Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-05-10

SoUtlOu VI tHcm UOtHs
Karl took her on his knees.
"What hove you been doing at the
church, my darling?"
She hesitated moment.
"Oh, father. I'm SO happy! The Mas
ter says that in few months ! shall be
a singer in The choir, and that l shall
earn money then TO help you; and oh,
father shall never be burden to you
any more!"
my child!" was all Karl could say,
passionately clasping her TO his breast.
Two large tears silently fell upon his
cheek as he bent his head down over
her.
Four years passed and on bright clear
summers morning in the old town there
was great hustle and preparation. The
Elector of Saxony was that day 10 pass
through it; and had signifed his inten.
tion-before partaking Of banquet pre-.
pared for him in the Town Hall by the
chief bufgomasters to be present at a sol.
emn service in the principal church. 1t
was the first time for many years that the
town had been so honored.
As the hour drew near the people
flocked from all parts toward the church
and before the Elector himselfhad arriv.
ed dense crowd filled every corner,
and a low ceaselcss murmer Of many
voices broke the silence Of the cchoing
aisle. The sunlight even came. In the
dim chancels, which never but on occa.
sions such as this were visited except by
by one or two stray wanderers, long
lines Of lamps were hung, each shedding
for little way around faint, pale light
and shining on the eager faces which,
grouped below, were all expectantly
turned in one direction.
At last he came. There was loud
buzz Of voices; and, mingling with the
full swell of the Hallelujah chorus which
broke forth grandly and solemnly, there
came in the same moment tramp OF
feet along the marble pavement Of the
nave. The Elector crossed the church,
and took the seat assigned to him near
to the high altar.
The mass began, and the united voices
of the choir broke forth together in the
opening Kyrie, in purest and most per.
feet harmony; but when the solemn and
most exquisite solo, Et incarmatus,
swept through the church, rising and fal.
ling as the accompaniment of organ and
chorus rose and fell-the full, rich, fresh
voice which gave it forth with the pas
sionatc fervor of an inspired devotion
was greeted with an in. oluntary murmer
of admiration from the Electors lips,
which was caught up and echoed by
those standing near, spreading over the
whole assembled people. s.
The mass was over, and the priests
had left the altar; but the Elector still
remained, speaking to one or two oil
those around him, and presently it was
whispered through the church that he in
person would visit the choir; for he was
an amateur Of music. In few minutes
he was conducted up the narrow stair.
case that led to the organ loft. The
visit was so unexpected and unprepared
for that the Kapell .meister had hardly
received notice from a hurried messen'
yer Of the Electors approach, when he
entered with two or three Of his suite.
Herr Kapel.meister, | have come to
take glance at your small territory
here. Your choir does you much credit
The bewildered maestro bowed.
'You have good materials to work
upon, the Elector continued in the tone
of connoisseur, good voices, and a
good instrulucn.;' and sending on OK
cuse to the civic authorities for little
delay he added:
Il would like to hear little supple
mentary performance
The Master took his seat; and, at a
sign from him beautiful dark.eyed girl
moved from the little group and blush.
ing deeply as the Electors eyes fell full
upon her stood by the Kapell .meister's
side
'Ay that must be she,' thought the
Elector, who was connoisseur Of real
taste, no less in beauty than in mu'
sic. But he had been over.conident.
In another moment he found that his
sweet songstress was still to seek, for
the voice Of the dark.eyed girl was a
contralto.
Very good-very good, indeed. fine
voice, and well.trained,' approvingly
murmured the Elector.' This young la
dy is your best contralto singer pre-
sume?'
'She is. Perhaps your highness might
wish to Judge Of our soprano?
by all MEANS the Elector answered
heartily.
The Kapell. .meister paused for mo.
ment and glancing over his choir as il
in doubt whom to select, he came to a
sudden decision and beckoned to Mar
garet. 49,. :. :,
She came half unwillingly to his side;
and STOPPING down, spoke something to
him in low voice.
.Yes presently he answered aloud,
with smile; and pointing to the music
that lay on the desk before him, he be-
gan to play. 1t was an air from Pergo'
fesi's Cavalry that he had chosen.
sVery beautiful, indeed!' cried the
Elector. But she was not the singer
OF the Incarnatus!'
i 'Your Highness may be interested in
knowing said Kapell.m .meister, that the
i ho.. .on.o,,o IN The chair 10 a Hind oi