The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1916-03-02
the SINGING TEACHER
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Inv uAASA6 away WHICH, oA0 AoNOO A0A
grown-up school. How different from
the little girls and boys of daylight!
To her surprise, quite q number OF
the men were foreigners who knew
very little of the English language.
But their wholesome respect for her
put metal into her purpose and fight.
ing blood into her veins.
There was one man in the room who
puzzled Viola. He went by the name
Of Joe Brown. One thing she OWNED
instantly-he was a gentleman; in
fact, he had the manners of an aris-
tocrat. But the thing that drew her
to him from the first was his wonder
ful voice. For Viola insisted upon hav-
ing singing. For fifteen minutes every
evening the halls of the old building
reverberated with the echoes of mas.
culine voices.
And Joe Brown led them all. His
voice was clear and deep and full
Of passionate appeal that gripped the
heart of the little teacher.
One evening she called him to her.
Joe, I know you are lot an Ameri.
can. Won't you sing a song for us
in your own language? You have a
wonderful voice"
Joe flushed happily and bowed low.
with the most pleasure, Miss North.
cott." He spoke slowly. picking his
words with care, but he seldom made
a grammatical error and was fast
overcoming his foreign accent. q
am German"
Joe Brown sang and it was so won.
derful-the mellowness and richness
of his voice. the feeling with which
he sang, and as Viola's quick ear
noted, the wonderful training he
showed-that for some time after he
had finished no one stirred.
Behind the tears in his pretty
teachers eyes was q look of interest
that had been there before.
The school did famously. Viola
worked hard with her class and daily
the lessons became less irksome and
more interesting. Then there was an
innovation to which the pupils looked
forward eagerly, for every evening
Joe sang for them.
One night after the class was dis.
missed, Viola opened the street door
to go home. Suddenly a gust Of wind
dashed fine sleet into her face and
the wind tried to lift her off her feet.
Then a man stepped out Of the
shadow.
May l go home with you. Miss
Northcott? 1t is a bad night"
Viola laid a hand gratefully upon
his proffered arm. Yes, indeed, Joe.
1t was good of you to wait"
After that there was little chance
for them to talk. The storm increased
In violence, and, even with her es.
cort's help, it was all she could do
to keep her feet. When at last they
reached her door she insisted upon
him going in. You must come in and
wait, Joe. No one can live in that
blizzard. I'm going to call mother to
hear you sing. You don't mind, do
you? will play your accompani.
ments."
So Joe stayed and sang so wonder.
fully that both Viola and her mother
were thrilled.
Then Viola told him Of her own
ambition-how she had stopped her
musical education for lack of money
to go further. and her determination
to work day and night until she had
enough money to have lessons Of the
wonderful Max vCn Deerhof.
,AJ,v nor noorIoPIj ho cr{o1
Yes! DO you know him?"
Very, very we'll, Miss Northcott. l
was thinking how happy he would be
to have you for a pupil"
Il WONDER" he went on, turning to
her mother, IF may give Miss
Northcott some lessons on Saturday
If she can spare me a little time.
teach music myself"
So Viola's Saturday lessons began,
and she Don discovered that her
teacher was a marvel. Under his guild.
ance her voice expanded and became
exquisitely beautiful. The cold weeks
flew and April came. The days of
night school were numbered.
The last night it was raining, a
drenching April shower. When Viola
appeared in the doorway Joe was
waiting to take her home.
Miss Northcott." he began almost
Immediately when he had suited his
step to hers. you aren't my teacher
any longer, but with your consent I'll
remain yours, It's time, too. that l was
telling you my right name. am Max
Won Deerhof, or do you know it al
ready?"
Viola was silent, too amazed for
speech.
He went on. Il know what you are
thinking, wondering rather. Well, ]
will tell you. l could not learn Eng
lish well. l had teachers by the
dozen. No good! Then someone said
DO like the others. Go to a good
night school. They will make you
Learnt So l made my name into Joe
Brown, and Joe Brown Is 80 grateful