Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-07-26
HOW I BOUGHT AN ORGAN.

HOW [ BOUGHT AN ORGAN.
IF at one period of my life anybody
had told me that should ever be able
to buy an organ for our parish church
[ should have laughed him to scorn
How this u nlooked-for event came to
pass, [ am about to relate.
Ny father is rector of St. Winifred
Sunningdale. It is true his stipend
is small, but there are only few mod
ell poor people to look after, and some
half dozen country families who vie
with each other in acts of kindness to-
ward the rector, his wife, and myself,
his daughter.
The rectory is the most perfect home
in all England, and [ never intended
to leave it, but,
My life had passed very happily, fo1
l was good looking, enjoyed excellent
health, and superbundance of spirits,
which from my infancy upward often
led me into trouble, and always helped
me out again.
In an unlucky moment my parents
accepted an invitation for me to spend
six months in London with an uncle
and his family. [ enjoyed my visit
very much, and came home heart whole,
and my taste for first rate ecclesiastical
music strongly developed.
ST. Winifred had been recently reno
waited by subscription, and to the great
annoyance of the subscribers the expen-
diture was just double what was first
calculated. My proposal to get up a
concert, or bazaar, or something TO en-
able us to replace our broken down OF
gan, which was not only worn out and
toneless, but positive Disagreement
to the church, was met with such a
storm of "noes, that even [ was 81
lenced
Sunday after Sunday I listened in
silent agony to the bronchial gasps of
that wretched instrument, until verify
believe that going to church did me no
good, and [ was little better than Sir
Giles Gascoigne, who boasted that he
had not entered place of worship for
thirty years, and had never given a
peny for the benefit of our church.
[ had not the same excuse for my
wickedness that Sir Giles had, for he
was wrong in the head; not decidedly
mad, but unpleasantly eccentric. His
violent temper caused him to be dislik-
ed and feared by all who knew him,
with two exceptions, Capt Hugh Cas-
coigne, his nephew, and myself.
The secret of the old gentleman S
friendship for us was, that we did not
fear him, and very often contradicted
him.
One of Sir Giles becrliarities was a
strong desire to possess anything which
another person valued. Now it would
be horse or dog, then picture or bust
even rare species of fern in the con-
servatory OF. neighbor, which he
chanced to hear she priced, aroused
his envy, and he gave her no peace
upon it; and although it was a very
large one, he paid ii without murmur.
Whenever Capt Gascoigne offended
| his uncle, the irascible old man would
say; care you aware, sir, that [ can
cut you off with shilling, and leave
The Cedars, to be made use of as an
asylum for idiots? -
"Perfectly so, mon oncle; and [ am
quite sure you will avail yourself OF
that privilege" would be the careless
reply; and Hugh fully believed what
he said.
One day, when Hugh was on visit
to Sir Giles, he lounged into the rec
tory to spend the morning with me, as
! had been his custom since L was g
| baby in arms and he a small boy OF
ten, pupil of my fathers.
"What are you looking SO grave
about, eh, Winnie?" he. asked.
.' I do so want an organ replied,
dolefully.
Hugh burst out laughing at my
singular requirement.
"Do you wish for bird organ 2-o1
are you des1rous of making a tour in
the provinces with barrel organ and
a monkey? he asked.
"Don't talk nonsense, was my pet
tish reply; an ungratifed wish was
such a novelty to me at that time, 81
want an organ for ST. Winifred il
would cost $120; but all the people
here are so mean they will not sub
sc1ibe penny towards purchasing one.
q will subscribe 100 pence will
pleasure" said Hugh. 'sApropos O.
monkeys, I've bright idea."
He stopped down and whispered
something in my ear, and [ thought
his idea particularly bright
The next day Hugh returned to Lon
don, and when [ had seen him off b,
the train, Sunningdale seemed ver7
dull and cloudy.
It was hot August afternoon, M
mother was stitching hard at flannel
believe our poor people lived upon tha
useful fabric, for the consumption of i
both in summer and winter, was enor
nous.
g Please may have pet monkey
[ asked with an assumed air of indiffer
ence.
GA monkey" exclaimed my mother
with look of horror.
Yes, a monkey" [ replied.
" My dear child, pray do not thinl
of anything SO dreadful The yer,
idea makes me shudder," said my moth
er.
You can not have a greater horror
of the creatures than [ have, yet fol
certain. important reasons / must beal
with and caress a little ape which Hugf
will send down tomorrow from Lon
don," L answered SO declsively, that ny
mother almost wept.
Vain were my mothers endeavors tt
induce me to give up the obnoxious pet
[ was firm to my purpose
The next day came the much dread
ed guest. 1t was small ring-taileC
monkey, with bright, wistful eyes, anC
an inexhaustible supply OF feas.
When the little animal sprung from
the arms of the railway porter, VIII,
brought it from the station, on my lap
[ felt quite faint with mixture Of dis
gust and dread but 1 made an elfor
and kissed the crature, calling it b,
fond names.