The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-04-16
Tho Chapel Choristers.

| ''>e e""Pe' !" d cIeaF VOlune OF sound
that fose above tho accompaniment Of the
organ, and was just shaded aud soflencd by
the t1ute-lIke tenor that accompanied that
single female voice.
Many of the sunbrowned seamcn who
'worshipcd there knew the voice and the
singer, and listened the more earnestly, be.
cause ofher 10 the chants and psalms, and
the sermon TINT followed. 1t was Eng
l'sh Bessie" who came among their wives
and children on many kindly errand, and
had always cheerful word for the sick and
desponding. The men called her "a hearty
lass" and wished many ''blessing on her
honest face" Their wives, in Sunday dress.
and proud of the stalwart arms on which
they leaned, "thought it shame" that she
had not chosen from among the rough and
hardy wooers by whom she was surround
ed
Prayer and chant were over, and the
still sermon-time came, when Bcssic's duties
were ended !; and she drew the crimson cur
tain aside to look and listen with the rest =.
The warm summer sun came quivering
from the water through the lance-shaped
windows, and lighted up the pale, grave
face of the clergyman in his pulpit and the
strangely gathered audience.
Some were boatmen, or hands from COAST
ing vessels, whose occupation allowed them
leisure for home and its comforts. They were
surrounded by their wives and little ones
in all the smartness of,heir Sunday costume,
relieved by scarfs or shawls of bright for
eIgn weaving, the gift Of some successful re-
lalive on return voyage. The children
sat uneasily on the high benches, aud look
ed at the flies on the window, or studied the
pictures in their prayerbooks, as children
will. These were the more regular attcn-
dants Of the chapel. And there were men
whose dress had no pretention to Sunday
neatness, who scarcely knew one day of the
week from another, except that the seventh
was, in some sort, day Of rest even with the
hardest captains under whom they sailed
who were there they scarcely knew how or
why, from idle whin or vague curosity. to
hear the music or "what the parson would
have to say gathered literally from the
highways aud by-ways, and compelled to
come in.
Heat and cold were alike 10 them SO
long as they could lead in the "common
praise and respond to the "common PRAYER"
OF those in whom they thus -enxinced un-
t'r'ng in'erest-to England Bessie, for the
sake Of the father. and brother buried by
one wave from the same wreck and to the
blind man at her side, whose white hands
drew such noble music from the organs
keys while he sang the pure, clear tenor of
which we spoke.
He sat with his face turned towards
Bessie, as if his sightless eyes longed to
know the features Of this familiar friend
whom he had never yet seen. His long
hair thrown backward from n forehead that
had never known exposure, touched the
broad linen collar, turned over simple rib
bon, tied carelesslv about the throat. His
dress was simple and far from new, but neat
SO neat that you wondered to know a wo.
mans hand had not arranged it. Music
was at once his passion and his livelihood
For the rest, he had no relatives and no do.
pendence.
1t was singular friendship that had
grown up between these two, who met not
elsewhere; and when the sermon was done
was pleasant to see the sisterly care with
which she handed him his hat and staff
and led him down the narrow stairs. where
he must have groped slowly but for her
hand
"l1ere. is the sill, Richard" she said, "and
here the door; and there is the rector
waiting to speak with you.'
Bpt the quick ear Of the blind man dis.
covered another step. and thong ii he listen
ed to the kindly words of the grave rector,
ne heard An invitation given and refused
where Bessie stood at the door Of the yesti.
bule.
"What did he want" asked Richard. i,
the quick, excited manner peculiar to him.
as bis hand was once more placed in that
hrm, reliant clasp, and she led him over the
swaying plank to the shore.
STEADY There, now you are on the Wharf,
Bessie said, rs she might have sdothed an
excited child. "Whos WHAT Alleb b4r
"Yes. Allen.s heard his voice when Mr.
Storey was talking. When did. the Bess
come int lie has had a quick trip" -"
mot very; the usual time. There, now,
5ou DO not need my hand any longer"
'"Why do you take it away, Bessie -,
There 's'a crossing yet,nnd those pile. of
lamtsr." %. 49, ~. =.