Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1916 — HER WONDERFUL VOICE [ARTICLE]

HER WONDERFUL VOICE

Scene —Mrs. Somerville-Brown’s reception rooms. Miss Anne Dantle has just finished a Richard Strauss composition on the piano to the applause—not boisterous —of the company. Mrs. Bollister, a stout lady in pink crepe and diamonds!, is conversing with Egbert Plinsymons, a pale youth with a reputation for intellectuality. Som-grville-Brown is resuming his discus, sion of the cotton campaign with Bollister. Miss Cora Bollister, a young woman with a swanlike neck and an effect of dreaminess, is gazing soulfully at Thomas Somerville-Brown, Jr., who seems to be having trouble with hie collar. The soulfulness, hpwever, is merely an expression of the Emotions aroused in her by the music, and is not to be personally applied. Mrs. Somerville-Brown has left Patterson Huyp, who is the essence of politeness, to offer her congratulations and thanks to the pianist. Other guests are expressing one to the other their enjoyment of Miss Dantie’s performance — with one or two confidential exceptions. Mrs. Somerville-Brown —That was simply exquisite, my dear —delightful!

Miss Bollister —Don’t you adore Strauss? Thomas Somerville-Brown, Jr. — Well, to tell you the truth, I’m not daffy on him. It sounded like a Chinese orchestra to me. Miss Bolster —Oh, you are thinking of JohMm. This was Richard Strauss. You\would love his songs. Pllnsymops —There is*a*°3ubtle quality in the chords that defies successful analysis; not exactly emotional, because he is, above all things, intellectual. His music appeals to the intellect especially. I find it so myself. Have you ever studied the theory of tones? Mrs. Bollister —No, I haven’t, but Cora has. She’s studied about everything there is in music. She took lessons of Hocksiewitz, you know. He charged awfully, but I didn’t care anything about the price. You haven’t heard her eing, have you? Bollister You never heard Com sing, did you? Excuse me; you were going to say— Mrs. Somerville-Brown —Yes she has a voice. I’d be the last to deny IL So has the man who calls “Rags, old iron” in the alley. This parental pride is an awful thing, Mr. Huyp. Huyp—But Miss Bollister’s voice is rather —er — Really very much so,, don’t you know. Mrs. Somerville-Brown Well, they’ve been hinting to have me ask her to sing all evening, but I simply will not Thomas Somerville-Brown, Jr. Mother, I think If you asked Miss Bollister she might sing for us. She sings you know. Mrs. Someville-Brown —Yes, I know and I think I might prevail on her to favor us. Now, you run back to her and— Did you say you were going to ask me to make her? No? Then that’s all right Take her to the conservatory. Plinsymons—Mrs. Somerville-Brown, you are giving us a most delightful evening. The mental atmosphere is positively refreshing. Miss Bollister plays and sings, I hear. Couldn’t you Induce her— Mrs. Somerville-Brown —I wish I could, but the dear child is so excessively timid that I know it would be positive torture to her and J really haven’* the heart to ask her.

Somerville-Brown —See here, Mary, aren’t you going to ask that little Bollister girl to sing? Bollister tells me she’s a wonder, and I think the crowd needs chirking up. Mrs. Somerville Brown —Tom, I think you’re all in a conspiracy to drive me frantic. I’m trying to find Herr Gelneplatz to get him to play, and everybody Is bothering me to ask Miss Bollister to sing. Somerville-Brown —Then why don’t you? Mrs. Somerville-Brown Because they never heard her, and I want the evening to be a success. Herr Gelneplatz—l has joost hear dat ypu vere looking vor me. Mees Bollister, who vas a bupil ohs Hochslewltz — Mrs. Somerville-Brown —Wants to sing. Well, I suppose— Where Is she? Herr Geineplatz—l vlll be jarmed to blay de aggompaniment. Mrs. Somerville-Brown —So good of you! Oh, here she is now! You bad girl, where have you been hiding yourself? We want you to sing to us. Now, there’s no use saying you can’t sing, or that you are out of practice or that you would be ashamed to before so many accomplished musicians. We know all about that Huyp—What a wonderful expression —and what a voice! Bollister—lt ain’t bad, judges tell ' me. I’m not musical myself, but I know the money I’ve spent on her musical education ought to bring some returns. Mrs. Somerville-Brown—Well, it isn’t often one hears anything like that! I should think you wdold be pioud dl her, MTs. Bollister. Mrs. Bollister—l am. - Americans drink much more water than do the people of Great Britain