The second one of my musical family to pass out of life was Miss Rose
Champion. As Jesus wept at the grave of his dear friend Lazarus, I
wept, that one so young and gifted should be taken away from her
little family of three beautiful girls, and a sweet-voiced singer
should be forever stilled. She began her lessons with me in 1897 and
continued until 1899. She was possessed of a clear, lyric soprano
voice and sang with ease and grace and with soulful touch she
fascinated the listener by her intelligent interpretation of song. I
predicted for her a future to be envied, but circumstances over which
I had no control came in the way of her future progress and she
unwillingly made a change and I never heard a song from her after
that. When she was married she sent for me to sing at her wedding at
her home. As I was ready to return to my home she came to me before
she went on her trip, and embraced me and said, "I knew you would
come, and you have made me most happy for I always loved you so. It
was not my fault that I left you." I told her I was sure of that and
that I sang for her with all my heart and the fact that she had sent
for me to perform the highest favor she could ask was sufficient proof
that she had been loyal to her first instructions. For several years
she lived happily as Mrs. James Lanyon. On April 21, 1908, I read with
the deepest regret the announcement of her death. Having met with an
accident I was not able to attend the funeral or to hear the story of
the taking away of such a bright, intelligent and young mother and
sweet singer, but there lingers a sweet memory which will last as long
as I live. When I think of her, I also think of what might have
been had circumstances decreed otherwise. It is to be hoped she may be
foremost in the songs of the Immortal Choir. Sweetly sleep, sweet
singer, until the Grand Amen of the Lost Chord shall be sung at the
last great day, with all the redeemed in the congregation of the
righteous.
[Illustration:
Gertrude Dowling
Inza Valentine
Mrs. Mary Kroh-Rodan
Stella Kiel
Anna Krueckle
Stella Valentine
Mrs. Caroline Louderback