Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-09-27

he would sing Smiling bravely at her, he rose
in his place and gripping his hands firmly be-
hind him, began song without prelude or ac-
compartment.
1t was one of the songs that the little woman
had often sung to him-a song that the mothers
of Erin sang to their children when the western
trackleSS-a moaning, grooming Gaelic
lullaby
as it Sioux" Winthrop asked.
Irish" said Delaney, and the other man
wondered at the tense note of interest in his
voice. Winthrop, swaying to and fro with the
rhythm. suddenly caught his breath as the boys
voice scared over their heads and rushed out
to the prairie and sank in a wierd, wailing final
note To the applause that followed the boy
seemed to pay no heed, but if in response to
the smile of the little woman he began another
ballad. With all the pathos of nations suffer
ing he sang the song of nations love. In his
tones was the misery of unwept tears
"A gra ma chree, colleen oh
Ma Mollie bawn ashore"
Out into the moonlight of the prairie went the
two men who held in their hearts the haunting
other voice in the world that was ever like his"
said Winthrop land I've heard them all-all"
Delaney watched him curiously. Never before
had he known Winthrop to be excited over a
song or a singer And to think we have found
him here Only other voice like his in all
the world. Why, John Delaney would give my
life over again to have the voice of that boy!
II he could only go to my old teacher in Milan
he must he SHALL"
III money can send him. Horace, he shall go"
said Delaney, quietly.
John, you're splendid" cried the other man.
"a modern Maecenas, a golden patron of art ="
But Delaney was not listening
My mother sang that song to me- when was
a boy" he said.
Let me tell Johnnie" Winthrop had said and
Delaney readily accorded him the privilege Rut
the next morning, he himself went down to the
cottage he found to be Mrs Carrols and
knocked at the door.
Won't you step inside, sir" she asked and
Delaney followed her into the little parlor eve
come to see you about Johnnie" he began rather
hesltantly, then plunged at once into the detail
OF the plan, creditng it to Winthrop The little
Ola woman listened intently Her folded hands
CWltched convulsively once, then lay still in her
lap but she looked Delaney straight in the ewes
as he spoke, and cleared her throat before she
said slowly:
II thank you for the grand opportunity you're
offering my boy | know from the 1ool; of Won
that you are honest man who would never
go PACK on his word, and have long heard your
reputation to be that It's fine of you to be taking
SO much interest in my boy; I'm grateful for it
out II hasn't ben the way of me or mine to take
charity " ''''>N
This isn't charity" said Delaney quickly. Its
nelplng on the work of God Do you suppose that
tne Lord who gave your boy that voice intended
him to do nothing with it? Why wouldn't YOU lief
us do that little bit of good? Don't you think hed
like to sing? Why, when he is started on his
career he can pay us back in less than a year all
ChaC we would spend on him. Call it loan if
you like, it's good one"
You're kind" said the little woman. I've often
tnought there was small chance for the boy here
Hen go to work and he'll care for me till ] go
John is a good boy), and then he'll marry some
GIRL perhaps, and have children of his own and be
forgettin' the dreams he had and the voice he
sang with; or, If he remembers them at all, he'll
be sorry for the day that's gone"
You wouldn't stand in his way when he has
chance to make his future, said Delaney
Il would not" she replied simply. "But are