The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1839-09-26
From, Colman's Monthly Miscellany.
CHRISTOPHER CROTCHET,


ii 4 TT-or, colman's Monthly Miscellany.
=. CHRISTOPHER CROTCHET,
70 ,,c1NG-MAsTER.--BY sEBA SMITH.
Your New England country sing
;oa.master is a peculiar character:
m ,r1o shall venture to describe him?-
] Tnr;na his stay in a country village,
he i tie most important parsonage in
I The common schoo!master to be
!. sre. is "a man of dignity and impor-
J. lance. Children never pass him on
! he road, without turning square round
]. mlns Off their hats, and making one
fthsir best and most profound bows.
ltsis looked up to with universal de-
4 ference, both by young and old. and
i often invited out to tea. Or, if be
. boards round,' great is the parade,
and great the preparation by each ia
lnly, when their week for boarding
Ibe master draws near. Then not un-
Irequently a well fatted porker is kill
leland the spare ribs are duly hung
pund the pantry in readiness for
roasting. A half bushel of sausages
are made up into 'links,' and suspend
ed on pole near the ceiling from one
end Of the kitchen to the other. And
the Saturday beforehand, if the school
master is to come on Monday, the
work Of preparation reaches it's crisis.
Then it's, that the old oven, if it be
mot heated seven times hotter than it
Twas won't to be- is at least heated Sc
ven times; and apple pies, and pump.
Kin pies, and mince pies are turned
by the dozens, and packed away
Incloset and cellar for the coming
week. And the 'fore-room,' which
has not had a fire in it for the winter,
Isnow duly washed and scrubbed and
fnt to rights, and wood is heaped on
lhe fire with liberal hand, till the
inom itself becomes about another
loven. George is up betimes on Mon
ldaymorning to go with his hand sled
andbrng the masters trunk; Besey
aaSally are rugged out in their best
calico gowns, the little ones have their
faces washed and their hair conbed
with more than ordinary care, and the
mothers cap has an extra crimp.-
Andall this stir and preparation for
the comnlon school master. And vet
ne is but an every day planet, that
moves in a regular orbit, and comes
round atleast every winter.
But the singing master is your com
ct. Appearing at no regular inter-
Vas; he comes suddenly and often I'M
Expected. Brilliant, mysterious and
cratic, no wonder that he attracts
all eyes, and produces tremendous
sensation. No. only the children, but
me whole family, flock to the win
COWS when he passes, and a face may
pe seen at every pane of glass, eager
YPeerlng out to catch a glimpse Of
ae singing master. Even the very
a0ss seem to partake of the awe he
rsplres, and bark with uncommon
asaceness whenever they meet him.
y father, said little Jimmy Brown
. ae came running into the house on
scad December night, with eyes star
1S VIDE open, and painting for breath,
y,. ' Mr.. Christopher Crotches,
n Quayer Town, is over to Mr..
aDo's tavern, come to see about keep
" slngging-school; and Mr.. Gibbs
sau whole parcel more OF 'em, wants
Y; aou g came right over there, cause
yre goin' to have meeting this
s'sa'rg to see about hiring Of him.
oa9Fe Brown and his family, all ex.
ssP. ylmIny, were sealed round the
upper ~ table when this interesting
! Esce q intelligence was announced,
ea,'a one q saw save Squire Brown himself
eve s sudden start, and at once sus.
p Sh operations; but the Squire
na, was very moderate man, ane
~ aes q. qua any thing from impulse, ate
- m y. turning g his head. or chang
| han ~ poslllo %, After short pause
tanss sei, winch % was moment Of in
; snse anxiety some members Of the
lousy ne replied to Jimmy as fol
wan. snan'ts DO no SIGH thing; if they
i tbs, singing school they may ge
d i A singing-school won
d ~. Y no good, and I've ways enough
~ Rsnd my money without payin.