Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-29

out say a word, he took pen and deliberately
subscribed five dollars. That settled the business
the desired sum was raised, and the school Wa
10 60 ahead. IL was agreed that il should com
mence on the following evening, and that Mr.
Crolchet should board with Mr.. Gibbs one week
with the Squire the next, aud 50 90 round through
the neighborhood
On the following day there was no small CON-
motion among the young folks Of the village, il
making preparation for the evening school,
New singing books werePurchused, dresses were
prepared, curling-tongs and crimping.irons were
putin requisilion, and early in the evening the
long chamber in Gibbs tavern, which was cal.
led by way Of eminence the hail. was well fil
led by youth Of both sexes, the old folks not be-
ing allowed TO attend that evening, lest the boys
and gals should be dlffident about sounding the
notes. A range Of narrow tables was placed
round three sides of the hall, with benches be.
hind them, upon which the youth were seated
A singing-book and candle were shared by two
all round the room, till you came TO Miss Jcru.
sha Brown, who had the uppermost seat, and mo-
nopollzed whole book and whole candle to her
own use. Betsey Buck, lively, reckless sort Of
a girl Of 10 who cared for nobody nor nothing in
this world, was full of frolic and fun, had by
chance taken seat by Miss Jerusha. Miss Bet.
sey had a slight inward turn of one eye, just
enough to give her a roguish look that well COM
ported with her character. While they were
waiting for the entrance of the master, many a
suppressed laugh, and now and then an audible
gggle passed round the room, the mere ebuiiuon
OF buoyant spirits and contagious mirth without
aim CT object. Miss Jerusha, who was tryingtob be-
have her prettiest, repeatedly chided their rude.
ness, and more than once told Miss Betsey Buck
that she ought TO be ashamed TO be laughing so
much "for what would Mr.. Crotchet think, if he
should come in and find them all of gigge!"
After while the door opened, and Mr.. Chris
topher Crothet entered. lie bent his body slight
y as he passed the door, TO prevent conclusion
OF his head against the Intel, and then walked
very erect into the middle of the floor, and made
short speech 20 his class. His grotesque appear
ance caused slight tttering round the room,
and Miss Betsey was even guilty Of an incipient
audible laugh, which however, she had tact so
far TO turn into a laugh as to save appearances.
Sull ii was observed by Miss Jerusha, who told
her again she ought TO be ashamed, and added,
6 Mr., Crochet was most splendid man-abea
tifu man."
After Mr.. Crochet had made his Introductory
speech, he proceeded TO try the voices of the pu-
pills, making each one follow him in the rising
and falling the notes, He passed round without
much difficulty till he came to Miss Belsey Buck.
She rather hestated 10 let her voice be heard
alone; but the master told her she must sound,
and holding his head down so close 10 hers that
they almost met, he commenced pouring his faw,
sole, law, into her ear. Miss Betsey drew back
little, but followed with a low and somewhat
remuous voice, till she had sounded three or
four notes, when her rsible muscles got the mas
terry, and she burst into all unrestrained fit of
laughter.
The master looked confused and cross, and
Miss Jerusha even looked crosser than the mas
ter. She again reproached Miss Betsey for her
rudeness and told her in an emphatic whisper,
which was intended more especially for the mas
ter's ear, that such conduct was shameful, and
ifshe couldn't behave better she ought to stay at
home.'
Miss Jerusha's turn to sound came next, and
she leaned her head full half way across the ta-
BILE to meet the masters, and sounded the notes
clear through, three or four times over from bot
tom to top, and from top 10 bottom; and sounded
them with loudness and strength fully equal to
that of the master.
When the process Of sounding the voices sep
arately had been gone through with, they were
called upon to sound together; and before the
close ofthe evening they were allowed to COM
mence the notes of some easy tunes. 1t is un-
necessary here TO give detailed account of the
progress that was made, or 10 describe the jargon
of strange sounds, with which Gibbs hall echo
ed that night Suffice it to say, that the prof.
cency ofthe pupils was so great, that on the tenth
evening, or when the school was half through
the parents were permitted to be present. and
were delighted to hear their children sing Old
Hundred, Near, st. Martins, Mortified, and
Haltowell, with so much accuracy, that those
who knew the tunes, could readily tell, every
time, which one was being performed.
Mrs. Brown was almost in ecstacles at the
performance, and sat the whole evening and
locked at Jerusha, who sung with great earnest.
ness and with a voice raised far above all the
rest. Even Squire Brown himself was so much
softened that evening, that his face wore sort Of
a smile, and he told his wife she didn't grudge
his five dollars, a Bit"
The school went on swimmingly. Mr.. Crotch
ct became the lion Of the Villages and JeruSha
Brown ''thought he improved on acquaintance as
tonishingly.' Great preparations were made at
Squire Browns for the important week of board
ing the singing-master. They outdid all the vii.
lage in the quantity and variety of eatables, and
at every meal Miss Jerusha was perfectly assidi-
Gus in placing all the good things in the neigh
borhood of Mr.. Crotchet's plate. In fact, so
bountfully and regularly was Mr.. Crochet stuffed
that week, that his lank form began to assume a
perceptible fullness. He evidently seemed very
fond of his boarding place especially at meal
times; and made himself so much at home, that
Mrs. Brown and Miss Jerusha were in slale OF
absolute felicity the whole week. Itwas true
that he spent two evenings abroad during the week
and it was reported that one of them was passed
at Mr.. Bucks. But Miss Jerusha would not be-
lieve a word of such a story. She said "there
was no young folks at Mr.. Bucks except Betsey
and she was sure Mr.. Crochet was man gilmore