The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-29
THE SINGING LESSON.

The village hall was crammed. Two
chairs did duty for three people in
every row of seats save the two front
ones, which were reserved for the per
formers and Lady Crackenbrake's house
party.
We were growing impatient, but in
LinkthorDe we never so far forgot our
selves as to whistle OF stamp unless the
performance is more than half an hour
late. We merely mop our faces, unite
our bursting bonnet strings, and eat
more peppermint. Also we audiblv re-
mark that Joe Panton's gal seems to
TAX a saight O proppin." whereat Joe's
arm tries to look as if it were only
grasping the back of Susan AIMS
chair, and Susan Ann giggles and feels
that her new hat has not been worn
in vain.
At this point, however, wheels were
heard, and amidst a respectful silence
a beVy of performers, headed by our
squiress, Lady Crsckenbrake, made it's
way TO the front seats.
AS soon as all were settled the rector
announced glee by the choir. and the
choir shuffied on, IN its best clothes
ana enjoyed itself vastly, while the
front rows writhed and hid their faces.
Hencoor! yelled all the choir's sweet
hearts and relatives, and the demand
was granted without loss of time.
Foreign talent. staying at the hall
then warbled deliciously. but being a
stranger and having red hair was cold
~ received and retired In a bad temper.
QAQ Lazy GF6Cke0DTake herself
arse and was hoisted on to the shaB-
Ing platform by the rector amid much
clapping of hands.
There may have been, far away in the
misty past, day when Lady Cracken-
brake could sing, but now we shudder
ana long for an early grave before she
even opens her lips. Too well do we
know those thrills and roulades, which
somehow are never in the same key
with the piano; oft have we held on tight
TO our chairs as the dame sWooped IN
to shrtn G sharp, missed the mark
and quavered long on G. natural. whilst
ner aceompanist glanced wildly at the
signature and tried several chords
which refused to fit. Loud and long
have We arplauded. and manfully have
we endured repetition of the torment
FOR DO not our mothers meetings. our
cricket and football club, our coal and
blanket funds, depend for maintenance
in time of need on the bounty of this
stout and breathless lady? Well do we
remember how small her subscriptions
became that year when we all laughed
shake.
No one was more enthusiastic in APP
plause than Elijah Hops, who is hop
ing to I'LL the next vacancy in one of
the han lodges. Eff you can't maak
and look as eff you was enjoyin' it when
her laadyship's a-singin'." remarked
this artless rustic to his son, you'll
mebbe faind yer jacket boosted when
yer gets aoutsaide."
George" whispered my sister Nell.
leaning forward, across Jim Barton, to
speak to me, George I can't and won't
ask her to sing next month. If the De
Vinskas found they were to sing on the
same platform with her 1 believe they
would just turn huffy and refuse to go
through the programmed" Nell, who is
an enthusiast and given to arranging
excellent little soirees musieales, quite
glared at me as she spoke.
ffOf1ife my dear 7 h
ingly. ut would be ridiculous to risk
OFFENDING people you have met three
times for the sake of a few paltry votes
for the orphanage and Christmas tree
for the workhouse children. I shouldn't
think of 1t for a moment"
Some people think it is clever 20 be
sarcastic said Nell; Il DON'T Jim
had sat looking from one to the other
as we spoke. but I must admit that the
chances he turned in my direction were
wonderfully out Of proportion to those
he gave Neil. He was just about to
speak when a buzz of excitement ram
through the tightly packed audience.
The event of the evening, an action
song by the infants. was about to take
place. Every head was craned forward
as some twenty gayly dressed boys and
girls marched on to the stage, each Bill,
Sam and Maria being duly pointed az
and admired by his or her mother and
advised to Sing COP an let me ear yer
above t'others."
"Onel twoI threel" said the school
mistress. after few tweaks and pushes
had put each infant in its right place.
MERRY little gipsies are We squeaked
the twenty shrill voices. and twenty
separate gulps mingled into one vast
guip, who live so gay and free" (gulpJ.
I'VE love to dance stamp and play"
(guip, as before) And laugh the live
long day. (diddle diddle dunn, strummed
the schoolmistress).
when the sun sinks in the west" (all
point systematically at the window I'VE
goo ter sleep and rest Gan endemic of
toothache appears to seize the unfor-
tunate children). IAN wi the morning
laight" gasp I'VE wake Grub yer
eyes. Tommy. can't yerp) and taak our
naight." Frsntic applause drowned the
twenty signs of RELIEF with which the