The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-10-14
TUCKERTOWy TROUBLES.

TUCKERTOWy 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 orgahist
wouldn't play, and on others the singers
wouldn't sing. Once, they all stopped
short in the middle of "Greenlapd's Icy
Mountains" and it was real exciting at
church, for you never knew what might
happen before you came out; but FOLKS
said it was disgraceful, and / 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 ont
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 I"
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-societies 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 'em just as regularly as the doctor,
and 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. IF mother had hand in this
story, not word of all this would go
down. She says they nre very high
spirited people, and they do great deal
for Tuckertown. suppose they do;
but I've heard othef 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
would plan some lovely picnic or party.
Just so as not to invite the Anti Tucker
ties. Then, in turn, they would get up
an excursion, and not invite any of the
Tuckerites. OF course, I wasn't invited
to either, and it was just as provoking as
it could be.
One day, when I went to school, I
found that Elvira Tucker was going to
train choir of children 10 take the place
of the old choir.
81 went over to call on Ely ira last
evening"" I heard Miss Green tell our
school teacher, "and found her at the
piano playing for little Nell to sing. 1t
was Just at dusk, and they did not see
me; so I stood and listened, and won
dered why we couldn't have a choir of
children instead of the congregational
singing. Elvira 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 Tuckerites are
going to belong, said 'Melia Stone.
''And your folks aren't one thing or
another"
I couldn't stand being left out of all
the fun any longer, so said: 'I'm as
much Tuckerite as anybody, only our
folks don't approve of making so much
trouble about a small affair"
''I want to knowr' said Abby Ann
Curtiss. ''Well, I'll ask Miss Elvira if
you can belong there"
Mercy me! I had jumped from the
fence and found myself Tuckerite? I
was sure mother would be real mad il
she knew what had said, for I suspected
in my heart of hearts that, if she had
jumped from the fence, she would have
landed on the minister's side. I made
up my mind that Iwould not tell her
what had passed, for maybe, after all,
real Tuckerite. But the very next day
Sue Scut WOIu W ulo buA1 SIO WOu4d 14A0
to have me join the choir.
told moIher that / was wanted in the
children's choir because I had o good
voice, and never said word about be-
ing Tuckerite.
"a childrens choir, said she. "Thats 8
real good idea-a beautiful idea.
..She never suspected how was de-
ceiving her.
Well, we had real fun practicing. That
week we learned chant and two hymns.
One day Miss Green came in.
How does she happen to be here?"
heard her ask Miss Elvira, with signif-
cant look at me.
"Oh, she has a real good voice." an
swered Miss Elvira, laughing "Moss of
the children who can sing are on the
Tuckerite side. Besides, from some
thing she said to Abby Ann, I think at
heart the Halls sympathize with u.s.
What would my folks have said to
that? felt half sick of the whole affair.
and went home and teased mother to let
me go and visit Mary Jane.
l never shall forget the Sunday sang
IN the choir. Miss Elvira played for us
on the organ, for when the real organist