Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-06-17
t<t % = . ~ = 1sxtc
"LASSIE FRAE
LANCASHIRE"

Just lassie frae Lancashire
Just a lassie frae Lancashire
She's the lassie | hold 80 dear,
Though she wears no shoes nor shawl,
She's the prettiest Of them all.
None can be fairer or rarer than
Sarah,
Ny lassie frae Lancashire"
The American, walking leisurely
down the green English lane, paused
lnvoluntari.. as he heard the voice Of
the hidden singer, voice, though I'M
trained, SO rich and true and full OF
promise that the listener, who was no
mean Judge of voices, deemed it worth
his while to seek the owner OF the
magnificent tenor.
A turn in the lane brought him TO
another standstill, and he drew his
breath sharply at the beauty OF the
scene before him. An English apple
orchard, the trees laden with pink and
white petals which cleaned like rare
pearls in the morning sunshine,
stretched. 1t seemed, for miles. The
grass lay like velvet carpet beneath
the feet of the girl, who stood, bare
footed and pink-cheeked, with brown
hair streaming over her shoulder.
Pardon my intrusion. / was at.
trected by the singing. Might speak
with the owner Of the voice?"
Jack, lad, come tha down frae the
tree. A gentleman wants speech with
tha"
Jack. lad" descended hurriedly,
and stood, tall and strong and hand
some, looking at the American.
Good morning, Mr.. Singer" said
that individual. II heard you singing
as | strolled down the lane, and liked
your voice we'll enough to follow it un-
I'll found the owner. I'm a man OF
few words and much business. know
a voice when I hear one, and want
you to bring your voice to America.
America! Ny voice."
"Yes. You may not know IL, but
that voice is worth money to you. I'm
the manager of the biggest circuit or
vaudeville houses In the United
States, and I'll give you 10 pounds
week IL you'll come back with me and
sing that song you've Just been sing
ing, In my theatres"
Ten pounds week."
Eyes; so good American dollars
The young man stood stock-still-
saving never word-but the girl
turned to him with shining eyes: "Oh,
Jack lad, go; then tha can buy back
the old place that was tina feyther's
and tha grandfeyther's and tina great
grandfeyther's- long before in
the family. Go, lad"
Go. lass: wouldst tha have me
90? Oh, lass-whatever would | do
wi'out thar"
1T means our home, Jack-your
home-and mine; and. oh, lad, III
wait for tha-forever!"
America literally went wild" over
the Lancashire Lad" as Wyatt, the
vaudeville manager. billed his latest
find" The young Englishman soon
became "headhner"-with the ac-
companying high salary which attends
that much-coveted honor. Three years
In the theatrical world had changed
him little, and always before him was
a winsome face framed in wind-olown
hair
Wyatt. bubbling with excitement,
came one morning into his "headlin-
er's" dressing room. Say, old man,
he said. we've got something new
coming-somethlng English-youll be
glad TO hear. She'll share honors with
YOU. I reckon. She's a dancer-the
greatest that London has known for
years-young, too, and beautiful. Shes
none of your ordinary, short.skirted
high kickers, either-wears long. beau
tiful Grecian costumes and does
classic dancing Haven't seen her my
self yet-our English agent signed
her. She'll be here tonight"
When the new dancer had finished
her turn" there was absolute silence
IN the house for a second-then pro-
longed and deafening applause.
AS she turned back to bow her
thanks. the tenor, coming from his
dressing room, caught sight OF her.
His heart leaped to his throat-then
he stood and waited. When she came
of again he faced her.
"Jack. lad! lad" she cried-and IN
an instant was in his arms.
LASS. lass, what does 1t meanFT
he asked, wonderingly.
"Only dear lad, that the waiting
time seemed so long; ! wanted TO help
shorten il. My chance came-and here
I am. I couldn't tell you until was
sure of success. and now"
"Now-you're fsmous-the greatest
dancer London has known for years;
but to me"
I'm just your little Lancashire las
sic. Jack. lad"
The call came then for the head
liner'-and he sang again the song
which had first endeared him to Amer
team hearts. None can be fairer or
rarer than Sarah, my lassie frae Lam
cashire."
And those who heard him thought
he had never sung SO well.
Anticipation Safer Than Realization.
att is not always necessary to make
% lanr