The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-24
The EVENING STORY
George Upper Learns 10 Sing.
(By Jane Osborn.)

(By, Jane Osborn.)
"Of course, I don't mean society,
spelled with big s." George Tup-
per's voice was raised to an argumen-
tative tone.
well, I don't either" drawled his
companion, whose year in New York
had not altered his native tones.
What I mean is that you cannot get
into any sort of decent crowd in the
city without some sort of social intro
duction. I know I've found 1t so,
and when you have been here as many
months as 1 have, you'll agree with
me. It's not a bit like anything in
the South, or in the West. either. Of
course, in business way they'll take
you up fast enoguh, but when it
comes to introducing you to their
wives and sisters. it's another matter"
Pshaw!" broke in his Western
companion. tits just the way you
go 0about it. Why, I'll wager
oh, of course" interrupted Edwin
Carey. the southerner. you can get
into some crowds. but I mean"
What you mean,'' George Upper
went on, sis that I couldn't get ac-
girl in New York without a formal
Introduction"
That's just what mean, George"
agreed the other with the calmness
of conviction.
Well, see here" said George, eager
ly, 'I'll bet you $25 that I can. Not
that I care anything about it, of
course, but just to prove it, I'll tell
you what I'll do. There is a mighty
nice looking young woman I have in
| mind who lives in one of the brown
stone houses across the street. I'm
sure I could get acquainted with her
| If I went about it tactfully. Come on,
Carey he suggested. Lets go about
| it together"
Edwin Carey put out protesting
enough of that sort of thing
Then in the pause that followed
George vaguely recalled the story his
companion had told him of the tickle
ness Of pretty little Southern fiirt'
to whom he had once been engaged.
1t had happened four years before,
but Edwin still felt the sting.
"How long is it going to take you ?''
| queried the Southerner at length.
"Oh, to get acquainted with the
girl and win the $25? Two weeks
sooner. If you wish." answered the
other with assurance.
Then. stepping into the hall Of the
| little bachelor apartment where the
two men made their home, he called
back; "I'll make my first effort now"
The fact was that George Upper
was only too glad to have an excuse
to set about the very quest he had
just suggested. He had seen the
young woman in question on several
occasions and had gone SO far as to
plan to pass on his side of the street
at the time when she was in the habit
Of leaving her house. "She's such
a thoroughbred" he thought to him
self; eft does one good to see her.
She had a way of leaving home
shortly after dinner time, which fact
had aroused Georges interest and
curiosity not a little. With the pres
ent wager in view he felt justified,
as he had not before. in following
self where she went. Luck was with
him this evening, and before he had
waited many minutes the young
woman stepped down from the high
brown-stone porch and passed along
in her usual direction. He followed
her on the opposite side of the street
for three blocks and then he was
somewhat relieved to see her turn
into the door Of the parish house ad-
Joining dignif1ed old church.
Perhaps she sings in the choir he
thought.
A few minutes after she had en-
tered the door he, too, sought admit
| lance.
'Is this practice night?" he asked
| a small boy who was frisking about
| in the lower hall of the building.
"sure," replied the boy. who'd
you want to seer"
"Are you a choir boy?" asked
, George, with another stroke of de-
tective genius.
SURE said the boy nonchalantly.
"Do you have women in the choir %
asked George with an attempt at in
| difference.
prise. didn't you ever hear this
choir? They sing the solos and we
! do the rest. You see they can read
the notes better than we can, and
they aren't so likely to get scared and
chokey on Sundays
terrupted without Disgusting his
eagerness. where's he?"
ooh. he's trying out the new fell
lows up stairs. Practice doesn't be-
gin for few minutes yet.
For the next five minutes George,
spurred on by the thought Of the girl,
took the only course that presented
1 itself of making her acqaintace.
I'm very anxious to get some prac-
tice in choir drill" George explained
been admitted into the choirmaster's
"Yes," replied the other with dis
couraging Indifference. eff you have
only a fair voice I really can't take
the time to hear you. 1 have more
applications now than I know what to
| do with"
George though with momentary re-
gret of the many chances he had
| thrown away to practice with his col
lege gIee clubs. A lusty and ready
voice he had always had when it came
to less formal singing.
'FWell, it isn't what you'd call a
trained voice." he admitted 'but If
you'll let me practice with the choir
and help me out a little I'll be glad to
make it worth your while"
It was two weeks later and George
Turner sat in the little apartment
sitting room Iaboriously singing te
himself from score which he held
before him
"Say. old man. broke in Edwin
Carey from his chair, IF you don,
give up that choir of yours, you'll