The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-01-13

sprlhS-Llme. AS lor lnysel1, scarce
ly an evening passed, in which l
was not betrayed into beating
time with my foot to "Auld Lang
Syne," "Hail Columbia" or "Com-
in through the Rye" in response
to my neighbor's CHEEKY whistle.
Our children, also, caught the in
fection, and would commence sing.
ing on the instant our neighbor
tuned his pipes. Verify he was
our benefactor-the harping David
to our Saul.
"You live at No. SO, l think" )"
said q gentleman whose face was
familiar: though l was not able to
call his name. We were sitting
side by side in the cars.
| answered in the affirmative.
$50 l thought" he replied. Il
live at 514-sccond door east
"Mr. Gordon"
"Yes, sir, that is my name
Pleasant houses, but mere shells"
Then with look of disgust on
his face, "Doesn't that whistling
fellow between US annoy you ter
ribly? I've got so out Of all pa
tience, that | shall either move Or
silence him. Whistle, whistle,
from morning till night. Pah! l
always detest whistling. "lt's a
sign Of no brains. I've written
him q noto twice, but failed to
send either time it isn't pleasant
TO quarrel with q neiyhbor if you
can help IT,"
"lt doesn't annoy me at all, L
answered. "1ndced, l rather like
it,"
"You do? Well, that's singular :?
Just what my wife says"
"First-rate for the blue devils, |
find. I'm indebted to my whist
ling friend for sundry favo in
this direction"
My new acquaintance looked at
mo seriously.
"You are not in earnest?" said
he, halt:amused smile breaking
through the unamiable expression
which his face had assumed.
"Altcgether in earnest; and |
beg Of you not to send that note.
So your wife is not annoyed" ?"
"Not she."
"Is she musical ?" I inquired.
She was; but of late years life
has been rather q serious matter
with US, and her singing birds
have died or lost the heart for mu-
sic"
"The history Of many other
lives," said.
The man sighed family.
"Has there been any recent
change ?" | ventured to inquire.
"ln what respect t?" he asked.
HAS there been no voice from
the singing-birds ?"
A new expression came sudden
ly into the mans face.
"Why, ycs," hc answered, "now
that l think of it, there have been
some low ftful warblings. Only
last evening the voice of my wife
stole out, as if half afraid, and
trembled little on the words of
an old song"
"The air Of which our noighbor
was wbistling at the time," said I
"Right as live !" was my com
panion's exclamation, after a pause
slapping his hand on his knee. l
could hardly help smiling at the
look of wonder, and amusement
and conviction, that blended on
his face.
81 would not send that note
said l meaninSly.
"No, hang me if 1 do! l must
study this case. I'm something Of
a philosopher, you must know. Il
our neighbor can waken the sing
ing-birdS in the heart of my wife
he may whistle till the crack O.
doom without hindrance from
me. I'm obliged TO you for the
suggestion"
A week afterwards met hin
again. "What about the singing
birds ?" l asked, smiling.
"All alive again, thank God =
he answered, with a heartiness 0
manner that caused me to looE
narrowly into his face. 1t wore &;
better expression than when oh
served it last.
"Theh you did not send tina
note?'
"No, sir. Why since, I say
you I've actually taken to whist
ling and humming old tunes again
and you can't tell how much bette
it makes me feel. And the chill
dren are becoming as merry an
musical as crickets. Our friend
whistle sets them all a-going, lik
the first signal warble Of q bird a
day.dawn that a 1akens the wood
to melody"