South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-12-19
Finding A Home.


Well for him that he possessed fortitude and
persistence. He asked no mans advice
touching the manner of life he should
pursue.
A, the age of two. and twenty PHIL. BAR.
Toll came home from sea with his mind
made up that he would go to sea no more.
at least for the present. Not as most young
men study did PHILIP BARToL study. He
did not cast about for the greatest sum of
present comforts aud joys. In the solitude
OF his chamber, at an obscure tavern, he sat
and pondered. The mental picture he drew
was old age. What kind of an old age
would be like to arrive at? That was the
question of his mind aud after long and
serious study he concluded what he would
like for the surroundings of his advancing
years and he also planned what he would
do toward the desired end.
Add PHILIP BARToL went out and bot
him kuapsack, into which he packed
change of clothing, aud then, in stout,
homely gnrb-such as tailors wear-he was
ready to set forth.
And despite the bronze upon his skin,
and the garb of toll that clothed him, PHIL
Ip was handsome man. He was tall and
strong; full aud perfect in every manly
point erect and firm; with q magnificent
head upon his broad shoulders and face
in which the dauntless light of honor aud
courage enhanced an otherwise classic
beauty
'Wbere now, PHILIP 2" asked friend,
who had observed his notes of preparation.
"lnto the country, Tom, in search of
home"
"a bonoo ~
"Yes-a home That's what am 90
ing to try to find"
And on the next day PHILIP went away.
Ii was on an evening in June that Phil
Up BARToL arrived in the qniet village of
Ashton, and there sought for work. He
found 1t upon the farm Of WORTHY man.
who was glad enough to secure the services
OF so able and honest an appearing lahorer.
The farmer was a Mr.. LARRABEE, and dea.
con of the village church. His dwelling
was in the village, his broad acres stretched
away over the hills and wales beyond.
PHILIP worked well, aud as be worked
he sang. Saturday evening came, aud the
church choir met at the Deacon's house TO
practice.
Would not PHILIP join them
Without pride, PHILIP felt that his voice
would be help to them, and he joined them
cheerfully.
A help indeed Such voice hid new
or been heard in Ashton before. God makes
our native leaders, aud we recognize and
adopt them. PHILIP BARToL could not
| sing in thai choir and not lead it.
OF course he sat in the singing seats on
the Sabbath, and thus he lesped, at bound,
lato the good graces of the honest people of
the fair country town.
On that Saturday evening, in the Dea-
cons rarlOr, PHILIP caught sound tina,
startled him. 1t was a female voice. az
clear az flute, and as soft as the dulcimer
of a hooking bird. Ia its loveliest and 10
its highest strains there was not harsh
cadence. IL was sweet and pure, and sweet
snd pure only. Such voice is not oDly
attractive, but it is an index 10 the inner
being. PHILIP looked upon the owner of
the voice, and he was not disappointed A
glrl Jdst burst into wOmanhood-perhaps
twenty years Of age-heathful and glowing
her form exactly such as Pbidias would
have chosen for the model of female
perfection And her dress simple and neat.
Her face was always happy when she was
singing with her frieuds-aud the rich
brow curls foated down over her shoulders.
sweeping back from her frank, handsome
brow, with not particle Of Communication
save the wave and gloss which nature had
given them.
At the first recess, the Deacon, who had
been an apprecative listener, introduced
his new hand to the other singers, and thus
PHILIP found that the girl of the sweet
voice aud sunny face was CLARA PALMER,
the daughter Of the village physician.
When they resumed their places for sing
Jog again, PULP was placed in the centre.
These people we're not envious. They re-
cognizod the quality Of this new singer,
and they sought at once to make proper
use Of it.
And thus PHILIP found himself by the
side of CLARA PALMER.
Those Of you who have sung in choir,
or 10 a chorus, know the timid depend up
on the leading Of the sure and confident.
As naturally as water runs down bill, and
as soft clouds float in the air, did CLARA.
when she caught the strong, true voice lean
upon 1t. She leaned upon its prompt, bold
rhythm, and upon its rich and exact
harmony. She felt that she was singing
better than she bad ever sung, and others
may have thought the same.
ooh ~ said NErTrE BLAKE, when there
came pause in the singing, "why can't
we sing the Anthem Of the Redeemed
Mr. BARToL and CLARA can sing the duet,
sm sure"
The idea was caught up eagerly by the
others, and PHILIP consented to try il.