The Florence daily tribune., 1899-02-16
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' $ APP
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 a 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 l 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. 1t struck me simply as a good
feature to advertise a 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 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 n simple thing there was nc 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, 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.
II hope so, he said good naturally.
for if they want p 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 a crowd
L
spicuous box with the members of the
family. There We're an overture, two or
three arias by important talent, and a
violin solo by Schreiner before it came
Norton 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
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 compcse6ly.
1T 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 B fat. 4"
What the mischief do you mean.
Gusr''
You may well use the word mis-
chief Charley. Schreiner has put mp
job on you When it comes your turn,
every stringed instrument in the band
will be tuned upa whole note Schrei-
ner tells EN- that you want it that way
in order to make more brilliant eli
10
Mollenhauer stopped abruptly. for
Charley was pale as 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
&C; MT it be stoppedH' 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 II have to sing some other note. +"
And ruin the climaxf 1t won't dol
1t would spoil the song! But. confound
it. what can DOR
For moment Mollenhauer was in as
great despair as Charley was. Then his
face lightened-
Have you another copy of the songi"
he asked. Charley shook his head
gloomily.
How many measures is it from the
beginning to the top notef'
The composer singer counted his
manuscript and answered. Sixty
seven.
IAN right, then said the clarinet
ist. ..you GO ahead and sing your song