The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-03
THE CORNET SOLO.
A story of New England.

The perfect New England summer
was over and gone, and the autumn haC
followed it in triumphal procession o
splendors.
1t was the morning of Thanksgiving
Day, when, according to ancient usage,
the first snow of the season should ap-
pear, and here it was, on hand with
true Puritan punctuality.
.How gracefully falls the snow!
d Like heavenly answers TO earthly prayers,
Like angels descending by unseen stairs
To succor the world below"
"A mother and son stood at the win
dow of small house in the village, and
1T was the woman's cheerful tones that
repeated the quatrain.
s'There, Nathan" she went on; 81
cut that out of a newspaper last year,
IN they's good deal more of it, 1t
sounds just as the snow looks. Lemme
see, how does the rest of it go? Like
swarm of meek N Immaculate doves
no, that amt the nextn-
"Now, mother" broke in her hus-
band, the old sexton, who stood by the
breakfast table; ''poetry n meek dove S
all well enough N their places, but
when mans hungry they amt film.
The chicken m johnnY-cake's gittin'
cold, m the coffee-pot's bilin' over
onto the stove. Come, come"
Eyes, father, Nathan ought to be
hungry, too, for he's been polishin' his
cornet ever sence six o'clock. It's a
year ago to-day that Miss st. John sent
it to you, amt it NathanP" said the
mother, seating her blind boy at the
fah IAA Of l.. &c Il c.
with regretful pride.
II know. I've been thinking about
it all the morning, but I'm afraid it
any of any use for me to try to do as she
said. A blind man can't be half q man.
o, if 1 could see. mother. if l could
seer' .......
The great tears came into the young
mans sightless eyes, and then brave,
bright smile TRANSPORTED his face sud-
denly. sn
g But won't be discouraged Thanks.
giving Day, would you, motherP"
go, no." returned the serene voice,
." IN you needn't to be, my son. There's
soul in that music o. yourn, Nathan,
jest as true's the world. N if it's 8
happy soul, it's bound to help, dom
you seep Mis- st. John knew what she
was about when she give you that silvel
corhet. l can see, every Sunday, how
your solo kinds O. puts courage into ZEN
all. They seem stirred up, like s i
their hearts ID been poked after n
found. An poor Mis- Raymond unde
the gallery, she alwus draws her vel
down m cries. But she says it's al
awful comfort to hear you play, for i
makes her feel IS if her Rob that wen
astray might come back to her some
time, m s if p'raps her Lowry nigh
settle. down m be stiddy, too"
'''Pears to me, mother" said tn
sexton, with a twinkle in his keen eyes
'you know pretty much all that's goin
on n meetin'. Cann't say It l eve
ketch We lookin' round, nuther, bu
that's on account of my tendin' to til
minister SO close, l expect" lt4
Yes do look round, Thomas, n
b'lieve in lookin' round. 'Tain't M
neighbours new bunnits m cloaks
want to see. It's the New Jerusaler
look in their faces that Pm after"
Here brisk stamping was heard OF
the doorstep, and Nathan had only tim
to say, 50 There's Louise" when tn
door opened and very pretty youn,
girl entered. Her apple blossom fac
wore discontinued look, which light
ened a little as her quick glance too
IN the cozy room. Its comfortable pre-
cincts seemed indeed fit abode for al
the homely household fairies, and
curious tranquility and peace pervade,
the place like an actual presence.
"What manner o worms the airl
bird after tbss mornin'f" said the sex
ton. kindly. ''Come m set ri down I
table, LOWRY; we're glad to see ye.''
81 wish you'd call me Louise, Mr.
Skeeie. Lowizy's horrid. No, py
had my breakfast, thank you. Icon
down to the Office to post letter, N
mother said I'd better come in m see
Icould help about dinner. Shell com
herself, right after church, But III
sure don't know what to do, m s
don't see any sense in having Thank.
giving Day either. What's the use {
making believe you're thankful whe
you amt" 49,, -... MT. 1...i-T
The sexton. having finished his breal
fast with the utmost dispatch, ha
taken his overcoat from its nail in tb
corner and was making hastet to depar
accompanying himself in a low, grow
ing bass voice, as follows:
,c~.1 "a soul Injured to pain,l .4st.r.
Tohardship grief and loss"
Which two lines he repeated many tim,
with evident great satisfaction. B,
when, with keys in hand, he was abov
to sally forth to his morning. dutie
he came behind Louise as she sat sill
ping her coffee at the fire, and putin
his great hand gently on her shinir
head, said: moo lp t9i"Ie.p 9o w
Look at Nathan there, Twin in h
dark world. He's the chipperest cree
ur that ever was born. i amt worr
about 70 mite, Loezy. You'll con