Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-06
sTAUNToN, VA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1867.

rate followed by huntsman's call. Compost
tion No. 2. then underwent the ordeal some
faint expression Of appreciation was vouchsafed
by the audience, for the winding melody was
lively and pleasing. An old fashioned anthem
was then sung by the choir the rolling basso
blacksmith with astounding effect No. g. of
the rival fugues came next. The first notes of
the hhema had scarcely fallen upon the ears of
the listeners, when Herr Klineberg, who occu-
pied seat in the gallery, was seen to rise up,
and turn his ear in the direction of the orches-
ira, as if to catch every note Preston Wallace
too, turned his eyes towards Effe and she. In
return, nodded as much as to say-'1 under
stand YOU ~
The audience, though little versed in the
mysteries OF harmony, seemed more than usu
ally attentive there was something winning in
the sweet little melody that wound its way
through the mass of harmony; the cords of the
hearts seemed touched, and each vibrated in
unison to the concord of sweet sounds. At
its conclusion an evident sensation was created,
sort Of buzzing sound among the staid listen
ers, which at length burst out into loud peal
of applause; Herr Klineberg being among the
most vociferous. Effe smiled and Preston
Wallace looked triumphant, for he saw that
Potts had caught the enthusiasm Of the au-
dience.
Another anthem, in which Efle's soprano
and Preston's tenor were made conspicuous
In duet, was then sung. No. A. of the rival
fugues was then rendered. but with very little
effect on the listeners, whose minds seemed to
be made up as to the merits of the productions
or else they had had surfeit Of heavy music
The musicians then consulted among them
selves while the audience speculated as to who
was the lucky candidate. Atlength the lobster
nosed leader announced that they 1.-THE. orches,
tra) could not agree as to the merits Of the diff
ferent productions and had left the decision to
the judgment of the audience. He recon-
mended that they should decide the question
by their applause. The numbers were then
called out and when No. g. was announced the
building shook with very unholy clapplng OF
hands, while all the rest were received in 81
lence
It then became the duty of the leader to an
nounce the name of the successful candidate,
which, with some degree of chagrin, he did in
the following language.
''Laties and shentlemens:- ay ze pleasure
OF announcing to YOU re name OF von compo-
or it may pc aa m6,9'ae plane however / shall
announce him as he is-Preston Wallace.
The audience were dumb with astonishnent; !;
Deacon Potts dropped his baton and opened
his mouth as wide (almost) as the entrance to
the great Kentucky cave. Could it be that his
clerk-his tenore primo had beaten some of the
greatest musical scholars of the land? All eyes
were fixed upon the portly director, wondering
how he would act in this emergency. lie at
length took the manuscript, glanced over it
hurriedly-read the name that accompanied it
carefully, and then calling the young Ssldent to
him he said, loud enough to be heard by all
Preston my boy-1 can forgive you the
trick you have been playing upon me- Had !
known Won were Ser accom- nlishpd A. musician,
never would have planned this festival, but Eff
ie should have been yours on the asking. AS
it is. take her with my blessing, but ON one
condition-you both must continue members O
the choir.
A round Of applause greeted the old gentle
man as he shook Wallace warmly by the hand
OF course the reader will guess that Preston
Wallace and Effe Potts were married-so they
were