Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-05-27

out of small viol, the contents whereof were
labelled 'tinct lob These portentous prepa-
rations were omnous of some desperate efforts,
and the omen was not falsifed, for 'Gren-
fields is one of those horse tunes that tries
the vocalties, the 'echo song of the rustic Jen-
ny Linds, the 'Une voce POGO ia Of Miss Wat
son. How my ears tingled at the horrors of
it, as it has been squeaked treble, roared tenor,
and growled (base in euay sense,) by Keener's
class at 'Slaughter's.'
But philanIhropists call that the best which
produces the mos. happiness; upon that Prin-
ciple it deserves to be framed in gilt, upon
every other principle universal execration.-
Other 'chunes' were taken in due order, and
after an hours practice, when every pair of
lungs was expanded TO the fullest, keener an
nounced the crowning glory of the morning
Ocean. Hodjah Snap had been in his ele-
ment on 'Grenfeld's, happy on 'Ninety-fifih,'
uproarions on Florida, but it was well
known that ne let out whenever .Ocean'
was sung in fact he had in a manner reserved
| himself for this trial, and now it came.
.Hodijah's mother, the venerable Mrs. S. was
the common run of widows, SO much SO as to
cause her to stint herself both in food and raj
ment This peculiarly induced her to cut her
sons shirts to ft, as tailors jocularly style it,
that is to follow the natural developments OF
the body rather closer than the original skin,
and Hodijah had already sung off button or
two by his earlier efforts. Ocean was worth
any sacrifice, and he burst off the others to leave
his throat bare, and his adams APPLE to feel
free ventilation. All this preparation am
sorry 10 say, was wasted Fate rules the af-
fairs of mortals,' and it did so at this time, for
Just as the third line was commenced, and 'the
prolonged note had engaged the deepest
growls of the base singers, melancholy mule,
fastened 10 a swinging limb near the door,
broke out in note more lofty, more profound,
more forte, more crcscendo, than ever Verdi
conceived of in his most inspired moments
The effect was electric, one-half stopped to
scold, the other to laugh, and the singing was
over for that morning. The good results of
the meeting, however, were not lost thirty
subscribers Immediately signed the articles,
pledging themselves individually. and collec-
lively, to pay Erastus Keener the just and le-
gal sum of one dollar. each, Immediately after
the expiration of his course of thirteen lessons
and the company dispersed. t
Proceed we now TO describe the schoo! after
its commencement. Keener's speed as
music teacher being well ascertained, ii would
seem to follow that his form would harmonze
with the principles Of order and beauty. Such
| regret TO say, was not the case, for he was
singularly squint-eyed and humpbacked, be-
sides being quite deformed himself. Notwiih-
standing nature had done so little for him,
Erastus was engaged in an effort to win the
hand of a damsel whose solid charms were well
calculated 10 render him easy in circumstances.
This was Miss Jerusha Oderon, whose father
was of the strictest sect, and one who could af-
ford to keep his coach, and go 10 New Orleans
with his own tobacco hogsheads. keener was
unsuccessful, as a matter of course, but my
story introduces an episode in which his name
was coupled with Miss Jerusha's for short
time, and the whole affair grew out of his sing
ing school. The mischief has always been in
these schools from the start. knew one near
Memphis that was carried on six months only,
until The material was entirely used, no less
than twenty couples having married out Of it,
and the teacher himself closing the list.
Keeners was no exception to this rule as
you will presently find. have theory on
this subject which is original with myself, that
love follows good nature, and surely no place
in the world concentrates so much Of the latter
commodity as country singing school, there
fore the lads and lasses naturally fall in love at
such places. Confute it who can. B.,
Jerusha's father sought wealthy son-in-
law: his daughter had no other cares on the
subject, save that she might not be too long in
the market. AT the very first meeting Of the
singing school, she had been addressed by a
young man, Mr.. Elliot, one of the first fami-
lies of Va, but like many of that enterprising
race, quite poor in funds. She smiled him
sweet permission to escort her home, and lost
her heart to him before they arrived there. =
Another and another visit followed, and things
were progressing smilingly, for her father was
with his hogsheads down the river, and moth
er she had none, until, in the midst of this hap
piness, the old gentleman returned. 1t was
enough for him to learn that his daughter
suitor was not worth dollar, to forbid him the
house. He would also have forbidden her the
singing school, and packed her incontinently
off TO his maiden sisters, had it not been for
the fortunate proposition of Keener's, to take
her with him and return her safely home at the
end OF each lesson, distinctly pledging himself
} that Elliot should not address word TO her
nor communicate by note. AS he really loved
his daughter, he consented to this arrange
) ment, and Jerusha only lost one lesson BY hel
fathers interference. How they managed
their correspondence, Elliot and Jerusha, is
not altogether clear, but the sweet treble sing
er, Peninah Swift certainly had hand in III,
mail department, while several others assiste,
IN the distribution of notes. Thus it happened
that while keener was engaged in the execu
tion of Easter Anthem, or some such length,
piece, the enamored couple were outside whis
pering sweet nnthings, and centriving all sort
OF future fellcities, and ready to hurry bacI
r when any one Of the sentinels gave the wa,cl
J note of alarm. 'il'f9 .4@