Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-19


darkened lives. Whatever the society
for ethical culture, to which
he belonged, might do for others,
he, it was felt, was
the result of something ''experienc-
ed" not exactly religion, but some
thing too much like it to be considered
counterfeit. The sarcasm and irony
that had stamped their imprint upon
his clear-cut features and had been
wont to escape in bitter words from
an unbridled tongue, were giving
place to softer smiles and more earn
est expressions of thought. Il was
observed that some of his former sell
fish pridein bachelor hood had been
dispelled by Ingersoll's idealistic
portrayals of home life and touching
illusions to home affections. He bad
caught the spirit of ingersoll regard
ing the domestic virtues, and woman's
purity, in which he thought he had
forever lost all faith, was once more
revealed to him as he read the noble
tributes paid her He, like many
other men in this revolutionary period
of religious opinions, had been visibly
Swaycd by the strong current Of In
gersollism. But his movement, I'M
like that of some, had been more in
the social than anti Christian direc-
ton. To man who had already
adopted all the schlsms of which de-
vout souls are warned to beware, and
who had nothing left to lose in the
line of creed bound doctrines, Bible.
founded theories or inherited faiths,
the great iconeclast did not appear at
all dangerous To him he came as a
creator not destroyer. HIS mission
it was to rekindle in our hero many
of the pure and lofty aspirations of
his bovhood to give new impetus to
the flow of sentiment N his veins,
and to invest with fresh charms the
real romance of life. If he did not
show him a new heaven, he at least
helped bring into clearer prominence
many neglected opportunities for
changing this old earth into sem
blance of Paradise. He loved him
for it and continued to read his lee
lures assIduously. No one could say
that the love inspired was not bene
fetal. The love of man to man is
always so, and the effect of the read
ing in so far as it made cynic laugh
and weep by turns and famed into
flame many dying embers of hope and
effection could not have been entirely
disastrous. Being, then, a reformed
cynic, susceptible to beauty, harmony
and love, and perhaps the highest
truth, it was we'll for him that his
cousin Florence Fleming had needed
an escort TO choir rehearsal that night.
1t was we'll that he, Charles Fleming,
the infidel relative, acted in
that capacity, thus placing
himself in a favorable position to be
led captive by voice-a human
voice, but divine in its power to battle
and to bless. The approaching holt
days, which are land marks in indi-
Visual history, his return to his
native land after years absence,
his gratitude for safe passage across
the stormy Atlantic just accomplised,
had tended to soften his feelings and
make him an easy prey to emotional
forces. As he leaned back in the
luxeriantly cushioned pew and
fastened his soft gaze upon the sweet
singer, so far in front that har feat
ures were not dIscernible, but whose
voice penetrated to his inmost heart,
he was conscious of a Power greater
and higher than himself; lifting him
on sublime strains of music, above
the world of unworthy aims, of mis-
leading superstitions, of delusive
hopes; and yet world of thought in
which was room for heavenly aspira-
tons. The voice which he followed
had carried him to the regions of
eternal light from whence it seemed
to proceed. The words he had Joined
in singing alphabetically, as they
resounded, through the vast church,
were not vain repetitions merely. He
had been so radical in his unbe-
hefs that for years he had not per-
United himself to sing any OF the
hymns whose language expressed
faith he did not hold. But swiftly,
unreluctantly, on the winged tones
of strangers voice, his soul was con
sciously borne upwards, and in recog
milton of that Power, not ourselves,
which, works for Righteousness" des-
pite life's trials and alurements, from
which the soul vainly seeks 10 be free
the words GLORY be to God on High"
had burst from its dep tbs in glad
song as lie realized his escape from
despalrlng atheism, sitting thus, I'M
der the double spell of the resolute
Glory" and the sympathetic peace,
Peace" surrounded by the religious
associations of the place, which added
their gentle pressure and prolonged
his mood, he was for few moments
in state of supreme self,forgetfull-
ness He started as if waking from
deep, slumber, when his lady compan-
ION, failing to get his attention, re
traced her steps down the shade wy
aisle and joined him saying will
you not come up into the gallery"
No: | will sit here and wait for
you. But tell me Florence. who is
she2"
Our sopranos o., I'll tell you all
about her after rehearsal, and give YOU
an Introduction if you wish.
But who is she2"
Our regular sopranos New York
girl. She's studied music abroad.
She's particular friend of mine, you
and | will escort her home after we
finish our practice.
Very well, he me9kly asSsnted,
and for half an hour he waited
patiently for the moment of Intro
ductisn" to arrive, when, face to face
with "our regular Soprano" he could
settle doubt, or rather confirm a
kope regarding former delightful
acquaintance with her. Alas, when
rehearsal was over his cousin joined
him, saying regretfully, II asked
Grace to come and be introduced to
you, and she said she would but for
the fact that the tantalizing tenor,
as she called him, had Insisted on
taking her home in his sleigh and was
in hurry to be otf-iust as choir
singers always are. There they GO
now out of the other door"
Let us follow. ] must speak to
her. Unjust see her tonight" he said
excitedly.
''MustG Why, you don't know her.
she answered rather puzzled by the
proprietary manner Ia which he spoke
of the lady in question.
Yea said she had been away, and
you called her Grace. Is she not
Miss Lovejoy7n and in his eagerness
he became almost stern.
why. yes; she is Grace Loveioy,
of course" replied his cousin earnest
ly, why did YOU not tell me YOU knew