The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-06-07

| Sinclair's voice began 10 be talked
about. That is the first step Of the lad
! der which leads TO fame. After being
talked Of, success In any profession Is
tOlerably sure; for a time. Unfortun-
ately, il cannot be lasting. On the
| principle that every dog has his day"
so must-eventually-e singer,
writer, artist, or public character give
place TO new conner
However, In the first flush Of glad
ness at getting on, Jack did not look
far ahead. 1t was enough for him
that he could pay his way without a
constant worry over the sixpences; help
others a little; and even begin to put
by money. If things continued to
work well, he meant TO throw up his
clcrkship and be q singer only. That
was his ambition.
IL need scarcely be said that Jack
was generous in giving tickets to his
friends for any concerts at which he
was to be heard. /. for one, enjoyed
many a pleasant evening which cost
me nothing except the trouble Of lit
tie extra toilet, and the purchase OF
few additional pairs of gloves. And
when he had clamorous encore"
(Which happened almost invariably |
believe | was as pleased as he was
and decidedly prouder For | could
not imagine II possible for any one to
sing better. whereas Jack always real
lied that he could go on from good TO
better, and to best.
We used to leave together and walk
homewards, talking Of future sue
ccsses. Such conversation! Such pro-
jects! And when we reached the door
Of Jacks abode he would propose see
ing me home, and when we got TO
my diggings / thought | might just as
well turn back with him and IL was
with reluctance, and great deal left
unsaid, that we felt compelled at last
to separate.
The night-a night which always
stands out in the foreground Of all my
memory-piCtures of Jack SinClair-on
which he had sung In the Stabat Mat
or and received a veritable ovation, an
eminent conductor offered l.i-n a pro-
vincial engagement which was far too
advantageous TO be refused.
II shall throw up the office now" he
said TO me as we made our way along
the familiar streets which led 10 our
suburb. II would rather have given
longer notice-not because | think my
| services can bc ill-spared, but because
IL would be more polite. However, If
explain just how things are. the gov
ernor won't take it amiss that | re
sign my clerkship."
am not given TO forcible express
sions but | did say something rude,
| and suggested that "thc governor" had
not been over generous to Sinclair and
might be fairly left to look out for him
self.
And then we fell TO talking Of money
matters, agreeing that though II is mo
sin to be poor" il is uncommonly in
convenient and SO. by degrees. Jack
waxed confidential and told me n Sc.
crct which he had hidden from me
some time, though l was his closest
friend.
Ii was, of course, the old story which
is always coming into new life-thc
story OF his love for girl whom he
felt absolutely sure, as are all other
young fellows in like circumstances
had not her equal on earth.
I'VE have made up our minds TO hC
very prudent" he said laughingly
I'VE are ready TO bear the test OF
waiting, If long waiting is necessary
But now, with SO bright prospect
opening for me and SO Unexpectedly
tonight | shall tell Amy that we mus
hc married within year. And thinl
she will be glad"
chaffed him a little about Florcnc,
Jackson-the musical young perSol
who played his accomplishments ant
worried him into singing an occasiona
duet with her for the enchantment o
pa and ma" as she called her par
ents.
My own impression" said, lis tha
the charming Florence has some ide
OF becoming Mrs. Sinclair
Jack did not laugh. as had intende,
, he should He declared l was hard g,
the girl. who wasn't n bad sort q
girl. even If she was not refined an
| cultured.
You can't pcct TO find gentlewon
, en- in this locality" he said. BIT. liN
S ing. OF necessity, among these peopl
2 of very middle-class tastes and habit'
e has taught me that there's a deal /
: ! them. Now. we must step OUT for IL
e later than usual. and they will fame
{ something is amiss.
. With quickened pace we were NAL
e ing for King Edwards Road. whe
T. Jack suddenly stopped and snitfed IL
air suspciousiy.
G smells uncommonl.' like fire. an
j: coming from our way. too lie sal
g Let us push on. perhaps We may ha'
z the chance Of being of some use
IS some one or other
IS A fire II was indeed: the smoke can
" in clouds as we got nearer. and "
e could hear the screams OF women
n voices mingling with the hoarse shou
e Ing of the crowd which always turI
up when there is anything TO see.
e IF IL isn't our place" said Jack.
2. we turned into the street, 1T is ne
J. door. And there are little chldr,
e there. and the father Is sailor al
away at sea-
W As he said IL he had burst into q