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212 Payne had heard her sing, at a memorial meeting, a song called "Departed Days," he arose and said. "That child's parents had better spend a hundred dollars on her voice now than leave her a fortune when they die."

For several years Miss Tilghman was leading soprano of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church choir, and was one of Washington's favorite prima donnas, appearing in concerts with Madam Selika, Madam Nellie Brown Mitchell, Miss Adelaide G. Smith, and other prominent singers, although at that time she was very young. In December, 1880, she was engaged to sing in New York, and the National Era, a paper published at that time, in speaking of her singing, said this:

In June, 1881, Miss Tilghman was communicated with and engaged as prima donna of the Sangerfaest, held in the Grand Opera House in lyouisville, Ky. , where she sang four consecutive nights amid great applause, and won for herself and her race laurels as a singer that can never fade. It was there that Miss Tilghman first saw the cantata of Queen Esther rendered, and she came back to Washington, gathered together the best musical talent and presented it upon the stage at Ivincoln Hall, taking the character of Queen Esther, accompanied by nearly one hundred voices, full orchestra, and beautiful