The Minstrel's Melody Read Online Free PDF Page A

to bigger-problems if the wrong grown-ups found out.
    Orphelia breathed in deep and blew out her breath hard. “I’m so mad at Momma and Pearl I could spit fire! I was so mad last night that I called Pearl a liar to her face, and Momma about had a hissy fit. But at least she’s letting me come to watch the show tonight. Maybe Madame Meritta will sign my program and give me her address and let me write to her.”
    â€œBut what did Pearl do?”
    â€œDoesn’t matter. It’s done now.”
    â€œAll right, then don’t tell me.” For a moment Clementine sounded hurt. “Well, maybe Madame Meritta will have another talent show come through next year, and you can try then.”
    Miz Rutherford came to the school door and began ringing her handbell, signaling the start of school. Orphelia freed her arm from Clementine’s.
    â€œI’m not waiting until next year. I don’t know exactly when and I don’t know what, but I’m gonna do something about this—soon. You just watch me, Clementine.”

C HAPTER 3
    M ARVELOUS M ADAME M ERITTA

    From a distance, Orphelia could see that Calico Creek’s church and school yard were already crowded with people. It was barely six o’clock in the evening, and most of the pews and chairs brought outside from the church were full. The talent show was not scheduled to start until six-thirty. The stage—a platform of boards assembled by Reverend Rutherford, pastor of Calico Creek Missionary Baptist Church and Miz Rutherford’s husband—was at one side of the building. On the stage sat a trio of musicians on banjo, drums, and piano. They began playing “Jesus Loves Me,” and Orphelia hummed along.
    â€œSlow down and walk ladylike, Orphelia,” Momma called out behind her. “And straighten your bonnet before it slips off your head.”
    Orphelia slowed down a little without answering. She didn’t care if the bonnet fell completely off and got trampled in the dust. Having to wear a hot bonnet was like having to wear a padlock around her head. And being forced out of the talent show was like having a padlock around her heart.
    As she neared the yard she saw boys and girls wearing their best suits and dresses, carrying musical instruments and recital books. A boy she didn’t recognize wore a gray beard and a top hat. She guessed he was portraying Abraham Lincoln and would recite the Emancipation Proclamation or the Gettysburg Address. Somebody usually did in programs like these.
    When they found seats in a pew near the back of the seating section, Orphelia made sure to settle herself on the end by Poppa, with Momma and Pearl on the other side of him. That way she wouldn’t have to hear much of Momma’s criticisms of the show, or listen to Pearl’s chatter. Orphelia had hardly said a word to either one of them since last night.
    She patted sweat off her face with her bonnet strap and strained to see around the people sitting in front of her.
    Behind the stage, school, and church, Orphelia spied three horse-drawn wooden coaches painted blazing red and yellow. Written on each coach in black curlicue lettering was “Madame Meritta and Her Marvelous Traveling Troubadours.” Horses? No motorcar or rail? All of the newspaper stories Orphelia had read said that the entertainer had private railroad cars for her troupe of twenty musicians and assistants to eat and sleep in.
    Miz Rutherford stood by one of the coaches, talking to a tall, pretty, dark-skinned woman in a plain brown dress. That couldn’t be Madame Meritta, could it? Where were her boas and fancy gowns? Where was the rest of her show?
    Momma was wondering the same thing. “Is that all there is?” she asked Poppa. “The way some folks talk, you’d think this woman’s foot never touched the ground. Where’s all these fine musicians she’s supposed to have?”
    A man in the next pew turned