Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-05

heard rumorsP Oh 10 was gloriOusi Tho
first few strokes Of my bow gave me conf
dence. and did well, and know II, through
the hymn, through the chants and on to the
anthem before the sermon. That was to be
the gem Of the evening; Il was HANDLES
then new anthem, 81 know that my Redeeni-
er livethn
IL began-harsh, inharmonious, out oft tune
I know not why or how; but rs Il pro-
crossed, spell seemed upon all but her and
myself: one by ono the instruments ceased
and were silent; ono by one tho voices died
away and wero lost, and she and alone,
bound together and driven on by AN irresist-
ible impulse, went through the anthcm ono
soul. one spirit seemed to animate both The
whole congregation listened brcathlcss rs to
an angel and she, self-absorbed and like
one in trance, sang, filling me with de-
lcous sense Of peace and emulation, the
like Of which have never known since.
It came to an end at last, and with the last
triumphant note l fell forward on the desk
in n swoon.
When recovered found myself at home
in my own room. with tho rector, the doc
tor, and my parents there, and / heard the
doctor say:
81 told you he would, my dear madame; l
knew he would"
"Thank Godl" murmured my mother.
"My dear boy, how We have feared for YOU"
What difference l was courted and
made much OF. "Genius," and every clev-
en-" and delightful talent" such were the
expressions / now heard, instead of "stu-.
pid, awkward" and unfit for anything"
| My father bought fine instrument, and
was the hero of the village for months.
1t was some days after that Sunday that
ventured to ask about tho rector's niece.
my dear boy" said my mother, "tho like
was never heard. We saw you there and
wondered what you were doing; but as soon
rs we saw you with the bow, we knew you
must BIO tho person thnre'd been so much
talk about; and then, when tho anthem
came, and we all left of singing, and they
all left off playing, and only you and Miss
Cecilia Kept on, we were all in tears. saw
even the rector crying; and, poor girl she
seemed rs if in dream and so did you; it
was dreadful for me to see you with your
eyes fixed on her, watching her so eagerly.
And then to look Mt her staring up ut the
stained glass window as if she could SEQ
through it, miles away into the sky. OH
I'm sure, the like never was and then,
when you fell down, screamed, and your
father ran up and carried you down, and
brought you home in Farmer SHADES four
wheeler"
After this had an invitation to 90 up to
the rectory, and there, in tho long winter
evenings. we used to sit and while played
she sang. Obi those happy times when
she loved me, but only rs dear friend and
loved her rs never had loved before or
could love again. do not know the kind of
love had for her. l was but little older
than she was, but l felt rs father might
feel towards his daughter; n sweet tender
ness and love that made me pitiful to her.
knew she loved man unworthy of her, and
l think, ut times. she felt this herself and
knew 1 felt it.
l was perfectly free of the rector's house
at last and we used TO find in our music
means of converse that Our tongues could
never have known. Ah-me! those days!
Gone! Alas! they are gone.
| ShS iNik NO ~ hASb anu III ~ lew ytstlS HCI
motherless child came back in her place,
and us [ again sit in the old rectory parlor,
years and years after my first visit, with her
daughter beside me singing--but, alas! not
with her mothers voice-all the old memo
ries flood back upon me, and l feel n CRATE
full, calm joy IN tho openly-shown respect
and affection of The daughter Of her whom
loved so silently, so tenderly, and so long.
sit in the old seat in the church now and
play; and, once in the year, the old anthem
but the voice is gone that filed tho old
church as with glory that day. feel, as the
sounds swell out. and the strings vibr4.te I'M
der my withered fingers, | am but waiting
to be near her under the old yev tree out
side, and it may be, nearer to her still in the
longed-for future. ERAXNUs.