Page:Women of distinction.djvu/129

Rh . This lady became her first music teacher. Diligently pursuing her studies, she made rapid progress. Being induced to take part in occasional school and other concerts, our subject soon became quite prominent in Dover as a vocalist, and was engaged in 1865 to sing in the choir of the Free-will Baptist Church of that city. Here she remained until November, 1872, at which time, having learned of Miss Brown's fine vocal powers, the members of Grace Church, Haverhill, Mass., earnestly invited her to become the leading soprano in their choir, offering her a liberal salary, besides the payment of her traveling expenses twice each week between Dover and Haverhill. This very complimentary invitation she accepted, and for four years her fine singing and engaging manners rendered her deservedly popular with the members and attendants of the church mentioned—people of fine Christian and general culture, before whom, in the public halls, she sang on several occasions.

In writing to a friend once she said, "My motto is 'Excelsior.' I am resolved to give myself up wholly to the study of music and endeavor, in spite of obstacles, to become an accomplished artist."

In keeping with this view she applied herself assiduously and soon entered the New England Conservatory of Music, and was soon invited by the manager to take part in the quarterly concert. Mr. Trotter says: