Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-12-10
ON = = XRANNY IS oBIHIENoH 20 Q . "-THAs
# RAVENNA, OHIO, lI0NDA DECEMBER 10, l849 a

BER 10, l849. al ST..
lime that q bad cold has served as M
apology for singing out of tune, .'- l...
The period for spring quarterly meet
ing Of one of the Leading denomination,
now drew nigh, and a great gathering was
expected. Ministers from far and near, a
numerous baptism in the pond, were lookee
for. Preparations Of all sorts were sci or
loot, and among the rest music for the
occasion ,,Ihe chqice of s.set pieces,.'' and
anthems, ana new turies, ita . new
1dif6etlc nnl spur. TO the musical Interests:
but Mr. Fasole and Jane Gord5n were
no, forgotten. There was time to watch
and sing too. Through the whole winter
The singing master, though his way lay in
quite an opposite direction, had thought
proper to see Miss Gordon home, except
when it was very cold or stormy, when he
modestly withdrew with an air which said
he did not wish his attentions to seem par.
ticular. 1t had become quite trick with
the young men 10 listen by the roadside,
in order to ascertain whether he did ''pop
the question:" somewhere between the
school-house and MIR. Gorhor's; but the
conclusion was, that either he was too dis
Greet to do it, or too cunning to let it be
heard, for nothing could ever be distinguish
ed but the most ordinary talk. Nothing
could be more obvious, however, than what
ever we're Mr.. Fasole's Intentions, poor
Jane was very much in earnest. She lost
all her interest in the village circle. and,
TOO honest and sincere for the concealmept,
only found her spirits when the fascinating
school-master appeared. He had the mag
netizer's power over the whole being of his
pupil. .--.e.-. ... -
-. The parents observed all this with the
creates, -uneasiness, ano demonstrated with
her on The imprudence of her conduct, bu.
in vain. They reminded her that no one
knew anything about the singing MASTER
and that he very probably had at least one
wife elsewhere, although it was post the
art of man to betray MIN into any ackuowl-
edgement Of such incumbrance, but Jane
was deaf to al! caution, and evidently only
waited lor the votary o.! music to make up
his mind 10 ask, before she should courtesy
and say-yes.
The quarterly meeting came on, and
Squire Hooper's big barn was filled to
overfowing A long platform had been
erected for the ministers, and rough seats
n abundance for the congregations; but
every beam, pin, 'coin Of vantage" was
1ung witt, human life, in some shape or
other. Such gathering -hoa SW1ffs1'
sesa.iD q lone. while
sr srr. Fasols, Nth Jane .clr Purse Strings
1and, and his forces rangeGillett's store
each hand. White was his bosom ou,side)
md fery-red his hair and his face, as he
wrought vehemently in beating time, while
,e sent out volumes, not TO say whole
editions of sound One coald not but con-
;lude that every emotion of his soul must
ind utterance in the course Of the morn
ng's performance, if Jane Gordon only
istened Alright, which she seemed very well
disposed TO do. But the concluding hymn
vas to be the crowning effort. 1t abound.
ID in fnges-those fatal favorites of coun-
ry choirs. and had several solos, which
dr. Fasole had assigned to Jane Gordon,
n spite of the angry inuendos Of other pre-
cnders. He had drilled her most per-
everingly, and, though not without some
nisgivings, had succeeded in persuading
imself as we'll as his pupil, that she would
;et through these eight places,' very well /
With little help from hin.
When the whole immense assembly rose
. listen while the choir performed this ':set
iece," it was with sound like the rush
ng Of many waters, and poor Jane, not
the whispered assurance of
he master, began to feel her courage
ozing out; as woman's courage is apt to
O when it is most wanted. She gotl
through her portion of the harmony with ,
olerable credit; but when it came TO the
rst solo, it was as if one did take her by t
he throat, and the sound died away upon t
er lips. Dread silence ensued, but in /
noment, from the other side Of the barn, T
eemingly from a far distant loft female
oice, clear, distinct, and we'll trained, took l
p the recent strain, and carried it through H
riumphantly. Then the choir rose, and,
ncouraged by the opportune aid, perform,
d their part to admiration-so well, indeed
nd with so much enthusiasm that they did
ot at first miss the Leading Mr.. Fasole.
When the next solo sturn came they had
ime to look round; and while the distant
'oice once more sent its clear tones wan
ering among the rafters and though the
nows and out Of the wide doors, all the
lass turned to look at the master. There
,e stood-agape-astare-pale pale-spiritless
petried; his jaw fallen, his
lose pinched in, his eyes sunken and
follow, and fixed in wild gaze on the dim
distance whence issued the potent sound,
While poor James fascinated optics gazed
1owhere but on him. But before note
,ouId be taken of their condition, the chorus
must once more join in the triumphant
,urst, for the new auxiliary had inspired
hem like heavenly visitant, and they
could not attend to subunary things. They
finished in perfect blaze of glory, the nn-
known voice sounding above all others,
and carrying its part as independently as
Mr.. Fasole himself should have done.
"What's the matter with the singing
Master?'' "Has he got ft?'' sis he
iying?" was whispered through the crowd
as soon as the meeting was dismissed:
aBring water, whiskey, tan-oh goodness!
what is to be done?' .'..
"Let me come to him." said powerful
voice. lust ut hand; and as the crowd OPEN
ed tall. masculine woman, of no very