Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-02-02
AY,F

You should suppose him capable of
filing Mr.. Armitage's place, and no
wonder. I am, myself. And I
think better of his voice than he
does"
"Fiddle-stickw said he. "Armi-
tage does very well but I know him;
his range is limited"
EXACTLY" said the organist. "It
is. / don't dispute his voice, his
execution, and all that, but his i'm
pcrtinence and presumption l will
endure no longer. I have said that
if we must have congregational
singing tomorrow, instead of a
quartette, congregational singing
we will have. But may I not hope,
sir, that you will come over and
help me?"
Pierce Rogers still looked be-
wildered, and Louisa doubtful. He
could not conceal his embarrass-
,nent and perplexity. Here was an
opportunity, and tho painful con-
seriousness that he had not steadi-
ness of nerve and potence of will to
make the most Of it. 70 be first
ratc singer in the choir Of . first
rate church might not be an ambi-
ton worthy of the man who, five or
six years ago, was thinking of him.
self as an architect who, possibly,
might some day be regarded as the
peer of Sir Christopher Wren, in the
judgment Of the world: but then had
he not from that height of aspiring
hope descended to attune himselfto
harmony with Tom, Dick, and
Harry, in dark places underground? ?
And then how often had Armit-
age snubbed him, in old times, when
they sang in the same glee club;
and in later years by entirely ceas-
ing to recognize him! If-oh if he
could only feel SO certain Of him.
selfas to dare close with the woman's
proposal at once!
"Do come" she urged, pcrceiving
his hesitation. "Come tomorrow
l am sure You will not need re-
hearsal even. But here, l have the
music with me which we are to
sing. Let me try your piano. /
would SO like to have a success
right away, and show Mr.. Armitage
the truth for once. Why 1t would
bo little short of = miracle! Don't
you think / may?"
She addressed Louisa now. Had
she comprehended the situation OF
affairs in that little household?
"Pray, Pierce" said Louisa, "try
the music for the fun Of the thing.
Did you ever hear of anything SO
odd?" She spoke in an undertone
to her husband. She had enough
confidence in him, then, to wish
him to make the trial. If she had
looked at him dismayed, or regret
full, he would never have made the
effort, but now he got up and walked
unsteadily to tho piano. In that
moment the two women exchanged
a glance, and so they understood
each other.
at seems ridiculous that should
attempt church music" said Pierce,
sitting down at the instrument with
an air that brought tears into his
wife's eyes.
"No, l do assure you," said the
delighted organist.
"You remember how easy it used
to be about five hundred years ago,
and how pleasant it was," said
Louisa, her voice full of rcmini.
scence.
"That was very different" he
answered. "a small country con
gregation is not expccpted to require
what fashionable church must
have whether orno. Now, l must
say, madame, ! wonder that you dis.
missed Armitage." He leaned
against the piano as he spoke, and
looked as if prepared to enter into
long argument.
81 don't" she replied with spirit
"Just you help me to prove what
know is the fact, that there are
voices, not many, perhaps, but one
or two, at least, quite equal to his
in quality and cultivation"
How we'll that was said, while
she had her back to him, and was
drawing off her gloves and arrang
ing her music, and, apparently, as
far from an intent to flatter him into
her service as the sun is from such
intent when he makes the wayside
flower blush into it's best beauty.
Well now-was the battle fought t.
the victory won, because next day
one-half Of the worshipers in St
James did no, know whence came
the 'ssupcrb tenor" who sang instead
of Mr.. Armitage? Because Pierce
Rogers stayed home that Saturday
night and became sober, and really
seemed to forget his engagement At
the club?
Who will believe it that knows
anything of human flesh and blood! p!
Monday night, Louisa might as well
have undertaken to control Niagara
as Pierce; and for three days this
"superb tenor" was speechless as
the dead. Nevertheless he has
never, since his first Sunday, lost a
service in tho church where first
class music is foremost necessity;
and l am certain that, as my friend
the organist never did braver thing
than to dismiss Mr.. Armitage, SO
also she never performed an act for
which all Christians worshiping in
St. James have so great cause to
rejoice, as that which led a falling
man in among them to exalt "thc
Lords song" in what was, to him, "a
strange land" indeed.
If you had not this woman to help
you Louisa, I would cry aloud ia
Christendom for prayers in your
behalf. But remember that che
prayeth best who lovcth best;" so,
ten to one, You and the organist
will give back to tho world yet, il
not 4 Sir Christopher Wren, man
who has repaired his own founda'
tions. and gone on with the erection