The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-09

said nothing, did nothing, but only
looked at her face, and went shambling
away, a changed and altered being. There
was a world where horse-collars and horse
shoes, lemons aud mortises, right hands or
left, entered not. That world [ had seen !;
l had 5reathed IT'S air and heard its voices.
My father heard of my misfortune, and
laid the strap across my shoulders without
hesitation. for in my young days boys
were boys till eighteen or nineteen years
o!G. bore it patiently, uncomplainiugly
"What is he fit for 2" every one would
ask, and no one could answer, not even
myself.
[ wandered about the rectory in the
summer evenings and heard her sing
tried hard to get the old gardener to let
me help him carry the watering pots, and
when L succeeded, felt, as | entered the
rector's garden, that / was entering a par
aoise. . happy months, when, after the
horrible labors of the weary day, used
20 follow the ole gardener, and hear her
sing. My old withered heart beats fuller
and freer when the memory comes back
to me now.
las alas my awkwardneSs again ban
ished me. She met me one evening In
the garden, as [ was coming along the
Path with my cans full of water, and spoke
70 me aud said,-
'You're the boy that broke the vase,
aren't you 2"
l did not, could not reply my strength
forsook me. [ dropped my cans on tie
ground, where they upset and flooded
away Ill moment some seeds on which
the rector set most especial store.
elbow awkward, to be sure !" she ex-
claimed. "And how angry uncle will be-"
L turned and fled, and from that time
the rectory gate was closed against me.
L led miserably unhappy life for the
next three years had only one consola-
ton during the whole of that weary time.
[ saw her at church and heard her sing
there. l could hear nothing else when
she saGg, clear and distinct, above the
confused, nasal sounds that came from the
voices of Others, s,-hers alone pure, sweet,
aud good. l. was blessed time. |
would not miss Sundays service in
church for all that might offer Three
good miles every Sunday there and heav-
lily plod to hear her, and feel well reward
ed. shared her joys and heAviness. 1
knew when she was happy, when oppres-
sed as mother knows the tones of her
child's voice, to the minutest shade of dit
ference, so L could tell when her heart was
light aad when sad
One Sunday she sang as l had never
yet heard her. not loudly, bat so tenderly,
SO loving ly; knew the change had come,
she loved it thrilled in her voice ; aud
at the eTeniug service, he was there. |
saw him. a soldier, knew by his bear
ing, with cruel, hard, gray eyes; and she
loved, | knew it. | detected a tremble and
gratitude in the notes. | felt she was TO
suffer, as L had suffered not that | sang.
l had no voice. \ harsh: cultural sound
was all could give utterancc to. could
whistle like a bird, aud often and often
have | lam for hours in the shade of
tree and joined the concerts of the woods
One day | was whistling, as was my
wont, as | went through the street, when
L was tapped on the shoulder by an old
man, the cobber of the next parish [
knew him from his coming to my father
tor leather occasionally.
''Sam, where did you learn that 2"
''Learn what 2"
"That tune
cat church"
you've got good ear, Sam"
"I've nothing else good, but l can whis-
tie anything"
''Can you whistle me the Morning
Hymn 2"
[ did so.
Good very good. Know anything of
music, Sam p
"Nothing."
"Like to 2"
"Id give all have in the world to be
able to play anything. My SOULS full of
music. | can't sing note, bat could
play anything if l were taught"
$50 you shall, Sam, my boy. Come
home with me. Garry these skins, and
you shall begin at once"
| went home with him, and found that
he was one Of the players n the choir OF
his parish, his instrument being the Vio-
lincello. | took my first lesson, and from
that time commenced new life. Evening
after evening, aud sometimes during the
day, l wandered over to his little shop,
and while he sat, stitch, stitch, at the
boots and shoes, l played over and over
again all the music could get from the
church.
"You've beautiful lingering, Sam, my
boy, beautiful, and though it does look a
little awkward to see you bowing away
with your left, It makes no difference to
you. You ough. to be fine player,
Sam"
1 was enthusiastic, but | was poor.
Of L
had no money, and l earned none,.l
fhnn0tt