The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-02-14

/
to the conclusion that choir in Il e
church would be an improvement, and
help to draw better audiences-the
beadle undertaking to conduct practis-
ing. A canvass of the congregation was
made, and number promised to join ;
but when the night of the meeting came,
only some half-dozen waggish young fell
lows put in appearance at the vestrv. 1t
was agreed that, as the nights were cold,
the next meeting should be in the bea-
dies house. Sandy was glad at this, as
it would give him better chance of in
structing them by using his fiddle.
Meeting after meeting was held with
no apparent improved results, though
there was no lack of fun. A favorite
tune, called Castle-mill," occupied
much attention.; but the wags were con-
tinually doing something amiss, and the
chords, or, as they were occasionally
termed ropes, would not, as the beadle
said, complouther.' The fddling was
the great attraction. Sandy was not
what is termed a ready reader, so lots of
difficulties stood in the way.
After getting himself properly seated,
and "specs" properly adjusted on his
nose, good pinch OF snuff was taken,
and one of the wags trimmed the candle.
The fiddle was then brought out, and
properly tuned to what was said to be
the best A pitchfork in the parish The
instrument was then placed in position,
the fingers of the left hand properly set,
and well-rosined bow in the right hand
ready for use. The music book being
opened, he took glance at the first note,
then look to his fingers, and with
long draw of the bow sounded a note
then another glance at the book, another
look at his fingers, and then another
draw, and so on, till he considered the
tune was played. The wags, or " band, ,"
as he termed them, then Joined in, but
they could never finish the music togeth-
er. Various excuses were always ready
"a cold-a damp night-had not been prac-
Using, or had been practising too much
did not think the fiddle in tune with
the pitchfork-not keeping proper time
singing too slow. or singing too quick
or the candle not properly trimmed
The candle would be snufed, and the
machinery set agoing again, but all to no
purpose The proceeding would then
degenerate into Conversations, with a
smoking accompaniment. Sandy, when
IN proper humor, would be induced to
give his experiences by way of choir in
structions, OF which the following is
specimen =" Weel, lads, we see that
thing at the beginning o that tune like
B that is called fot--it brings doom
note semitone. Look at that other
tune you see small thing there like
midge-that is sharp; it raises note
semitone. Moo, anither thing connected
wi thae twa things is the flats max a
tunes minors, and sharps max a tunes
majors. Mr.. Vgalker the minister O.
Muthill. agrees vi me in this" "And
what for OF" said Emsley. eff they
dinna dae that, there is nae use O. them.
In fact, it's my humble opinion that a.
music would do better wantin them, and
we would then sing a tunes natural"
Sany resumes =" met Kippen the
other morning in Mr.. Fishers house, and
[ just thought would bring him doom
peg, and says | to him, What maks
tunes minors?" He commenced palav-
er about tones and semitones but | lust
cut him short, and says I, A tune wi
flats are minors, and a tunes wi sbarps
0i LII" Oio anu says L, HOW mOny
sharps does A carry?" Say ne, Three,
I'm thinking Man, say I, cit can car:
ry barrowfu'r and so l shut him up.
didna let on to him that l was reading
Chambers Information"
The beadle resided amongst deter
mined set of practical okers, who daily
annoyed him in every possible manner.
Disturbing the band practsings was
favorite annoyance The choir, who
styled themselves The Copper Band"
soon grew tired of their instructors at
tentions, and required much entreating
to put In an appearance. One extra
night, however, shelved the whole con-
Germ. The jeeers without and the must
cal wags within understood one another,
and scarcely bad the performance com
menced when the most tremendous noises
from old pans outside mingled in the
chorus. Gravel and cutters ratified on
and despatched the window. The band
room was up one stair, and the window
looked into court, where the perpetra-
tors OF the mischief easily got out Of the
way. The annoyance got intolerable,
and the beadle Though so short that, in
military parlance, be would no meas
ure, had a spirit when reused that dis
dained restraint) rose in haste and ran
to the door, but it would not open, for
the jokers had made it secure. Then
ensued scene. The copper Band