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Show EMMA ABBOTT'S FIRST CONCERT. A Graceful Account of the Early Struggles of the Noble Songstress. Mrs. Dr. McNeice, who attended the first concert in which Knima Abbott appeared, kindly furnishes Tub Times with the following graceful account of the event; . , Who knoweth what a day or a life may bring forth! WhenKmma Abbott was ten years old she appeared in her first concert. Her father, a music teacher in Peoria, Illinois, secured a school bouse in a coal mining region a few miles from the city, hoping to improve the finances of the family by the giving of a concert. The troope consisted of the father, a brother aged twelve aud little Emma. Upon the appointed evening the three reached the home of Mr. John Irwin, who had offered them the hospitality of his house for the night. They had walked the dusty road, a distance of two and a half miles, father and brother carrying guitar and violin, and Emma her little bundle of best clothes. After supper it was time for the little singer to make her preparations for the concert. con-cert. Sho laid aside the dark stuff dress in which she had walked, and donned a little light blue cotton with the simplest bow of ribbon at her neck. -'Do you think I look well enough?" was her anxious inquiry when the toilet was completed. Her delicate little blonde face was quite pleasing in her simple attire. Sweet modesty, with a desire to please was the impression made upon those who knew her then for the hist time. A mile's walk across country fields brought them to the school house. The house was tilled. Many men from the neighboring coal mines were present. The father and mother played their instruments, in-struments, the little girl "sang alone, sang with ber father and all sang together. to-gether. They were strangers to their audience. audi-ence. It was all sweet musio, and was enjoyed. But when the concert was declared "ended," there was an unsatisfied un-satisfied feeling by the majority of the audience, and a cry was made for "a song; John Patton, John Patton, a song;" and presently a big, burly miner i rose and sang several strains of "Paddy's "Pad-dy's Curiosity shop." He was loudly applauded, aud the people went home satisfied. Afterward little sensitive Kmma repeated re-peated regretfully, "I don't believe the people liked our concert, for they clapped more for that big man than they did for any of our singing." Her right to sing has been vindicated by all tho world since then. The next day the little party returned home, carrying their instruments and concert wardrobe, richer by a few dollars. |