Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-06
s. For the Spectator.
SIMPLE ANNALS OF FUDGETOWN.
BY CHIPS.
CHAPTER V.
THE TRIAL OF THE FUGUEs.

1t was in the budding month of May, when
the heart seems to expand with the petals Of
the myriad flowers that drink in the light OF
the sun. There was unusual excitement IN
Fudgetown; number of eminent musicians
from various parts of the country had been In
vited to participate in a grand musical festival
given by Pheleg Potts, Esq. -Four wonderful
ly complicated musical compositions were to be
tried on that occasion by a sextette orchestra,
and number OF original chorusses sung by the
choir. After q protracted and very angry de-
bate, the board Of Elders had allowed the
church to be used for secular purpose, In con-
sideration Of the few anthems and sacred songs
to be sung, and the long services OF the dlrec-
tor of the choir. Yet, bitter indeed was the
opposition to the profane sfringed instruments
for it had long been the cherished opinion that
the fiddle could play nothing but dance music.
1t was pretty generally whispered round that
the gentle Effe was to be the reward OF the
successful competitor, and every one condemned
the tyranny of the father who could, for the
mere qualification of a whim, force his only
child to marry against her incllnatlons, for it
had long since been decided by the gossip-mon-
gers OF the town that Preston Wallace was her
accepted lover, and no one ever dreamt that he
W oud enter the lists.
Potts had changed his original intention Of
submitting the manuscript compositions, four
in number, to the chosen few OF this country
who have been honored with the degree OF Mus.
Doc. or Doctor Of Music. The plan he had
adopted was to invite number of the most
celebrated musicians to Fudgetown, give grand
miscellaneous vocal and instrumental concert
and abide by their decision. The seals OF the
manuscripts had not been broken, he therefore
did not know the names of the competitors;
these manuscripts he determined to pass over
to the board Of judges, numbering them one
two-three-four on the outside, to be per
formed in order.
The night previous to the eyentful festival
which was to decide Etfle Potts future happl-
ness, was almost changed into day by the food
of sllvery light that poured from the laughing
face of the full moon, whose penslve glory so
suffused the face of night that there was hardly
chance for the host OF twlnklers that filled the
heavens. Two human forms, one tall young
man, the other a fairy.like girl, beautifully
formed with soft haxen ringlets Howlng grace
fully over her shoulders, might be seen slowly
walking round the enclosure of the Town Foun-
tain, the favorite resort of young lovers
my sweet Etie, said the young man, who
was no other than Preston Wallace, 'sall your
fretting will avail nothing. We must trust to
luck-my chance is as good as any one else
for have studied hard, and Herr kllneberg
says my composition would be credltable to the
most accomplished master. To be-sure he has
helped me little-but the original Is mine.
But, should you be successful-do you think
my father would adhere to his whimsical reso-
lution?' asked the girl looking up into her low
er S face.
81 do not think he would dare break his con-
tract was the reply. 'He values public opln
ion and, though he smiles on me patronlzing
ly as his clerk and principle tenor, and would
not have me any thing more, yet-when he
finds out that | am able to compete with the
first masters of the land, he may feel pride in
proclaining me his chosen son-in-law
''You are too sanguine, replied Efhe, sigh
ing with me it is almost hoping against hope.
To marry stranger-perhaps a hideous object,
while my heart IS yours, would make me mis-
erable forever. Oh, Preston, the thought
makes me wretched. y
Thus prated the lovers while they strolled
along the shaded path; their conversation was
only interrupted by the bubbling OF the pure
fountain. Effie at one time cast out hint that
it would be far better to elope than to take the
chances; but Wallace objected, as he well knew
the father would cut his daughter off with
cent and never forgive her. So, they came to
the conclusion to trust to destiny
The programme Of the concert was sent with
invitations to families in town and country the
orchestra arrived and were quartered at the ho-
tel at Potts expense The chorus, well trained,
were ready for their share in the performance.
and the editor OF the 'IudgetoWn mountain
eer, " had published the preliminary puff In his
last issue, announcing the affair as the greatest
ovation that had ever been dreamt Of in that
section of the country. .f...
The glory of opening the concert with the
| s'Halleluiah Chorus from Haudefs Messiah,
but altered and improved by the conductor, fell
to Mr. Potts, who, with neatly ornamented
baton in his right hand beat time, while his
rotund corporation quaked as be thundered out
the basso obI;gdto. The chorus over, the seal
! of composition No. l. was broken, and the or
chestra prepared to perform it al sight. 1t was
evident that It was the production OF the leader,
diminutive specimen Of humanity, with a long.
and crooked nose, not unlike the large claw Of
/ cooked lobster, for he was very particular in
arranging the parts, and giving instructions to
| the performers Its performance was dry and
heavy. eliciting little or 10 expressions OF adml
ration from the audience, who understood it
about as well as a pig would Hebrew. Then
followed a duet on two french horns; a pasto-
*By the term fugue is meant that species of
| ,nnsica1 composition wherein the parts chase one
another Al simple melody is usually taken
which is carried out by various instruments in
different parts, still preserving the rules of har-
to canon for voices The ftlgue
is considered the most difficult kind of compost
| zion.