Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-07-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Barber's Advancement.

Der s ShOp nara Dy tne canterbury SaIhenFdI'
1t is primitive shop, with the red and white
pole over the door, and a modest display OF
wigs and puff boxes in the window. A small
shop, but notwithstanding its smallness, the
best shop of its kind in Canterbury; and its
lean, stiff, exceedingly respectable master is
q man of good repute in the Cathedral town.
His hands have, ere now, powdered the Arch
bishops wig, and he is specially retained by
the chief clergy of the city and neighborhood
to keep their false hair in order, and trim the
natural tresses of their children. Not only
have the .dignitaries of the Cathedral taken
the worthy barber under their special pro-
tectf6n, but they have extended their care to
his little boy, Charles, q demuye, prim lad,
who 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 DIR. Osmund Beau
voir, the master of the school, gives him SO
good character for industry and dutiful de-
meanor that some of the Cathedral ecclesias-
tics have resolved to make the little fellows
fortune, by placing him in the office of a
choirister. There is a vacant place in the
Cathedral choir; and the boy who is lucky
enough.to receive the appointment will be
provided for munifcently. He will forth
with have maintenance, and in course of
CltQe MS salary VIII -De SSIU per
During the last fortnight the barber has
been in great and constant excitement hoping
that his boy will obtain this valuable place
of preferment; persuading himself that the
lads thickness of voice, concerning which
the choir master spoke with aggravating per>
sstence and fearing that the friends of
another contemporary boy, who is said by the
choir master to have an exceedingly melifiu-
Gus voice, may defeat his paternal aspirations.
The momentous question agitates many hum
BILE homes in Canterbury; and while Mr..
Abbott, the barber, is encouraged to hope the
best for his son, the relatives and supporters
of the contemporary boy are urging him not
to despair. Party spirit prevails on either
side-Mr. Abbott's family associates maintain
ing that the contemporary boys higher notes
resemble those of aPenny whistle; while the
contemporary boys father, with much satire
and justice, inurmurs that "old Abbott, who
is the gossip -mongeF of the parsons, wants to-
push his son into,a place for which there isl
better candidate"
To-day is the eventful day when the elec.'
tion 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 neighbor, his Charley is chanting
the ''Old Hundredth" before the whole
chapter. When Charley has been put through
his vocal piece, the contemporary boy is re-
quested to sing. Whereupon that clear
throated competition, sustained by self conf
dence anda new laid egg which he had sucked
scarcely minute before, made bow to their
reverences, and sings ou: with such rchAess
and compass that all tha auditory recognize
his great superiority. -
Ere ten minutes had passed, Charley Alb
bott knows that he has lost the election and
he hastens from the Cathedral with quick
steps. Running into the shop, he gives his
father one look that tells the whole story of
Of failure, and then the little fellow, unable to
command his grief, sets down upon the floor
and sobs convulsively.
Failure is often the first step to eminence.
Had the boy gained the chorister's place he
would have been cathedral servant all his
days.
Having failed to get it, he returned to the
Kings School, went as poor scholar to Ok
ford, and fought his way to honor. He be-
came Chief Justice to the Kings bench and
peer to the realm. Toward the close of this
honorable career Lord Tenterden attended
services in the Cathedral of Canterbury, ac-
companied by Nj. Justice Richardson. When
the ceremonial was at an end, the Chief JUS
tiee said to his friend ''Do yoq see that old
man there among the choristers? In him
brother Richardson, behold the only being I
ever envied when at school in this town we
were candidates for ehorister's place, he OBJ
tanned it; and if [ had gained my wish he
might have been accompanying you as Chief
Justice, and pointing me out as his old scholl
fellow, the singing man.