The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-07-07
HIS TOP NOTE.

HIS TOP NOTE.
Miss Mary Emerson was acknowl-
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 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 Emer-
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 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
fellow and good singer, was down for
a song, and the piece he had chosen
was one of his own compositions. As
manager of the enterprise had encour-
aged him to sing the thing. hadn' t
heard it and, to tell the truth, cared
very little whether or not it was meri-
torious. It struck me simply as good
feature to advertise song by a popular
local composer, written for the occa-
sion," as 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 ii
was simple thing there was no neces-
sity for 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 well.
The violinists read their parts without
an error, and Charley sailed up to the
climax, very high note, in the most
effective style. We were all sure that il
would be the hit of the evening and
that Charley would score brilliant
success with that fetching top note.
I, l1-
''for if they want higher note than
that they will be disappointed. It's my
limit. l couldn't sing half tone high
er to save my life.
Evening came and there was crowd.
ed house. Miss Emerson was in a con-
spicuous box with the members of the
family. There were an overture, two O,
three arias by important talent, and 9
violin solo by Schreiner before it came
Norton turn. Norton was in the green
room while Schreiner's solo was il
progress, and then he was approached
by Gustave Mollenhauer, the first clar
met of the orchestra. Mollenhauel
looked worried.
Charley" said he, "did you NEAR
it when you said you couldn't sins
higher than that top note in your song 2
"Fact, replied Norton composedly
''It is B fiat. Why do you ask9"
Because those fool violinists, led OF
by that i'll tempered coxcomb Schreiner
won't 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 bant
will be tuned up whole note. Schrei
ner tells 'em that you want it that wa.
in order to make more brilliant eli
max. He wants you to break
Mollenhauer stopped abruptly. fo
| Charley was pale as a ghost. He hat
awful visions of the break in his voice
the ridiculous squeak that would occu
if he tried his top note at the higl
pitch set by Schreiner, the laughter O
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. 81 trie,
to say something" he answered, "bu
the conductor called me down for max
ing noise. The thing wasn't cooke'
up till after the men got on the stage
You'll have to sing some other note. -
| "And ruin the climax? 1t won't do
1t would spoil the songl But. confoun'
| it, what can / do2''
For moment Mollenhauer was in a
great despair as Charley was Then hi
face lightened.
"Have you another copy of the song p
he asked. Charley shook his hea'
gloomily.
"How many measures is it from tn
beginning to the top note2''
The composer singer counted hi
manuscript and answered, "Sixty
seven''
"All right, then," said the clarinet
ist, ''you go ahead and sing your SON.
for 81 measures; then open your moutl