The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-10
OlllilS udIu It
VICE ENT6.
How a Barber's Boy Became Lord Chief
Justice of England.
From L ondon Society for NoUember.

From L ondon SoctetyJo Novenber.
Let readers transport themselves to Canter-
bury in 1776, and let them enter a barbers shop
hard by Canterbury Cathedral. 1t is primitive
shop, with the red aud white pole over the door,
and modest display of wigs and puh-DoXes In
the window. A small shop, but notwithstanding
its smallness, the best shop of its kind In Can
terbury; and its lean, stiff, exceedingly respect
able master is man of good repute IN the
cathedral town. His hands have, ere now,
powdered the Archbishop's wig, and he is speci-
and neighborhood to keep their false hair
IN order and trim the natural tresses Oh thelr
children.
Not only have the dienitaries of the cathedral
taken the worthy barber under their special
protection, but they have extended their care 10
his little boy Charles, demure, prim LAD, VINO
is at the present time pupil In the Kings
School, to which academy clerical interest gained
him admission. The lad is in his fourteenth
year; and DR.. Osmond BeauVoir, the master OF
the school, gives him so good character Tor
industry and dutiful demeanor that some or the
cathedral ecclesiastics have resolved to make
the little fellows fortune, by placing him in the
Office of chOrister. There is vacant place in
the cathedral choir, and the boy who is lucky
enough to receive the appointment will be pro-
vided for muni6cently. He will forth with have
maintenance, and in course OF time his salary
will be 970 per annum.
During the last fortnight the barber has been
in great and constant excitement, hoping that
his boy will obtain this valuable place of prefer
ment; persuadng himself that the lads thick
ness OF voice, concerning which the cnoir-master
spoke with aggravatng persistence, IS matter
of no real importance; fearing that the friends
OF another contemporary boy, who Is said by the
choiT-master TO have an exceedingly meli1uous
voice, may defeat his paternal aspirations, Tue
momentous question agitates many humble
homes IN Canterbury; and when Mr.. Abbott the
barber, is encouraged to hope the best for his
son, the relatives and supporters OF the contem-
poIary boy are urging him not TO despair. Party
spirit prevails on either side-Mr. Abbotts
family associates maintaining that the conlem-
pOrary boys higher notes resemble those OF a
penny whistle: while the contemporary 0oy's
| iather, with much satire and some justice, MUIR
murs that cold Abbott, who is the gossip-mOnger
of the parsons, wants to push MS son INTO
! place for which there is better candidate"
To-day is the eventful day when the election
will be made. Even now, while Abbott, the
barber, is trimming wig at his shop window,
and listening to the hopeful talk OF an intimate
neighbour, his son Charley is chanting the Old
Hundredlh before the whole chapter. When
Charley has been put through his vocal pieces,
the contemporary boy is requested 10 sing.
Whereupon that clearthfoated competitor, sus-
tanned by justihable self confidence and new
laid egg which he had sucked scarcely minute
before made a bow TO their reverences, and sings
out with such richness and compass that all the
auditors recognize his great superiority.
Ere ten more minutes had passed, Charley
Abbott knows that he has lost the election, aud
he hastens from the cathedral with quick steps.
Running into the shop, he gives his iatner one
look that tells the whole story ot-iallufe, and
then the little fellow, unable to command his
grief, sits down upon the Aoor and sobs convul-
/ sively.
! Failure is often the first step to eminence.
Had the boy gained the chorister's place. he
would have peen q cathedral servant all his
II .hasing failed 10 get IL, he returned to the
,Ss mug school, went as a poor scholar 20 Oxford,
cbGos s'yushs Insiihis ms way 10 honor. He became
an Husa Susuos 70 the Kings Bench and peer OF
oan ne aS"iT hoSssds the close of his honorable
career, ieutefden attended services in the
Cathedral OF Canterbury, accompanied by Mr.