Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-23


tendant, and higher and higher rose his
opinion of the very remarkable voice which
he possessed. He had never as vet at.
tempted what are called solo parts, although
he felt himself competent in every way to
sustain such parts should he be called upon
to do so. He often wondered why he had
never been asked to sing solo, but he az.
tributed it to some secret jealousy. So one
night, after the regular rehearsal was over,
Miss Sophia Simms, in a spirit Of fun, never
dreaming for an instant that he would ac.
cept her offer, asked Mr.. Thomas to sing a
solo on the following Sunday, aud, to her
CONSERVATION and to the delight Of the other
members Of the choir, MT Thomas then aud
there accepted.
The Sunday that was to introduce Mr.
Boolerby to the public as a sOloist came ia
its usual order and found Mr.. Thomas in a
great state of excitement indeed But If he
had any fears for himself he kept them we'll
concealed from an ever prying public. He
had his doubts though, just the same; but
so did others
Never before did the church seem so
packed as It did on this day. Every seat
was filed and people were standing in the
aisles- Could it have been noised abroad
that great singer was to warbie that day,
thought Mr.. Thomas as he gave a scared
look around the place This thought was
the only pleasant one he had experienced
that day. Still Mr.. Boolerby was iii at ease
so was Miss Sophia Simms, the organist
He was greeted BY bright smile from
Miss Emmerline, who pressed his hand and
whispered, Courage
Get ready now, Mr.. Boolerby, said
Miss Sophia Simms who was in a tremb-
ling condition herself, or, as she explained
to a lady friend who was sitting near that
she never was 50 frustrated Ia her life. "
Perhaps this distressing condition was oc-
casioned by certain memories arising in her
mind Of Mr.. Boolerby's former vocal tri-
umphs. Anyway, to use an expression of
a lady who was present. "Sophy Simms
cert'iuy did look narvous." In response to
Miss Sophys command MI Thomas took
his position beside the organ with a copy of
the music in his trembling hands
Are YOU ready2" whispered Miss Sophia.
Yes" faltered Mr. Thomas. nearly
panic stricken
Then here goes, replied that young lady
and be sure that you come ia on time. "
she added hurriedly or you'll spoil the
effect" Miss Sophia played the opening
prelude with an artistic flourish, and then
raised her finger 10 Mr.. Boolerby as the sig
nal for him to begin
That gentleman stood erect beside the
organ, despite curious trembling in his
legs and most unpleasant feeling in the
region Of his stomach. When Miss Sophia
gave the signal to begin, Mr.. Thomas
Strengthened himself up, took long breath.
threw his head we'll back. aud there he
stood, with his mouth wide open aud his
eyes staring wildly, but not one sound came
from that gentleman save little gaspiue
cry not unlike the sound made by people
when they are out of breath from some vio-
lent exertion, or perhaps his condition was
more aptly described by one Of the lady
members Of the choir by the following
terse sentence, like ash on dry LAM"
Seeing that Mr. Thomas had missed con-
nections, Miss Sophia played sereneiv on
through the first bars, whispering to Mr..
Thomas to be ready to come in on the sec
ond verse.
By the time that Miss Sophia had come
to the second verse Mr. BOolerby had re-
covered his scattered wits somewhat. and
he determined to do or die SO when he was
given the second signal he bravely started
of But try as he might, aud though he
strained every nerve in his little body, his
voice could scarcely be heard above the
organ, and then only in little uasps
Another peculiar feature of Mr. Thomas,
performance was the very peculiar be-
havior Of his voice. At one time this re.
markabie organ would ring out in a shriii
falsetto, then just as suddenly would II
change to basso. .profoundo, for no appar-
ent reason at all. From this it would touch
lightly all along the line at the different
registers, and then die away into a shrek
ing soprano, without informing Mr.. Thomas
previously as TO its intention, thereby leav-
ing that little gentleman as 80 aptly de-
scribed by the before mentioned lady like
fish on dry Lam"
The members of the choir began to smile
aud nudge one another. some found IL
difficult to restrain their mirth and laughed
outright. The congregation began to
glance up at the choir with smiling faces
as they became aware Of something unusai
happening there. All this Mr.. Thomas
Boolerby, who was dignity itself, saw aye,
and felt, but msnfully he tried to save that
last lingering shred of his former reputa-
tion which he knew was stealing away from
him, while the whole congregation, was
convulsed with laughter.
Sing out, whispered Miss Emmerine,
from behind him; Get up more steam,
Boolerby," said the big bass, who appeared
to be doubled up with merriment Louder.
louder" urged the rest of the choir And
although he made a gallant effort in re-
sponse to these solicitations, he made a
dismal failure, his voice dying away into
long, lingering shrek, kept up even after
the organ had stopped, but there was no
earthly way for Mr.. Thomas to control such
voice as thar; so there he stood, with the
perspiration streaming from his face in
little rivers, the choir, in perfect ecstacies
Of enjoyment Of the situation and the con-
gregauou, fast becoming hysterical But
still Mr. Boolerby held that last long note,
for the very good reason that he was unable
to let Il 60
What would he not have given 10 have
been able to straugle that offensive note in
its infancy But there was one consoling
thought that Aoated through his mind at
this excruciating moment, and that was. If
ever he was able TO shut his mouth again. il
should never, never, never be opened In
song again, not if he finally became rival
Of Methuselem. After what seemed CEN
turY to Mr.. Thomas his voice died away in
a shrek and the solo was finished