And told her stories many a one
Concerning the French war lately done.
And oft together the two friends were,
And many the arts he had taught to her;
She had hunted by his fatherly side,
He had shown her how to fence and ride;
And once had said, “The time may be,
Your skill and courage may stand by me.”
So sorrow for him she could but feel,
Brave, grateful-hearted Jennie McNeal.
5. With never a thought or a moment more,
Bare-headed she slipp'd from the cottage door,
Ran out where the horses were left to feed,
Unhitch'd and mounted the captain's steed,
And down the hilly and rock-strewn way
She urged the fiery horse of gray.
Around her slender and cloakless form
Patter'd and moan'd the ceaseless storm;
Secure and tight a gloveless hand
Grasp'd the reins with stern command;
And full and black her long hair stream'd,
Whenever the ragged lightning gleam'd.
And on she rush'd for the colonel's weal,
Brave, lioness-hearted Jennie McNeal.
6. Hark! from the hills, a moment mute,
Came a clatter of hoofs in hot pursuit;
And a cry from the foremost trooper said,
"Halt! or your blood be on your head!"
She heeded it not, and not in vain
She lash'd the horse with the bridle rein;
So into the night the gray horse strode;
His shoes hew'd fire from the rocky road;
And the high-born courage that never dies
Flash'd from his rider's coal-black eyes;
The pebbles flew from the fearful race;
The rain-drops grasp'd at her glowing face.
"On, on, brave beast!" with loud appeal,
Cried eager, resolute Jennie McNeal.
once more came the voice of dread;
"Halt! or your blood be on your head!"
Then, no one answering to the calls,
Sped after her a volley of balls.
They pass'd her in her rapid flight,
They scream'd to her left, they scream'd to her right:
But, rushing still o'er the slippery track,
She sent no token of answer back,
Except a silvery laughter peal,
Brave, merry-hearted Jennie McNeal.
7. So on she rush'd at her own good will,
Through wood and valley, o'er plain and hill:
The gray horse did his duty well,
Till all at once he stumbled and fell,
Himself escaping the nets of harm,
But flinging the girl with a broken arm.
Still undismay'd by the numbing pain,
She clung to the horse's bridle rein,
And gently bidding him to stand,
Petted him with her able hand;
Then sprung again to the saddle bow,
And shouted, "One more trial now!"
As if ashamed of the heedless fall,
He gather'd his strength once more for all,
And, galloping down a hill-side steep,
Gain'd on the troopers at every leap;
No more the high-bred steed did reel,
But ran his best for Jennie McNeal.
8. They were a furlong behind or more,
When the girl burst through the colonel's door,—
Her poor arm helpless hanging with pain,
And she all drabbled and drench'd with rain,
But her cheeks as red as fire-brands are,
And her eyes as bright as a blazing star,—
And shouted, "Quick! be quick, I say!
They come! they come! away! away!"
Then sunk on the rude white floor of deal
Poor, brave, exhausted Jennie McNeal.
9. The startled colonel sprung, and press'd
The wife and children to his breast,
And turn'd away from his fireside bright,
And glided into the stormy night;
Then soon and safely made his way
To where the patriot army lay.
But first he bent in the dim fire-light,
And kiss'd the forehead broad and white,
And blessed the girl who had ridden so well
To keep him out of a prison cell.
The girl roused up at the martial din,
Just as the troopers came rushing in,
And laugh'd e'en in the midst of a moan,
Saying, "Good sirs, your bird has flown:
"Tis I who have scared him from his nest;
So deal with me now as you think best."
But the grand young captain bow'd, and said,
"Never you hold a moment's dread:
Of womankind I must crown you queen;
So brave a girl I have never seen:
Wear this gold ring as your valor's due;
And when peace comes I will come for you."
But Jennie's face an arch smile wore,
As she said, "There's a lad in Putnam's corps,
Who told me the same, long time ago;
You two would never agree, I know:
I promised my love to be true as steel,”
Said good, sure-hearted Jennie McNeal.
1. Define Radical Stress.
2. With what Forms of voice can it be given?
3. Describe the position and action of the vocal organs in the production of Radical Stress.
4. Mention some of the advantages of Radical Stress.
5. What does Dr. Rush say of it? What Murdock and Russell? 6. When should Radical Stress be used?
7. What is the difference between Expulsive Form and Radical
8. What between Explosive Form and Radical Stress?
(The seventh and eighth questions are not directly answered in the book.)
9. Why does the selection require Radical Stress?
10. Why Energetic Force?
11. Why Pure Tone?
12. Why Expulsive Form?
13. What words in the selection require Explosive Form? Why?
14. What require Aspirate Quality? Why?
5. Selection. "The Ride of Jennie McNeal."
Definition.
Illustration.
Advantages.
How Acquired.
Class Exercise.
When Used.
Example.
1. No nation need despair.
2. No man knows the future.
3. Name not the gods, thou boy of tears. 4. Now none so poor to do him reverence.
5. Napoleon's noble nature knew no niggardly notions.
The Final Stress is the application of the force of the voice to the last part of the word or sound.
The force, at first but slight, is gradually increased, until it closes in an abrupt and violent sound. In its effect on the ear it is not unlike the report of a pistol when it hangs fire.
ADVANTAGES OF FINAL STRESS.
It is the Final Stress that gives intensity to determined purpose, earnest resolve, stern rebuke, and manly protest. Without this element they become feeble and contemptible.
To acquire control of this style of Stress practice the elements and words as directed. Repeat each of the elements, beginning with a slight sound, which gradually increase, and close with an abrupt and forcible utterance. EXERCISES IN FINAL STRESS.
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