Come Saturday night, they were packing them in. They had to bring in extra seating. The first item on the program was Phoebe and her sister in a duet. Phoebe’s choice was ‘Pennies from Heaven’. Once they were halfway through, Phoebe put her hand into her pocket. When it came to ‘Pennies from Heaven’, she threw a big handful of confetti up in the air. The audience loved it. When she and Esther took their seats on the platform, big Harry Harrison, who was supervising the seating of patrons as they came in, whispered to Phoebe.
“Nancy told me to tell you that Trevor and Joanne were in the building.”
Phoebe asked Harry if Nancy was with them.
“I think so.”
“Well, Harry, you go out there right away so as I can see exactly where they are seated.”
When Phoebe saw where they were seated, she gave a small arm signal of recognition. Phoebe and Andy Craig had disappeared behind the big curtain. Dell came forward on the platform with his paper in his hand.
“The next item on our program is the Highland Fling by Phoebe Croiner and Andy Craig.”
Big Clifford Reed was very visible with his pipes, fully decked out in his Scottish kilts. Dell turned to Clifford and said, “Now, Clifford, it is all yours.”
Big Clifford stood up as straight as a Scotch pine and filled the lungs of his pipes with air. Clifford struck up the music. First, with large halting slow steps, he played a Scottish lament. He crossed the platform three times. Then he made his way slowly behind the curtain. The music suddenly switched to ‘Bonny Mary of Argyle’.
Out in the open again, Clifford appeared leading Andy and Phoebe, hand in hand, attired in their scotch regalia. Clifford piped them all around the stage, stopping at center stage. Phoebe and Andy split, took two steps apart and made graceful bow to each other. Clifford, who has been playing very low key, switched to high pitch. Then the pair of dancers were off like show horses in the show ring.
They were a sight to behold. You would swear that Phoebe had springs in her shoes, touching each other’s hands high in the air as they maneuvered past and around each other. This went on for nearly twelve minutes when Clifford struck some preconceived notes. Then they danced around the piper and vice versa. Phoebe took the lead, dancing around the perimeter of the platform for maybe twice, the dancers leading the piper, as the piper followed the dancers to behind the curtain to oblivion with fading skirling of the pipes to a wisp of a skirl. The three participants came out and the applause was thunderous. The three gave a very graceful bow as the applause kept continuing. Trevor and Joanne were getting a taste of country rousing cordiality.
Dell came forward with a paper in his hand.
“Wasn’t that great, folks. Maybe we can have them back in before milking time. Well, folks, we are about halfway through our program. Now, as this is a fundraising concert, we would like to fill you in on our progress. Up to the present time, counting tonight’s receipts, we have raised in that time period of three months eleven thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven dollars. But that is not all. I think that Rev. Liddle has a few more dollars to add. Over to you Rev.Liddle.”
The reverend rose to his feet and said that certain people had put him in a precarious position.
“We have heard Phoebe and Esther sing ‘Pennies from Heaven’. That’s a very suitable piece to compare with what I am about to tell you. Through the efforts and talents of Phoebe Croiner, or whatever else, the churchwardens and the fundraising committee feel that she has to have some recognition for this, as the sister says, ‘Pennies from Heaven’. She is so modest that she says it didn’t cost her a cent and for us to forget about the whole affair.”
The reverend went on, “Phoebe said that there are a lot of fine people that we do not know who deserve the bulk of the credit. Phoebe told me to tell you that we took last month’s collection and bought twenty Irish Sweepstakes tickets and got lucky.”
The Irish Sweepstakes was large lottery in Ireland promoted internationally to benefit Irish hospitals. Ticket stubs, tossed in a barrel, were matched with the name of a horse running in a major Irish or British race. The largest prizes went to ticket holders whose horses won, placed, or showed. Though illegal in Canada and the United States at the time, large numbers of tickets were sold by trusted contacts and most of the lottery revenue did, in fact, come from North America.
Boy, did the crowd have a laugh at that. Phoebe told the reverend to hold it for a minute. She leaped off the platform like a panther, hightailed it down the aisle to Trevor and Joanne and said. “Come up here and get me off the hook.”
Trevor said, “Here is grandfather. He wanted to see you on your home turf.”
Phoebe said, “I’m awfully pleased to see you, Mr. Hazleton.” In the rush, Phoebe had no time for greetings. She said it to Nancy, “Take care of Mr. Hazelton until we get more time.”
Trevor and Joanne followed Phoebe up the aisle. Both being university graduates, they were impressive as they followed Phoebe. On stage, Phoebe introduced them to Rev. Liddle and Dell. The three faced the audience.
Phoebe said, “This is Miss Joanne Arliss and Mr. Trevor Hazelton. Members of our congregation and friends here tonight, if Mr. Liddle and anyone wants to know the source of the money that I brought back with me from Toronto, ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at them. How about it, friends.”
She turned into Trevor and Joanne, started to clap her hands and the crowd followed. She sidled over to Rev. Little and said, “See how I got myself off the hook.”
The reverend said, “Phoebe, you are unpredictable.”
Then the reverend went over to Trevor and Joanne asked them if they would like to say a few words to the audience.
Trevor said, “Rev. Liddle, do you think we should? We didn’t come down here to participate.”
“Well, I think you should. If you don’t, Phoebe, will think of something to get you to your feet sooner or later.
Mr. Liddle told the audience that, “This young couple, according to Phoebe, were instrumental into raising this money for our church and all I can say to them is God bless you.”
Trevor began, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is an honor for us to say a few words to you. We never expected to have this honor. I must tell you an anecdote. First of all, my grandfather is down here in the audience. When Phoebe was in the city, her and my grandfather became kind of pally. She told us that she had to be so sedate up here in Toronto, that she had to be careful and not to make a blunder. She told granddad it was a lot different down here on her home turf. Somehow or other that it amused him. When we told him that we were going to drive all the way to attend Phoebes church concert, granddad asked if he could come with us. He said that he would just love to see that girl on her home turf.”
“Well, Phoebe was guest soloist soprano at our church’s 180th anniversary. Joanne and I heard that it was Phoebe’s first visit to Toronto. We thought if we could show her a little of Toronto it would be a treat for us and hopefully for her as well. Mr. Gilson, the choirmaster who introduced to Phoebe, assured Phoebe that she was in good company.”
“Many, many parishioners wanted to shake Phoebe’s hand. She said that she hadn’t time to hang around after the service as her father and mother were there for the service. When it was suggested that they stay overnight, Phoebe said no way. She said that the two neighbors that were driving them had cows to milk and calves to feed.”
“She nonchalantly said, ‘I’ll bet that when Dell gets out of bed in the morning his braces will still be swinging.’ She gave Joanna and I her phone number and was off. Sometime later, after a lot of persuasion and answering a lot of questions concerning this club that we wanted to take Phoebe to, her hostess was very protective of her Phoebe. What’s was the dress code and morals etc. It wasn’t one of those clubs where the female entertainers could mail home their dress in the envelope.”
“When I told her the names of two of our church members who belonged, Phoebe’s hostess felt more assured. When I told her that my parents, Joanne’s parents, also my grandparents would also be there, Phoebe’s hostess solemnly apologized for having to ask such personal questions. “You see, Phoebe isn’t used to this type of city life and I’m making sure of her safety.”
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