The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-10-26
TUCKERTOwN TROUBLES.


There was great church bother in
Tuckertown last year, but our folks were
not in it. The trouble began in the
choir, who couldn't agree about the
tunes. On some Sundays the organist
wouldn't play, and on others the singers
wouldn't sing. Once, they all stopped
short in the middle of "Greenlapd's Icy
church, for you never knew what might
happen before you came out; but folks
said it was disgraceful, and l suppose it
was. They complained of the minister
because he didn't put stop to it; so at
last he took sides with the organist, and
dismissed the choir, and declared we
would have congregational singing in
the future. Most everybody thought
that would be the end of the trouble;
but, mercy! it was hardly the beginning
Things grew worse and worse. To begin
with, the congregation wouldn't sing.
You see; they had had choir sc long
people were sort of afraid to let out
their voices; and besides, there was Ell
vira Tucker, VINO had studied music in
Boston, just ready to make fun of them,
if they did. For she was one of the
choir, and they were all as mad as hor-
nets.
In fact, the whole Tucker family were
offended. They said folks didn't appre-
ciate Elvira, nor what she had done,
since she returned from Boston, to
raise the standard in Tuckertown. And
Of course they were real mad with the
minister, and lots of people took their
side and called 'emselves "Tuckerites." "
You see the fuckers stand very high
in Tuckertown, and other people try to
be just as like them as they can. They
were first settlers, for one thing, and
have the most money, for another; and
they lay down the law generally. The
postoffice and the station are at their end
Of the village. They decide when the
sewing shall meet, and the fairs
take place, and the strawberry festivals
come off If there is to be picnic, they
decide when we shall go and where we
shall go, and just who shall sit in each
wagon. If anybody is sick, Mrs. Tucker
visits EN- just as regularly as the doctor,
AMI she brings grapes and Jelly, and is
very kind, though she always scolds the
sick person for not dieting, or for going
without her rubbers, or something of
that sort. III mother had hand in this
story, not word of all this would go
down. She SAYS they are very high
spirited people, and they do great deal
for Tuckertown. suppose they do;
but I've heard other people say that
domineer much more than is agreeable
The people on the minister's side were
called Anti Tuckerites; but, as / said,
our folks weren't in the quarrel at all
The consequence of being on the fence
was, that | could not join in the fun on
either side. and think it was real mean
Every now and then, the Tuckerites
Just so as not to invite the Anti-Tucker-
ties Then, in turn, they would get up
an excursion, and net invite any of the
Tuckerites. OF course, wasn't invited
TO either, and it was just as provoking as
il could be.
One day, when 1 went to school,
found that Elvira Tucker was going to
train a choir of children 10 take the place
Of the old choir.
81 went over to call on Elvira last
evening"" l heard Miss Green tell our
school teacher, land found her at the
piano playing for little Nell to sing. 1t
was just at dusk, and they did not see
me- so i stOcu anu listened, ana WOn-
dered why we couldn't have a choir of
children instead of the congregational
singing. Eivira said she thought it
would be lovely"
Now. had been to singing school for
two winters; SO thought / ought to be-
long to the choir.
"You can't, cause only Tnckerites are
going to belong, said 'Melia Stone.
And your folks aren't one thing or
another"
couldn't stand being left out of all
the fun any longer, so / said: I'm rs
much Tuckerite as anybody, only our
folks don't approve of making so much
trouble about SMALL affair"
Il want to know" said Abby Ann
Cnrtiss. well, I'll ask Miss Elvira If
you can belong there"
Mercy mel had jumped from the
fsnce and found myself Tuckerite? l
vas sure mother would be real mad Il
he knew what had said, for suspected
In my heart Of hearts that, IL she had