Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-02-24
MELODY ANN
By FRANcn 5 z. ooooRIcH.

Melody Ann sat 90 The back stel
1 looking across the mist-flled valley
5 A. usual She WIS singing, otherwis
she would not haze been Melody Ann
"Nhsn Melody Ann takes them higl
. notes il makes shivefs 80 right "a
your backbone said Deacon Brown
and tie other villagers agreed wltl
him.
"'io0 bad Melody Ann Is so odd,
they said. III sled only dress her
self up bit and not look 50 gawSy
she might get fellow as well as The
other girls; but. lands sake, al she
thinks Of Is getting OFF BY herself
somewhere and singing
She was odd. When the other young
people were enjoying themselves with
lively country amusemems Melody
Ann was roaming through the woods
or by The sea, singing in her high.
unframed voice.
Tie mist slowly dissolved itself IN
pink, glistenlng dawn, and Melody Ana
caught her breath for a moment with
the beauty and mystery Of It, Then,
Ike q bird carolling the new day her
voice rose sweet aud piercing in a
hymn Of praise.
She did not hear the automobile
that stopped by the gate, nor see the
heayily-built, black.bearded man who
left the car and walked toward the
back Of the house, so she was much
startled when gruff voice said Great
Do that over again. girl" Jumping
up, she looked into black eyes that
shOne with eagerness. She stood look
Ing at the stranger In astonishment.
when his impatient command again
broke his silence. "But-but--I don't
know what | was singing" STAN
mered Melody Ann. 81 just sing that
way most all the time"
swell. you can sing the scale. can't
your he asked.
"Oh, yes, sir. We are taught TO
sing that way In school," and, always
glad TO oblige when she could, she
sang the scale. Then an octave high
err. then still higher, but the man
raised his hand. "rhat will do Where
are your parents? | want to see
them'
my father and mother are dead and |
| live with grandmother Won't you
come imp and she led the way into |
the little kitchen, where the table was
laid for breakfast. Mrs. Carwin APP |
peared and with simple hospitality |
made a place for the stranger at the !
table.
With shy amazement Melody Ann |
heard him tell her grandmother that
her voice was a remarkable one. 1t |
was his business to fnd and train just
such voices as Melody AIMS.
Mrs. Carwin listened eagerly; then
with tears In her eyes slowly shook
her head. II know her voice Is DIFF
ferent from most. but we haven't any
Perhaps as soon as she gets to work
herself she can earn a little and take
lessons"
But the man shook his head lmpa-
tiently. "Poof we cannot walt until
she can earn the money. The time TO
start this training Is now, and the
money will be provided. In New York
there Is man Of great wealth who
gives literally to train such girls as
your granddaughter"
That evening the little house over
looking the valley was closed and Mrs.
'arwin and Melody Ann went away in
he big ear to a new life
Then began work such MS Melody
Ann had never dreamed Of There
we're many nights when she crept into
red, wishing with all her heart she
was back in the little house on the
iil. singing Just as She liked.
For some time a Thought had trou-
Ned Melody Ann. Ii seemed SO un-
rateful not To see her benefaetor and
hank him, even II he would have to
wait long time until she could re-
my him She preached The subject 10
he teacher. but he discouraged it.
Wau until your FIRST public appear
nee and then you shall meet him."
a l'l
40 last the day. the hour. the mo-
ient and Melody Ann. ga a simple
rock % white, stodl alone before that
Nayins sea of faces. A strange faint
css held her for nn Instant. then the
rcheslra began the familiar air. the ,
ices faded and before her lay the 4
H