The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-04-22
a sCRIPTGRAG PANORAMA.

Long ago, before hc got famous and
MADE IA book, Mark Twain wrote this en-
lortaining history; and he has dune no
thing better, simply because it cannot be
Cxcriled:
There was fellow travelling around with
moral, religious show-a sort of Scriptural
pauorama-aud lie hired a Woodeu>headed
old slab to play the piano for him. After
tie first nights performance, the Snowman
yail
My friend. you seem to know pretty
much ali the tunes there are. aud you seem
20 worry along first rate. But then, don't
you uotce that last night the pieces you
happened to be playing was little rough
on the proprietor, to speak-didn't seem
." jlbe with the general gait of the picture
That was passing ~ the time it we're
was ht'i, foreign to the sulj ct. you know,
rs if you e.,Aer didn't trump or follow suit
YOU understand 2'
Wei. Do,' the f.llow said he had not
noticed, but it might be lie had played along
Just as it had come handy.
So they put it up thai the simple old
dummy was to keep his eve on the .:anoia-
ma after that. and as soon as Il stunning
picture was reeIed cut, he wss to 60 it to a
dot with piece OF music that would help
the audience to get the idea Of the subject
aud warm them up like camp meeting re-
vival. This sort of thing would corral their
sympathies, tie Snowman said.
There Was a big audience that night,
mostly middle-aged and old people who be-
'ouged to the church and took a strong in
,erest in Bible matters, and the balance
were pretty much young foiks-they always 5
come out strong on pan Dramas, you know,
because it gives them a Glance to try one
another's mug in the dark.
Well. the Snowman Legan to swell himself
mp for his lecture, and the eld mud dauber
tackled the piano and run his fingers up and
down once or twice to see that it was all
right, and the fellow behind the curtain
commenced to grind out the panorama. The
Snowman balanced his weight on his right
foot. propped his hands over his hips and
flung his eyes over his shoulder at the scene
y, and said:
Ladies and gentlemen. the painting now
gefore you illustrates the beautiful and touch
fng parable of the Prodigal Son. Observe
he happy expression just breaking over the
features Of the poor suffering youth-so
worn and weary with his long march; note
also the ecstacy beaniDg from the uplfJed
countenance Of his aged father. and the Joy
that sparkles in the eyes Of the excited group
u youths aud maidens, which seemed ready
20 burst from their lips. The lesson, my
friends, is as solemn and instructive as the
story is tender and beautiful"
The mud-dauber all ready. and when
he second speech was finished he struck up:
20, weI all get blind drunk
When Johnny comes marching home"
Some of the people giggled, and some
groaued. The horrited Snowman could not
lay word. He looked at the pianist sharp.
nut be was ali lovely and sercne-he didu I
Enow there was anything out of gear
The pan rama moved ON and the show
man drummed up his grit and started in
fresh:
Ladies and gentlemen, the fine picture
LOW unfolding itself to your gaze exhibits
one Of the must notable events in Bible his
tory-our Saviour and his disciples upon tho
sea of Galilee. How grand. how awe-iuypir-
ing are the reflections hich the subject in
vokes What sublimity of faith is revealed
% us in this lesson from the sacred writings.
d he Saviour rebukes the angry waters. and
walks securely upon the deep"
All around they were whispering. 90
no" lovely, low beautiful" :" and The orches
ira let himself out again
90, life on the ocean wave,
And home on the rolling deep
There was good deal Of honest snicker-
ng turned on this time. and considerable
Sroaning, and one or two old deacons got
p and went out. The Snowman gritted his
teeth aud cursed the piano man TO himself,
ont the fellow sat there like knot on a log,
and seemed to think he was doing first-rete.
After things got quiet, the Snowman
thought he would make another stagger at
t, anyhow, though his confidence was be-
ginning to get mighty shaky. The supes
started the panorama to grinding along
again. and be said
This exquisite picture. ladies and gen
iIemen. illustrates the raising of Lazarus
rom the dead by our Saviour. The subject
as been handled with rare ability by the
artist. and such touching sweetness and
tenderness OF expression has he thrown into
It, that l have known peculiarly sensitive
persons to be even affected 10 tears by look
'ng at 1t. Observe the half confused, half
}nquiring hook upon the countenance of the
awakened Lazarus. Observe. also, the atti-
tude and expression of the Saviour. who
takes him gently by the sleeve Of his shroud
with one hand. while he points with the
other towards the distant city
Before any could get of an opinion in the
case, the ;uuocent old ass at the piano struck
up:
Come, rise mp William Ri i-ley,
And go along with me
II was rougb on the audience, you bet
Al! the solemn old bags got up in huff 10
20, and everybody else laughed until the
windows ratified.
The Snowman went down and grabbed
me orchestra. and shook him pp, aud said I:
I" That lets you out, you chowder-headed
cd clam Go to the doer-keeper and get
yonr money. ard cut Jour stick-vamose
ne rancho 20
Ladies and gentlemen, circumstances
over which have no control compels me
ematnreiy TO dismiss this audisnce.''