Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-11-26
For the Spectator.
GLIMPSES AT THE PAST.
BY CHIPS.
CHAPTER Nv.

"REMINISCENCES OF WEST POINT CONTINUED.
Willis and myself spent the evening together
ececutiag some superior flute duets by suct
composers as Nicholson, Toulon, DressIer, Ber
bagner and, though last not least Playel. =
Sometimes the piano forte was called in requi
siton, and | accompanied with sufficient ability
to draw forth compliment from the musica
enthusiast and proposition that we should
both leave the service and travel round the
country giving Concerts.
sit S a mighty pretty profession, that OF mu.
sic, said he, as he placed his = OK humana,
or E fiat bugle on the piano, after throwing al
his soul into .sCush- la machree" and Erin 60
braugh," to my piano accompaniment. I've
made up my mind to scratch poor man 8 head
all the days of my unlucky lite-and why 2
Jist because | wouldn't change my bugle tol
the sceptre of king. It's Fame's trumpet,
my boy-only it bugle; which is pretty much
the same thing Miss Fame would have played
upon the bugle, but in her day that swate In
strument wasn't invented. The Kent bugle
rather knocked the lady S music in the head
but Lagier fixed the keys to it, and made a
draft upon all the silver mines OF Mexico fol
swateness of tone, and kilt the heart OF Beauty
intirey with the spaking eloquence OF the ma
chine / tried to improve on him by making
the 'vox humana,' this little singer that you
see-but, I'm afraid the child can come up to
it's papa. r..
Willis was rare genius Music was nature
to him-the whole solar system moved IN har
mony, and he (for he had the raw material oi
poetry in his nature) believed that that har
mony was the pleasing combination OF concor
dant notes. Music was the prime preserver Of
law and order; Tor the law -glvers In olden times
issued their edicts with the sound OF trumpets
and other musical instruments. Some leglsla
tors even went so far as to have the laws sung
to the people in order that they might under
stand them.
'sAre you to have wedding said he, his
fine, honest features shining over stout glass
of irish whiskey punch after the parson has
gone, what do you want? Why, music. Is Il
a funeral that you re attending? The bell tolls
and the organ peals for the citizen, while the
drums and the flies and the muskets spake tol
the soldier. What would your parlors be with.
out music ?-what your nurseries you
churches ?-what your-your-in fact, be the
powers, what would all mankind be without
music? Why, jist like this tumbler OF punch
without any whlskey In it !.
In the morning received note from Col
Thayer, stating that my letter OF resignation hac
been forwarded to the Secretary Of War, ano
that /, in the mean while, should absent myself
from the post, and await the result. | hao
now cooled of, and almost regretted my lmpet
uous course but, as | had gone so far coulo
not retract |, therefore, took lodgings with Ole
Mrs Nelson on the opposite side OF the river
and awaited the reply OF the Secretary Here
was occasionally visited by some OF my ole
chums. Willis, too, almost daily called upor
me and cheered me with many anecdotes OF tht
| hard times of ould Ireland
In about ten days an answer was received
from the Department., and l no longer followed
| the GLORIOUS profession of arms;'' for the res
| ignation was accepted, and all | had to do wa
| to return to my native city, and seek such em
| ployment as the nature OF my education htte(
me for. A professorship in some college, o
| even teacher in some country school-any
thing, rather than again becoming burden Il
| my father. l did not turn the chances for
living over in my mind, or Tx definitely upol
| ANYTHING l left all to chance, habit which
accompanied me through lite-though it neve
threw preterment or emolulnent in my way.
[ crossed the river with a wavering determi
| nation Of renewing my challenge to Colone
Thayer, but, as | assembled the rugged roa'
that led to the plain, / brought myself severel
/ to task, and asked, even now that L was pro
NOTED to the rank of citizen, whether was tn
equal of the veteran officer, who, though b
had deceived me, had always been as lathe
to me? l began to regret that had not quiet
ly returned to my academic duties, anu mao
myself better acquainted with those heavy stud
les in which, | was compelled to confess,
made but faint show? This regret hung t
me through after years; particularly did it com
over me when l met some of my classmate
who had achieved honors in the wars Of Florid
and Mexico, and bore the titles of Colonels an
Majors.
[ arrived at the Superintendent's quarters
wavering between two lncllnatlons-war Q
peace? My better nature, however, predom
mated, and announced myself to the stalwal
orderly The man said he would carry IN
name to the Colonel, and after moments dt
lay, was ushered into that officer presence.
"Well, Mr.. -, am to understand thi
visit as hostile or friendly?'' asked the Officer
looking enquiringy, but showing no signs
trepidation. :,
GAS friendly, Colonel was my reply, g
you will accept of it as SUCH do not come
upbraid you for the modification you hav
caused me, came merely to bid you farewell.
''You should have acted thus before. 70
are too impetuous, sir-too explosive. l br
proved my friendship for you in advising ths
you should go over the first class course again