The Dawson journal., 1884-01-24


yet heard her, not loudly, but SO ten
derby. so lovingly; I knew the change
had come-she loved; it thrilled in her
voice; and at the evening service he was
there. I saw him. soldier, knew
by his bearing, with cruel, hard, gray
eyes; and she sang, knew it. 1 de-
tected q tremble and gratitude in the
notes. l felt she was to suffer, as 1 had
suffered; not that I sang. 1 had no
voice. A harsh, gnttural sound was all
1 could give utterance to. I could
whistle like bird, and often and often
have I lain for hours in the shade of q
tree and joined the concerts in the
woods.
One day was whistling, when I was
tapped on the shoulder by an old man,
the cobbler of the next parish.
"Sam, where did you learn that?"
''Learn what ?''
'"That tune"
SEAT church."
"You've good ear, Sam
"Ive nothing else good, but I can
whistle anything"
"Can you whistle me the Morning
Hymn?"
/ did so
GOOD; very good. Know anything
of music, Sam ?"
Nothing"
'Like to?"
"Td give ali / have in the world to
he able TO play anything. My souls
rull of music. I can't sing a note, but
1 could play anything if was taught.
$50 you shall, Sam, my boy. Come
home with me. Garry these skins, and
you shall begin at once"
I went home with him, and found
that he was one of the players in the
choir of his parish, his instrument being
the violoncello. l took my first lesson,
and from that time commenced a new
life. Evening after evening, and some
times during the day, l wandered over
to his little shop, and while he sat, stitch,
stitch at the boots and shoes, I played
over and over again all the music I
could get from the church.
''You've beautiful lingering, Sam,
my boy, beautiful; and though it does
look little awkward to see you bowling
away with your left, it makes no differ
ence to you. You ought to be fine
player, Sam"
was enthusiastic, but I was poor. I
wanted an instrument of my own, but
had no money and earned none-I
could earn none.
''Sam, my boy" said the cobbler, one
day, "you shall have an instrument, and
your father shall buy it for you, or the
whole parish shall cry shame upon
him."
"But he don't know word of this,
l said.
"Never mind, Sam, my boy, he shall
be glad to know Of it," and he told me
his plans.
On Christmas Day it was customary
for the choirs of neighboring churches
to help each other, and it was arranged
that the choir of our parish should play
and sing on the next Christmas morn
ing at his parish church, and that he
and his choir should come over to our
parish for the evening service.
"And you, SAM" said he, "shall take
my place in your own church; and,
please God, you do as well there as
you've done here, it will be the proud
est day I shall know, Sam, my boy, and
your mother and father will say so,
too"
The evening came; and there, in the
dimly-lit gallery, sat waiting, with my
master beside me.
"Sam, my boy" said my master, 'it's
great risk; it's getting very full.
There's the squire and my lady Just
come in. Keep your eyes on your book
and feel what you're playing, and think
you're in the little shop; I've brought a
bit of leather to help you, and he put
piece of that black leather that has
peculiar acid scent in front of me. The
scent of it revived me; the memory OF
the many hours 7 had spent there came
back to me at once, and l felt as calm as
if we're indeed there.
She came at last, and service began.
Oh, that night Shall ever forget its
pleasures 2-the wondering looks Of the
friends and neighbors who came and
ound in me, the despised, awkward
left.handed saddler's apprentice 'ne
prodigy of which they hadreard rumorS'
Oh, it was gloriousP The frst few
strokes Of my bow gave me confidence
and ! did well, and knew II, through sne