The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-11-24
"And still they talked aud still the wonder
grew,
How one small head could carry all he
knew"

| ei"us enough 70 perceive tDat MS inOthers
relatives were Influenced towards him by
the kndest motives, Thereupon his health
| adyaneed- with the rapidity OF forced
marches, aud he and his cousin Joe passed
the hours-no longer weary-wilh anima.
ted discussion upon problems which had
meyer before caused any serious disturbance
/ in the convolutions Of Josephs ccrebellum,
! One evening Mr.. and Mrs NortlholI, a
| few nelghbors ana the two boys were sitting
on the porch alter supper, when some body
suggested that William should play tune
on his flute. The lad produced his bundle
and with reverential hands united the
kuotted coils which guarded his treasure.
The instrument had belonged to his father
and grandfather and for four generations
| had done duty at the domestic celebrations
and national festivals Of the quiet German
| village. Like good wine and the famous
instrument Of Paganin its power and
| beauty had been enriched with mellow
strength by that old "gcntlcman with the
| scythe" who lays such all consuming hands
on most Of natures choicest products
William put the pieces together and hav.
ing arranged the well worn leaves of his
music ran his fingers over the notes and
silver stops. His features seemed suddenly
Illuminated with unutterable hapt;ucss and
his voice falterei with the emotion of re-.
newcd delight as he raised his lips from the
| instrument and inquired. 'SAunt Katrina
what would you like me to play frst?"
The old, magic spells Of early life and
nationality had woven already the web of
mingled fact aud fancy about the woman's
| kindly heart and her mind reverted in
stantlY to the deepest instincts of her nature
as she said without hesitation, ooh! Will
liam, give Us O,d Martins hymn, Elm
Feste Burg Isl Uuser Cot"
The boy commenced spftly, but as the
| famous melody advanced he poured his
soul into the music and inspired his hearers
with enthusiasm to which they had long
been strangers, at the end Of tie first vcree
he paused tor moment and requested that
his friends should j,in in singing. He
commenced again and all the voices took
up the words
a mighty fortress Ia our God,
| buiwark never failing;
| Our helper he amid the flood
ui mortal Ills prevailing.
nd we in our own strength conflde
| Our striving would hs lo-ing;
Ms'vo got Cue right man on our side,
! Inc man OF iON'S s own choosing,
Dnst ask who that may be2
| Christ Jesus, 1t is Hei
/ Lord SGbbOlh his name;
| rom age to age the same,
| and he must win the battle.
The English version gives a feeble ren.
dcrng Of those historic lines, but as sung
/ by Germans with the true teryor of their
race, traditions and religious principles
there are probably no other strains "giyen
among IN n which are capable Of calling
iorth the same deep feeling and noble as
piralion.
Men and women hurrvirg al, ng the road
to catrh a traiu, or obey some other order
/ ct the inevitable, uaused for moment TO
think 'what on earth is coming over old
Joe Nordhoh? lie use'nt to be much Of
man ON psalm'sngmg. The boys on the
! Lehlgh Valley line will have q pic ME
when they hear OF The old Joe from Lehigh
| ton leading o choir" But the waviurcrs
| Kept such thoughts to themselves aud the
sounds Of Williams flute were heard on the
night air long after the usual hour for re
uring. lie frat went through the national
talluds explaining The origin and history Of
each and he recounted with enthusiasm the
incidents Of the last great war with France
and of the wounded soldiers IN the hospital
Of his own village who met death with
II then repeated some Of Schiller's verses
which had been get to music, and he could
see young Joseph's eyes gistcuing as he
told OF domestic gatherings where once or
twice week the Young people OF the work,
ing classes met to practice the great music
Of German composers and to recite passages
from their greatest poets There was Il
simplicity ami naturalness in what he
said about his home and the habits of his
people that added double interest to hls
words. He seemed TO speak of another |
world, or to eXplalu great picture to his |
little aulience.
The simple but elevating social pleasures
Of the Fatherland form indeed the one great |
counter balance 10 the dead weight Of per. |
snnal government ami military despotsm |
in modern Germany. Here was q living |
Instance Of what might be done 10 relieve |
the monotony of toIling lives in the culti-
walton Of natural gifts and the Satisfaction
of rational desires. There were capacities
lor pleasure in men and women, Of the
highest order and most benefcient nhu.
ence, which required no stimUlous from ex
cited political meetings or the democrats
influences OF the saloon A mans own
home is tho true and all absorbing scene OF
his keenest and purest pleasures aud his
own heart and BRAIN, aided by all the edu-
u
true instruments by which al his own Gre.
side, "Das Kind Der Weld" mar hope to
establish the Kingdom OF Heaven upon
earth.
Unshaped thoughts to such effect passed
through the minds Of the NorihoG family
as William dweIt upon the "pure delights"
ot social life in the old country. And the
narrative came with added force from on
who had lost a father and a mother under
the judgment wheels Of Bismarck trium-
phal march through Europe. Bat the in
solent triumphs of nperial courts, although
they scatter misery and poverty through |
do5olated nations, cannot obscure the mean
ing or influence Of such solid blessings as
have for centuries clustered around German
home life. "Politics," as great man sand,
means, in syery country, the madness Of
the many for the gains Of a few " Its
are 1ecting and its rewards are ,
few, but the intelligent happiness Of the
humblest firesde becomes a triumph and ,
a reward for humanity at large whether the ;
government under which it exists be an ;
empire, a monarchy or Republic.
"How did a poor mechanic like you Cr
your father" said old NordhoiI, "manage ,
to learn so much about music and poetry? /,
Did all the other fellows in your village
spend the evenings in talking Schiller and
doesn't allow the poor devils to run any /,
beer saloons or to express opinions any /
more independent ;han a sneese" r
you are quite wrong, uncle," said ,
william. ut is true that you have much
more political liberty 10 this country, but =
do not think, su Tar as have seen, that the
working classes in this country have as vet I
nearly so much hnppness ana cnmiort in
lite as We have at home The time will
come, no doibt, when il must be different,
but at present you are all so restless and c
dissatisfied bat instead of making the most 8
put of he smple aud real facts Of life YOU
worry yourselves to death with thinking
about Presidents, Governors, District Atlor-
neys. Sherifs and whole army of YOUR
second fiddle officials, when you should be
thinking Of how your homes are b. be made ]
happier for yourselves aud training schools
Tor your children, aud IN your Wild rush
after dollars snd politics you may catch 81