The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-09
THE AWAKENING OF ETHEL
BY H. NJ. Placer.

Coz
Ethel did not know whence she
came or whittier she was bound. All
she knew was that she did not be-
long to the Flannlgans. who raised her
in so kindly a manner and understood
her so little. and that she was impelled
by something within her to sing, sing.
sing-always and forever to sing. No
matter how much scolded for wasting
her time or discouraged by sneers.
naught could cover the irresistible i'm
pulse within her to sing.
The Flannigans considered 1t little
short of a calamity. not so much that
she was permitted to waste any time
from the household drudgery. but be-
cause 1t seemed to distract her atten-
ton and made her different from the
other children. But the approval or dis
approval of the Flannigans made not
the slightest difference to Ethel and
she went on singing. oblivious to sur
roundings.
She was IA when Oppenstein. the
great theatrical impressario. happened
to drive through the street where Ethel
lived and heard her singing. Open
stein stopped his cart at once. Pie knew
voice when he heard 1T. din Open
stein, and he recognized the elements
of great singer beneath the crude
methods of the girl
The result was that Ethel was placed
under a great master and taught to
use her voce-at Oppenstein's expense.
The training was not so thorough as
that given to some of the darlings
of fortune, because Oppenstein wanted
to realize on his find. So two years
were deemed sufficient before he put
her on the stage Still the two years
gave the girl a training that could not
be applied to any of the darlings of
fortune under Herr Heller's tutelage.
because the tutor found different ma
terial in Ethel to work on. and this
not only responded to his direction but
also inspired him to his best work.
So at Is Ethel appeared on the
stage and her wonderful voice brought
her plaudits enough and Oppenstein
money in plenty. There had been heard
nothing like it in years. The girl seem.
ed to have a power and passion in her
voice which touched the finest chords
in the breasts of those who UNDER
stood music, while the sweetness and
purity of her voice appealed to all
who loved harmony
For moro than a year did Ethel
win praise for herself and money for
Oppenstein, when the astute manager
made fatal error. He had been
watching her sing from a box, and after
the performance made his way to her
dressingroom. She had thrown off her
stage costume and donned her simple
street dress Oppenstein, who was
susceptible both to music and beauty.
had been enthralled by the passionate
power with which she had rendered n
great love song. and was also strongly
moved to the budding womanly beauty
OF the girl The thought had come to
him that he had discovered this beau
tiful creature and she was his and he
had come to claim his own. She did
not understand him at first. When she
did she tuGned and fed. Oppenstein
pursued but was too heavy.
Never mind" said he. to himself
There is plenty of time" Then he
went to the club and ordered wine.
did not return. The bill was changed
and Cppenstein cursed his luck
In distant city-as far as Ethels
money could take her-she stood on
the street and listened to a beautiful
voice. An Italian boy was playing a
violin and singing a passionate love
song He had good voice, but the
performance lacked something. Peo-
pie passed by but few and small were
the coins that dropped into the hat.
rect but the lads voice lacked some
thing.
Let me sing it with YOU" said
Ethel. going to his side.
Looking at her suspiciously and
wondering. he started again. Before
half dozen bars were finished the
violin rang with new vigor, the voice
OF the lad had steadied into more GER
tain tone. while passers by stopped
10 listen to the wonderful harmony
Before the song was finished a small
crowd had gathered and the hat was
hlled with a silver harvest.
1t is all yours" said the lad, hold
ing up the capful of coins.
No" said the girl. only enough
for a lodging"
Who are your" asked the lad. won
dering.
Only a homeless girl who can