Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-03-04
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 popular
fellow and good singer. was down for
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 il and. TO tell the truth. cared
very little whether or not ii was meri
torious. 1t struck me simply as good
feature to advertise "a song by 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 ont 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 simple thing there was no neces-
sity for II conductor. Schreiner rs first
violin. marked the time from his desk
as well as played his part in it.
At the rehearsal the song went we'll
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 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 naturedly.
''for if they want higher note than
that they will be disappointed. It's my
limit. couldn't sing half tone high
er 10 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 or
three arias by important talent. and
violin solo by Schreincr before il came
Norton : turn. Norton was in the green
room while Schreiners solo was in
progress, and then he was approached
by Gustave Mollcnhauer. the first clar-
met of the orchestra Mollenhauer
looked worried
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.
''lt is B fiat. Why do you ask p
Because those fool violinists. led ON
by that i'll tempered coxcomb Schreiner.
won't let you sing Il fiat -
What the mischief do you mean.
Gusy'
You may well use the word mis-
chief. Charley. Schrciner has put up a
job ON you. When il comes your turn,
49,, al.
will be tuned upa whole note. Schrei-
ner tells 'em that you want it that way
in order to make more brilliant eli
max. He wants you To break -
Mollenhauer stopped abruptly, for
Charley was pale as n ghost. He had
awful visions of the break in his vsice
the ridiculous squeak that would occur
if he tried his top note at the high
pitch set by Schrciner the laughter of
the audience the modification. but,
above all. the exhibition of himself be-
fore pretty Mary Emerson in the pro-
scenium box.
Can it be stoppedY'' 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
mp till after the men got on the stage.
You II have 10 sing some other note
And ruin the climaxy II won't do!
1t would spoil the song! But. confound
it, what can dor
For a moment Mollenhauer was in as
great despair as Charley was Then his
face lightcned
Have you another copy Of the song?'
he asked. Charley shook his head
gioomily
How many measures is it from the
beginning to the top note
The composer singer counted his
manuscript and answered. Sixty
seven.
''All right then. " said the clarinet
ist ''you &" ahead and sing Your song
Tor 61 measures. then open Your mouth
~ If you were goIng In lift the roof and
keep still. I'll do the rest Here let me
see your copy.
Fcverish with excitement. Mollen-
haucr examined the song committing
its final measures to memory. Charley
saw what liv intend, 4 to do. and though
the singer was somewhat chcered. he
was yet very nervous What if Mollen-
hauer should count wrong? What if he
should come in Il half measure too soon
or measure too later What if every
body should tumble
He was urging those doubts on the
clarinctist when ! sent callboy to
tell him that it was his turn. | wonder
ed when he passed me on his way to the
stage why he looked SO frightened, and
l wondered too. why Gus Mollenhauer
went to his place just back Of the violas
Gus was never known Ia SIT on the stage
when he had nothing to do and there
was no part for him in Norton song.
Nevertheless ! saw Gus take up his II
flat clarinet and test the time of il &c
the A that Schreincr was scraping on
his fiddle Knowing nothing about pitch
| didn't dream that SChrciner was tun.
ing his instruments uncarthly high. and
supposing Gus knew his business paid
no attention la him. hut watched Char.
ley, for | anticipated his success and
was eager to enjoy it.
The first part Of the song was snlen.