The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-01-15
Gr!cft Storm.
THE FLUTE PLAYER.

young men of the village in which he was
born. His parents were Industrious and
contented ; aud he himself was Of that ac-
tive and cheerful disposition which de-
rives pleasure from habitual employment
and requires no excitement of vice or folly
ih' the hours Of leisure. Harry Jones
was by trade Il cabinct-maker. lie was
a skillful and ingenious workman and
his master delighted to exhibit the tables
and drawers which Harry manufactured,
as the best specimens of his workshop
lie lived in Il small town, to which the
refinement Of large societies was almost
entirely unknown.
On a summer evening he might be dis
tingulshod on neighboring green as the
best bowler at cricket, and at the annual
revel he could try fall with any lad of
the surrounding villages. But his chief
delight was his proficiency as flute play
err. He made himself master of the new
est country dance, and occasionally as
tonished his friends with some more elab-
crate piece of harmony, which required
considerable science and taste in its exc
cution. lie was distinguished member
Of the band of volunteer performers at
his parish church, and had several times
received the praises of the clergyman for
the skill with which lie regulated the
less practiced abilities of his companions.
All these rccreations were in them
selves innocent; and Harry Jones had
sufficient sense and virtue not to permit
them to divert his attention from the
duties Of his occupation, nor to make
him forget that life had more important
objects than the pursuit even of sinless
amusement.
by his industry and frugality, Harry,
at the age of five and twenty had saved
little money. His master was kind and
liberal towards him, and having himself
other occupations to attend to resigned
his little interest as cabinet maker to
the hero of our story.
Harry became if possible, more assid-
uous; lie did not want friends and GUS
toners, and there was a particular object
which gave an additional spur to his in
Gustry; he naturally and properly dcsir-
cd wife as soon as he had acquired the
A''N"iio VI pb'aiHi'S OlC. LII IL HclDiDOl-
ing village he had formed an acquaint-
ance with a young woman, who possessed
those exccllcncics which strongly recon-
mcnded themselves to the prudential part
of his character.
Her parents were honest and rious
people, who had brought up their daugh-
ter to the strictest attention to economy,
and with those habits of regularity which
assign to every duty an exact time and
place for its fulflment. These habits of
order and punctuality had become sec
ond nature to Martha. She could not
allow herself to deviate from the prescri-
bed path, nor could she endure any devia-
tion In those by whom she was surround
cd. She had u sincere and affcctionate
heart but this precision had given some
thing of coldness and formality to her
character.
Harry, with the fondness of a lovers
eye, saw everything to admire he con-
sldered that her seriousness would prop
crly regulate his checrfulness, and that
the strict discipline which she exercised
over her own actions would control his
inclination for hasty and various modes
of occupation. He was satisfied that he
could not make a more prudent choice,
and the world thought so also. They
married.
At the end of the first fortnight after
their union Harry sat down by his even
ing fireside exceedingly fatigucd he felt
incapable of exertion, and remained some
time restless and dispirited. Martha be-
gan to read aloud from serious book
but did not choose the most favorable
moment for making proper impression;
Harry yawned and almost fell asleep
Martha laid down her book, and recon-
mended him to look over his accounts ::
with every disposition to oblige his wife,
Harry felt that the labors Of the day
were past.
He thought of his flute. The sense of
fatigue was at once forgotten, as he again
placed his old book of tunes before him.
lie played his briskest jigs-but Martha
did not beat time he tried his most pa
thetic airs-but Martha remained unmov-
ed. lie discovered, to his modification,
that his wife did not love music.
The next evening Harry did not forget
the recreation of his flute he played in
the very best style, and he appealed to
Martha fer encouragement and approba-
ton. Her praise was of a very negative
quality.
Sunday came, and Harry, as usual,
took his place in the music gallery he
put forth all his powers and exercised no
common address to make his associates
play in tune. As they walked home he
venturcd to ask Martha what she thought
of their little band She answered in a
tone between Indifference and contempt.
Ills pride was hurt and he determined to
say no more on the subject
The flute continued to be produced
every evening, and Harry ceased to ex-
pect the praise or ask the attention of his
wife. But even this Indifference did not
long continue. On one occasion he OBJ
served something like frown upon her
brow; on another he heard pettish ex-
preston pronounced in whispered and
hurried tone. AT length hostility was
openly declared against the flute and
Martha wondered how any man of sense
could waste his time and annoy his family
by such a stupid pursuit.
Harry boro This ayreedip ri " ,ol1 f,r