The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-02
Entertaining a Choir.

petual turmoil.
1 could Withstand this with COM
mendable degree of patience would they
give us old familiar songs and tunes
but in lieu thereof, we have something
that would even puzzle Watts, or any
of the old hymn-makers, to make either
head or tail, middle or beginning out of.
"Once upon time" had the honor
to lead the good old-fashioned choir OF
the aristocratio church of our neighbor-
hood. Then it was that when pitched
the tune, they went ahead, and did up
the business on hand in short meter,
and took their seats hlse wen-behaved
and modest set of people; and those
were the times that tried the muscular
arrangements of the throat and mouth
but now
Let me tell you.
Jane-Jane is my oldest daughter
she is member of the choir, of the
Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and 1 don't
remember how many other clubs besides.
The choir meet for practice every Friday
evening. They meet at the several resi-
dences of its members. Last Friday
evening mine was the house to be given
UP to the sacrifice.
I debated within myself whether to
become oblivious to all sounds, sweet or
otherwise, by liberal potations of liquor,
or to take refuge with some kind but
distantly-removed friend.
Jane noticed my troubled mind, as re-
fected on my countenance. She bade
me for her sake to cheer up, and enter
tain the pon-combatants singers, L
should have said.
They oame-the organ, the choir, and
the audience; filing the house to over
flowing, save one room, which l had
reserved for myself and my particular
friends.
Obedient to my daughters request,
made myself conspicuous by my acts of
gallantry, especially to the young and
fair-out of which number 1 expect to
choose my second wife, at some future
b day.
The first song or two was remarkably
well done, being of the simple, plain old
school of long time ago. The next on
the repertoire was an anthem. Com
posed of but eighteen words, it required
three hours and half Of unrelaxed eff
fort on the part of the choir to finish it
off.
The organist struck up, and ratified
off a medley composed of "Oh, for a
thousand tongues" "Old dog Tray"
Put me in my little Bed" etc. Then
the leader in q sleepy tone, sung "Praise,"
the alto Per- aise," the basso,
"P-e-r-a-i-s-e," then they subsidized
and suddenly, as if struck by streak OF
lightning, all joined in Praiseyethe-
Lord" The female portion here rested,
while the males went at it again.
praise We, praise ye-ye praise, ye
praise ye--the hee-hee-hee-the Lor
the or-thelothelothelo." Then the
femenines took turn in about the
same manner.
But the thing couldn't last, sure. II
was now nearly ten o'clock, and the
anthem not half through with. Myself
and friends paid quite number O.
visits to our room, to consult over thi!
style of music, and to sample the Bour'
bon. We now bolted the door, ano
went into secret session.
Hank says Jim White, "do yor
know what 1 think is the matter dowI
therep The last word of that sentence
that they are at now is Lord. according
to the best of my belief. Now, give nj
pen, ink and paper"
indited note to the leader, teemins
with compliments, and suggesting th'
lost word.
Teogue, the Irish boy, was called, anc
commanded to carry the note to Docto
Brightmaa (the leader) without delay
The messenger performed his part ad
mirably. Rushing into the midst of th
singers, with loud voice, he proclaimed
to the doctor:
"There's dead man wants to see you
sur, and here's letther he sent you"
The music ceased, the note was perused
and the anxious crowd of inquirers i'm
formed that the dead man was of thei
own numbering.
Again they resumed their song, wit
but little hopes for speedy conclusion
Now, if this was my house." say
Jim, I'D turn the whole lot of 'em out.
but you wouldn't tell them to qui
in so many words, would your"
mo. Start 'em up with an earth
quake, or something of the sort. Where
the cannon yeu celebrated with las
year,"
Housed up, down in the cellar"
"Just the argument-just the place
Now, one more bumper all around, an
to this sentiment: Here's to the lam'
and broken-winded,' vainly endeavorin
to escape the Day of Judgment. Ma
they have abundance of faith to carr
them through the trying ordeal in a bt
coming manner. Hank, take the hgh
and show the way."'
1 suppose my head must have bee
affected by the stimulants, besides bein
confused by the noise, or I should neve
have consented; but that is neither heI
or there. We unearthed the article
small-sized, but loud-toned instrumer
of war. Jim installed himself as chit
gunner, while served as powdel
monkey, supplying him with two ont
pound canisters, and couple Of cast-o
petticosts for wadding.
All was ready for action.
"Now, wait" says Jim to the ma
who had volunteered to apply tt
match" wait until they simmer dow
on the little end of that Forever an
then let her rip"
"For ev-"
mot yet" says Jim.
r-ev-ev-ev-for-ev," came loud'
and more of ofit-"f-o-r-e-v-e-r"
An explosion followed, which can
near denolishing the entire fabric. I'll
glass ratified from the sash, and the el
tire population of the house made fl
the doors and windows. Some ran
the yillapa for assistance but mora r.