Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-27
THE TAMBOURINE GIRL

BOURNE, she wandered, unthinking,
past the stores, past the hotels, far
out to the streets of the homes. Sing
ing, she went on, not noticing, mus
ing with her thoughts far away, till
she came to a beautiful street where
were great houses with grassy lawns,
and flowers and trees. She looked up
through the branches to the blue sky,
and the great Wilderness of heaven. She
had never seen anything like it be-
fore. Her heart thrilled and she stood
still, gazing, wondering. She had
never in all her little life seen world
like this, and never knew it was so
beautiful!
Suddenly above her head a bird
thrilled. Unconsciously she answered
the note. Back and forth the tones
vibrated, the bird trilltng, the girl
answering, till they seemed as one.
The beauty thrilled her and she knew
not that others saw, that she was OBJ
served from a house near by, and that
they were listening.
Someone touched her arm and she
turned, though not in fright
"Wil you come into the house? The
master wants to see you" said the
servant.
Unabashed, she followed. 1t was a
beautiful home and it filled her with
delight. The velvet carpet was soft
to her little feet, used to the dust
and gravel of the street. Beautiful
statuary stood in the hallway. and
there were pictures; she noticed those
the most. There was one with the
sweet face of a mother. The babe in
her arms was the Christ Child, she
knew, for it was like what she saw
at church.
A lady with a kind face took her
hand. She was dressed in silk and
wore diamonds. Come with me-" she
urged, kindly, and led her into a room
filled with light and beauty. In the
center stood a grand piano with white
ivory keys and Tessa longed to touch
them. Then the master spoke to her:
"You sing, my child-you sing the
songs Of my country that l love I
heard you on the street. Come. we
will sing them together"
His hands moved softly over the
keys while she sang for him song
after song, with pure, true tones and
touching sweetness.
He paused and threw his arms about
her in rapture, crying:-
You can sing! You will be great
I will teach you! You must sing no
more on the street,"
But my mother would starveH
cried the child, frightened, and Reta
and the baby! There is no one but
me to bring in the money. 1 must
get the pennies!"
Your mother shall have money and
food" he cried. 81 will give them
money. You Will learn; Lnen you Will
sing to crowds and you will earn
much mouey-piles of money. You
can buy fine house for your mother
and the little ones"
Tessa's heart beat fast. May 1
sing, always?" she gasped, her dark
eyes burning with intensity.
Yes, always"
GO home.'' he said. land tell your
mother Come to me tomorrow at
eleven for your first lesson"
Tessa FASTENED homeward, flushed
and happy, hardly realizing what it
was that had come to her. She was
so thrilled she forgot to sing.
''Mother!" she exclaimed, "see -
money!" She poured out great pile
into her mothers lap" Il shall sing
the master will teach mel"
Child, what is it?" asked the puz-
zled mother, and Tessa told her all.
Tears that had stood in her eyes I'M
shed rolled down the woman's cheeks,
but they were tears of joy, not of sor-
row.-Boston Record.