The true northerner., 1899-11-15

ed the interview, II have decided not
to go out with the company ! have a
good reason for it. =
Mrs. Winslow was large. handsome
woman, fond Of much company. ambi-
! tious for distinct place in society and
devoted. according TO her definitions Of
success, to the success of her children.
Her youngest boy. Lewis, ten years
younger than Rachel was ready to
graduate from military academy in
the summer Meanwhile she and Rachel
were at home together Rachel father,
/ like Virginia. s, had died while the fam
! lily were abroad. Like Virginia, she
| found herself, under her present rule Of
conduct. in complete antagonism with
her own immediate home circle.
Mrs Winslow waited for Rachel to
( go on.
"You know the promise 1 made two
weeks ago, motherg"
"Mr. Maxwell's promise2''
''No, mine You know what il was.
motherY'
Il suppose l do. OF course all the
church members mean TO initiate Christ
and follow him as far as is consistent
with our present day surroundings But
what has that TO do with your decision
in the concert company's matter -
"It has everything TO do with it.
After asking What would Jesus dor
and going TO the source of authority for
wisdom | have been obliged TO say that
do not believe he would in my case
la thof uca of INV yoiaa -
"Why2 Is there anything wong
7 about such career?''
mo l don't know that can say
there is
do you presume to sit in Judgment
on other people who go out to sing in
this wayY Do you presume TO say that
they are doing what Christ would not
dor
"Mother, l wish you to understand
me. / Judge no one else. l condemn no
other professional singers l simply de-
eide my own course. AS | look at it,
have a conviction that Jesus would do
something else. Z"
s'What else2" Mrs. Winslow had not
yet lost her temper She did not under
/
midst of it, but she was anxious that
her daughters career should be as dis
tinguished as her natural gifts prom
ised, and she felt confident that when
the present unusual religious excite
ment in the First church had passed
away Rachel would go on with her
public life according TO the wishes of
the family. She was totally unprepared
for Rachel next remark
"What? Something that will serve
mankind where it most needs the serv
ice of song. Mother, l have made up
my mind TO use my voice in some way
so as TO satisfy my soul that am doing
something better than pleasing fashion
able audiences or making money or even
gratifying my own love of singing. | am
going to do something that will satisfy
/ me when / ask What would Jesus
dor and l am not satisfied and cannot
be when l think of myself as singing
myself into the career of a concert COM
pany performer.
Rachel spoke with a vigor and ear
nestness that surprised her mother Mrs.
Winslow was angry now, and she never
tried TO conceal her feelings
ut is simply absurd Rachel, you
are a fanatic What can you dor"
1.-The world has been served by men
and women who have given it other
things that were gifts Why should l,
/ because | am blessed with natural
! gift. at once proceed TO put market
price on it and make all the money
can out of it2 You know. mother. that
you have taught me to think of mu-
sical career always in the light of a
| financial and social success have been
unable since | made my promise two
weeks ago to imagine Jesus joining a
concert company to do what 1 would
do and live the life 1 would have to live
if joined it. Z"
Mrs. Winslow rose and then sat down
again. With great effort she COM
posed herself.
"What do you intend TO do. then
You have not answered my question. 4"
81 shall continue to sing for the time
being in the church. / am pledged to
sing there through spring. During the
week l am going to sing at the White
Cross meetings down in the Rectangle. I"
What Rachel Winslow Do you
know what you are sayingH Do you
know what sort of people those are
down there's"
Rachel almost quailed before her
mother For moment she shrank back
and was silent.
II know very well. That is the rea-
son l am going. Mr.. and Mrs. Gray
have been working there several weeks.
l learned only this morning that they
wanted singers from the churches to
help them in their meetings. They use
tent. 1t Is in part of the city where
Christian work is most needed. 1 shall
offer them my help Mother" Rachel
cried out with the first passionate ut
terance she had yet used, Il want to do
something that will cost me something
in the way of sacrifice. / know you will
not understand me. But / am hungry
to suffer something. What have we
done all our lives for the suffering, sim
/ L.