great despair as Charley was Then his
face ightened.
''Have you another copy of the songY
he asked. Charley shook his head
gloomily.
GLOW many measures is it from the
beginning to the top note?''
The composer singer counted his
manuscript and answered, F'Sixty-
seven.
''All right. then," said the clarinet
Est, ''you go ahead and sing your song
Cor 81 measures; then open your mouth