The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
By MYRTLE ALLIES

Eeida Humphreys singing last sum mer when, In Birmingham for visit to
 her cousin, Miss Louise Humphrey. she yielded to the request for a selection be-
 fore the Music Study club and another at
 tte morning service of the Five Points Methodist church, left room only for ad-
 miration On the former occasion her audience had opportunity to give vent to their enthusiasm aroused by her voice, and were ardent and effusive in their
 praise. At that time Miss Humphreys voice and singing, fine as they were, were hardly sufficient for concert career; since then to the lyric quality has been
 added a strong ratura timbre, her vocal development Is nothing less than won derful, and she has appeared repeatedly before the most critical assemblies with rare success Beginning with trium- plant concert recital during the late win ter. -her story has had success as It's mo- sif leaving her apartment in New York, che occasionally runs away from lessons and routine to appear in recital at some home of wealth or fashion. where house parties are in session and where the charm of her personality has given her
 
 popular demand for such work, and 1t has been most congenial bringing to her girlish and charming relaxation from her serious work.
 During an hour in her apartment while 3n New York recently, l learned what 1t really means to become a singer. For in the routine of work, work, work, that this young Alabamian is following, it be- came apparent that fame exacts big pay ment surely!
 Miss Humphrey lives with her cousin, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller,a in a lovely apart 1nent out on West End avenue. They have surrounded themselves with things artistic, so that the place itself is an in- spiration to young student. Mrs. Miller is her adopted mother having several years ago recognized her wonderful pos abilities and agreed to give her every ad- vantage. Knowing this older woman, one is not surprised that the girl, Neida. is developing sweetness. nobility of charac- ter strength of body and intellect, and art! If every student could be directed with such wisdom and such affection, surely great singers would not be so few.
 Mrs. Miller is so frail that one fancies the vividness of her body has been given to the nourishment of her brain her big, glowing eyes mirror an extraordinary in- tellect. With only son married and living In Texas, she finds it possible to b future, and the generosity of her giving is both beautiful and unique In response to luncheon invitation, I had left my gloves and coat in one of those nfintes- imal hooks of New York apartment house, craftily coaxed into a bedroom with the daintiest of French enamel fit tings, and entered the living room with /Mrs. Miller, when Miss Humphrey came breezily in to chat a few moments and disappeared. This summer we have been without a maid" placidly remarked my hostess "and Neida has gone to prepare luncheon" Then as though that were a usual proceeding for modern song bird, she drifted again into discussion of her protege's career
 "When you hear Neida sing you will realize what Caruso has done for her since you heard her sing last summer She has been under his instruction just 10 months. He was a great singer in Italy before he became singer, and | when you go to his studio l want you to see his opera costumes. He has kept them | all, and they include the clothing worn in | all of the great baritone roles. Neida goes | for her lesson every day at 2:30. Satur- l days during the summer months we run | out to the country place of one of our | friends to spend the week end My Neida | must have breath of fresh sea air oc- casionaly, for she works so steadily, and | this is her only chance for t.''
 Then she related the incidents that make | up the days of the student for grand l opera, the lessons in French, German and Italian. The other singers she must hear, the operas she must mcmorize. Neida Humphrey has mastered z6 roles, ''l wish | my girl to be not singer merely, but a woman of splendid character-a fine wom- an! So am teaching her that life means self sacrifice and hard work as we'll as achievement and fame.
 She has never had a sorrow but she | will; they always come. and the heart aches bring their own recoinpense to art. My chief reason this summer for keeping no maid is that I wish Neda 10 learn to be good houseSeeper; she knew noth- ing about cooking. and I wished her to learn that" (The delightful luncheon that presently appeared in the dining room proved that she hadD Mrs Miller con tinued. Not long ago. after prasng an exceptionally good dish that she had just