The San Francisco call., 1903-12-20

yep" replied the singer, at was
me. Did yer think it was him?"
with a slight jounce to indicate his VIC
tim.
Get up, won't you, and sing me
something else" the choirmaster
urged. The boy rose promptly.
''What'n I sing?" he returned amic-
ably. There had been different tone
In the choirmaster's voice.
Happy Home! Happy Home!" the
crowd demanded.
The choirmaster looked relieved. He
had no narrow prejudices, but he real
lied that a hymn like my Happy
Home" comes with good effect from
the parish hall windows.
Where's your mouth organ?" de-
nnanded the freckled one of a larger
boy IN the crowd. The latter prompt
ly produced the instrument in ques-
ton. cuddled it in both hands mo-
ment after the fashion OF the virtuoso
and drew forth the jerlKy and complex
series OF strains peculiar to 1t. 1t was
evidently a prelude-a tune vaguely
familiar to the choirmaster. Sudden
Der background:
I'd leave my yappy yonie for you. oo-oo-oo-ool
The choirmaster sighed ecstatically.
voice so tender, SO soft, so rich in
appealing infections he had never
heard. The repeated vowels cooed;
they caressed; they allured.
You're the nices man n I ever knoo oo-oo-
oo-ooI
choirmaster, respectfully.
It appeared at first to be Egg Nogg,
but resolved into Edgar Ogden under
careful discrimination, and it's
owner agreed to attend three weekly
rehearsals and two Sunday services
for the princely salary of % cents a
week, the same to be increased in
proportion to his progress.
Subsequent efforts proved that it was
utterly hopeless to attempt to teach
him TO read music. When Tim Aulialy
and the stupidest alto in the United
States-as the choirmaster assured him
could stumble through what was con-
siderately known as a duet at sight,
and that was the work of many
months. Edgar was still learning his
solos by ear. once learned, however,
he never forgot them, and Mr.. Fellows
thrilled with pride as the silver stream
Of his voice flowed higher, higher,
above the organ, beyond the choir at
his side. till the people in the church
sighed and craned their necks to look
at the wonderful boy.
As a matter of fact they looked, most
Of them. at Tim Mullaly. AS his ap-
pealing expression and violet eyes were
undetachable he had all the effects Of
the soloist and received most Of the
credit from that vast majority.
This mere apprehension was merci-
fully unsuspected by Edgar, otherwise
it is TO be feared that the services Of
a physician would have been required
in the Mullaly household. Not that
Edgar had any professional pride In
his voice. He possessed, according to
his own ideas, many more valuable and
decorative qualities His power Of song
was entirely hereditary and came to
him from his father.
Mrs. Ogden was not musical herself
and devoted most Of her energies to fine
laundry work, a less emotional but
more lucrative occupation Edgars
professional duties interested her
chiefly by reason of the weekly salary,
now grown to 80 cents, of which one
tenth was allowed him for his private
purpose, the remainder being applied to
the very obvious necessities Of the
household. His consequent position as
wage-earner was firmly established,
and his mother, though she cherished
a natural contempt for the mental cal
iber Of any young man who considered
Edgar's voice worth so cents a week,
saw to it that so remunerative an or
gan received all the consideration it de-
served.
To Mr. Ogden's undisguised horror,
two new suits of under flannels were
purchased at the beginning of the win
ter, and shiny storm rubbers were
urged upon the artists reluctant feet,
on every slushy day. The most uncon-
vincing cough was rewarded with black
licorice purchased from the general
household fund, and when Edgar had
the measles the Prince of Wales" to
use Mr.. Ogden's irritated phrase,
might have been glad to taste the
mutton broth and cocoa that fattened
that imDident kid"
Nor was her system limited to this
soft indulgence, as the occasion of one
Of the chOirInaster's visit proved Fear
full lest the purpose Of his call should
become evident too abruptly, he began
by one Of his customary eulogies Of his
first sopranos voice. She received his
enthusiasm coldly, indicated forcibiy
her own lack Of musical ability, and
boasted, with a pride inexplicable to
one who has not been accustomed to
consider this gift synonymous with
penitentiary qualifications. that she
could not carry a tune. On his men
tioning somewhat difhdently that Ed
gars fines for tardiness, absence, etc,
must in the nature Of things make ap-
precia.ble inroads upon his salary the
interview assumed a different aspect
Wiping her hands on her apron. Mrs
Ogden assured the choirmaster that If
Edgar wasn't earning his wages she'd
attend to that part OF it all right. So
intent was her expression that he felt
obliged to put in a plea for gentle
ness, on the ground that such deli