St. Landry democrat., 1881-11-05


person with whom he talked. But nc
harm was known of him, and he found
in Tranteigue plenty of exercise for his
art.
Raoul Tegot, on the contrary, was a
native OF the town; and, together with
his young son, Francois, was beloved
by all. He had married one of the vii
lage maidens, and had been so incon-
solable at her death, which occurred
when Francois was baby, that he new
er thought more of marriage; but de-
voted himself to his child and his art.
He was certainly a very able must
clan. and, being so universally liked,
many people urged that public per-
Torrance be dispensed with, and that
he be elected at once. But although
Baptiste Lacomb was not liked, his skill
found many admirers; and, besides, it
was tlatter,ng to the worthy country
folk to think of sitting solemnly in judg-
ment at the great church; and so the
proposed plan was adhered to.
Finally. the weeks of anticipation
came to an end, the appointed day was
at hand, and, according to the arrange
ments previously made, at nine O clock
in the forenoon. the three great doors
OF the church were swung open and the
throng, orderl y and even dignihed, en-.
tered and filled the edifice.
The seats. which, in French churches
and cathedrals, are movable, had all
been taken away, and the crowd quite
filled the whole space. All male in
habitants of the town who were over
twenty years of age were to vote, and
each, the town officials and the poorest
artisan alike, had one ballot.
The great and beautiful organ took up
nearly the whole of the large gallery
over the entrance and extended up and
into the clear-story until it was mingled
with the supports of the roof
In the organ-loft the candidates were
crowded together in eager expectation,
and the chances that passed from one
to another were not the kindliest.
Each OF them had been allowed several
hours, at some time during the week.
for practice on the instrument, and
each doubtless considered himself de-
serving of the position.
Presently. when all was still, Mon
seigneur Jules Emile Gautier, a very
learned gentleman of the town, who
had been chosen for that purpose, as
cended two steps of the stairway which
curved up and around the richly carved
pulpit, and announced the name of the
person who was to begin.
should not be able to give, in de-
! tail. the progress of the trial, for the
history of the affair is not minute
enough for that. But suffice it to say,
that the last name ON the list was Raoul
Tegot; and the name Immediately pre-
ceding it was that of Baptiste La
combe.
At length, in his turn. Monsieur La
combe, his iron-gray hair dsordered.
his hands rubbing together nervouslv,
and his eyes fiashing-as was afterward
remarked upon--with malicious fire,
stepped forward and along to the organ
seat and, for few moments, arranged
his stops.
Then he began lightly and delicately,
creeping up through the varied regis
tiers of the noble instrument, blending
the beautiful sounds into wonderful
combinations. now and then working in
a sweet melody, and then again up
ward until the grand harmonies of the
full organ rolled forth. There was
something mysterious and awe-inspir-
ing in the effort. 1t seemed to the
people that they had never heard music
before.
The music ceased. The people came
back to their prosaic selves again, looked
in each other faces, and said, with one
breath: Wonderfully
Gradually they recovered their sober
judgment, and then, mingled with the
murmurs of admiration were heard the
remarks, ''That is fine, but Raoul Tegot
will make us forget itn' Eyes, wait
until you hear Raoul Tegotr'
Soon Monseigneur Gautier assembled
the two steps of the pulpit and called
the name of their kind, generous towns
man.
All waited breathlessly. All eyes
were turned toward the organ-loft. The
musicians there looked around and at
each other. But poor Raoul Tegot
could not be seen.
Where was he ? The people waited
and wondered. but he did not come.
Monsieur Baptiste Lacombe was greatly
excited, and was wiping the perspira-
ton from his heated face. "Perhaps he
was afraid to come" he ventured to re-
mark to a man near him, at the same
time looking out Of window.
Several noticed his agitation, but they
only said, "Ah, Mon Dieu. how he did
play! No wonder that he is nervous"
The disquietand confusion in the nave
and aisles increased. A messenger had |!
been sent to look for the missing man,
but he could not be lound.
What was to be done?
Finally, some friends of Monsieur La
combe made bold to urge his immediate
election, declaring that he had far sur
passed all competitors; and they even
limited at cowardice on the part of Raoul
Tegot.
This insinuation was Indignantly de-