Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-04-23

finger pointed to him, saying, in a ton
as loud as to attract the attention of a.
about him, That's himl that's Sanke
hisselfw
Milly's color rose, but she smiled an
nodded her thanks to her informant.
Hold the Fort" was the hymn givel
out, and what was her astOnishmen
when Bill Joined in with the clearest
sweetest, and truest of voices, Jim an,
the other two boys took their share will
a vim and heartiness which were re
freshing to hear, all of them knowing
the words, but Bills birdlike tones wer,
distinct above all the rest and held u
spell-bOund. The boys voice was mar
eel and delight.
In "C0me, thou fOuut of every bless
ing" Bill not only sang without on,
false note, but he uttered every word o.
the hymn. The rest of the hymns were
not so familiar, but nevertheless hi
car0lled forth the air even when it was
evident that he knew nothing of the
words. 81 49,
The services concluded, it was mani
fest that there was to be scramble fol
speedy exit, but MilIy's touch for Bills
shoulder arrested not only him but the
whole group, who one and all turned to
see what the lady would have with their
mate. ...-.,fr ~
"What beautiful voice you have" said
Milly; "who taught you to sing?"
Nobody teached me, it lust come. -
answered the boy, his hard face soften
ing with pleasure, "leastways the music
/ incfa ov,,f hnIv IL e. -
L guess every body knows, don't they?"
an Come, fount of blessing learned
with lot more songs when / went to
Sunday school. An for what they sing
when don't know the words, just hOl-
Ter the tune. I like it.
asked Milly. 49,
mo; an amt a-goin' to Durtherr'
answered Bill. on the defensive the mo-
ment he suspected an attempt to urge
attendance upon him. "Me an the chap
what teached the Sunday school had a
r0w-mOre nor one on 'em-an' 1 quit
for good"
"Oh, am not going to ask you to go
to Sunday school," said Milly, "at least
not if you do not like it. But did you
ever sing with piano."
"Oh, no, ant that likely?" jeered Bill.
'Where could l get the pianer to sing
by? We look like pianers, don't we, me
an Jimp passing his arm through that
of the latter. 'Me an him is chums,"
he added, growing communicative, San
warm evenings we goes around to where
we hears the pianers out of the open
winders; an sometimes we get pennies
singin' ourselves. an there's P. M.
what likes singin' an he lets us sleep
under the big stOOps on his beat 'thOut
stirrin' of us up; but us a-tunin' up to
pianers! ant that good one Jim?"
II have piano in my basement at"
giving her address, said Milly. "and if
you will come there tomorrow at nine
o'clock we will have little music. 1
will play for you and you will sing for
me-"
There ant a-gOin' to be no prayin'
nor preachin" said Jim.
"NOt word, nothing but music" said
Miily, "and you can all come or not. as
you please"
We'll come an take squint anyhow
said Jim. Il guess you're all square,
you are" and in another moment the
whole four had disappeared among the
crowd.
At the appointed time Milly's extraor-
binary guests were announced, and for
an hour she devoted herself and our old
discarded piano to their entertainment.
She played and sang for them herself,
choosing "Capt Jinks" and other kindred
effuslOns likely to be appreciated by gen.
try of their stamp; and after their first
awkwardness had worn off Bill and Jim
Joined in some of these. Then she let
the boys sing alone, accompanying them
with the piano, and applauded them
with much stamping of feet and
clapping of hands. Meanwhile the
household had gathered upon the
basement stairs and in the hall, en-
tranced by the wonderful power and
sweetness of Bills voice, which rose clear
above those of his fellows.
"YOu may come again on Saturday, if
you choose" said Milly, when she at
length dismissed them with their hands
filled with cake and apples.
After this 1T came to be an understood
thing that they were to come every
Wednesday end Saturday morning for an
hour of music, and Milly attempted
nothing further, save that hymns came
to form part of the exercises. 1t was
literally service of sOng," and it was
through this and the "pianer," through
the love of sweet sounds which held cap
tive their rough natures, that she gained
a firm hold upon their hearts.
Bill is now errand boy in brother Ed
wards Office down town, and many a
hurried business man checks his steps
and turns wOnderingly to listen as the
boy goes by with the music which he
cannot help thrilling from his lips.
Jim, rejoicing in shoes and stockings,
whole jacket and trOwsers, with shirt be-
meath, and, occasionally, clean hands
and face and cOmbed hair, is our shoe
black, errand boy, knife-cleaner, snow
shOveler, Observation-Disclosures, ready and
willing to do any ones bidding, but still
full of pranks, and the torment and de-
light of our old cook, Mary Jane, who
declares forty times a day that her
"heart is broke with that by" and who
alternately snubs and pets that Shy"
who saves her many a weary step. He
and Bill have both changed their minds
about Sunday school, volunteering at
tendance at Edwards class, and being
as regular as their teacher; while the
other two boys have been sent off to good
houses in the west.
And this is how Milly trapped her
game.
lNGERSOLL'S CREED.