Nebraska advertiser., 1866-10-25

/
summer evenings, and heard her sing
tried hard to get the gardener to let me
help him carry the watering pots, and
when l succeeded, felt as ! enierad the
rector's garden that was entering par
adiss. Oh, happy months when. after
.he horrible labors Of the weary day, /
used 10 follow the old gardener and hear
her sing. My old withered heart beats
fuller and freer when the memory comes
back to me now.
Alas, alas my awkwardness again
banished me. She met me one evening
in the garden, as was coming along
the path with my cans full of water, and
spoke to me and said:
You're the boy that broke the vase,
aren't you 90
I did not, could not reply; my strength
forsook me. l dropped my cans on the
ground. where they upset and flooded
away in a moment some seeds on which
the rector set most special value.
"How awkward, to be surer' she ex-
claimed "And how angry uncle will be.
turned and fed, and from that time
the rectory gate was closed against me.
led miserably unhappy life for the
next three years; had only one conso,
laion during the whole of that weary
time. ! saw her at church and heard her
sing there. could hear nothing slse
when she sang. clear and distinct, above
the confused nasal sounds that came from
tho voices of olhers-hers alone pure,
sweet and good. 1t was blessed time
would no; miss Sundays service in
church for all that might offer. Three
good miles every Sunday there and back
ild 1 heavily plod TO hear her, and feel
we'll rewarded. shared her joys and
heaviness. / knew when she was hap
py. when oppressed, as mother knows
the tones of her chi!d's voice, TO the min
utes shade of difference. SO could tell
when her heart was light and when sad.
One Sunday she sang as had never
yet heard her. not loudly, but so tenderly,
so lovingly; | knew the change had come
she loved it thrilled in her voice
and at the evening service he was there.
| saw a soldier, knew, by his bearing
with cruel, hard, grey eyes; and she
sang. knew it. detected rrembie
aud gratitude in the notes. felt she
was 10 snffer, as / had suffered; not Iha!
sang had no voice. A harsh gutter
al sound was all that | could give uller-
ance TO. could whistle like bird. aud
often and often have lain for hours in
the shade of tree and joined the con-
certs of the woods. GoL
One day was whistling, as was my
wont, as | went through the street, when
was tapped IN the shoulder by an old
man, the cobbler of the noxt parish. |
knew him from his coming TO my father
for leather occasionally.
Sam, where did you learn that :"
Learn what gu
THAT tune"
"At church." ee
You've good ear, Sam"
"I've nothing els good, but | can whis-
tie anything eat
"Can yOa whistle me the Morning
Hymn! !' ea
l did so. !
Good, very good. Know anything Of
music Sam 2" - "
"Nothing''
"Like to?"
I'D give all have in the world to be
able to play anything. My sonl's full Of
music. can't sing note, but I could
play anything if were taught. /"
$50 you shall, Sam, my boy. Come
home with me. Garry these skins, and
yon shall begin at once'}'
went home With him, and found he
was one of the best players in the choir
of his parish, his instrument being the
I took my first lesson, and
from that time commenced a new life.
Evening after evening, and some times
during The day,I wandered over 10 his
liule shop, and while be sat. stitch. stitch,
at the boots and shoes. / played over and
over agaln all the music could gel from
the church.
you've a beauciful lingering, Sam
nv boy. beautiful, and though il does look
a little awkward to see you bowling away
with tour left, it makes no difference to
you. You Ough, TO be a fine player, Sam. ?
| was enthusiastic. but was poor
wanted an instrument of my own, but
had no money, and l earned none-I
could earn none. My parents thought,
and perhaps rightlP. that if they found
me food and cIothlng, I was well provi-
ded for, and so for some twelve months