The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-12-22

'Kiah haint think jes' S much Of him 3
ever did, an yit I'm 'beeged TO admit that
when man gifts along in years it's time for
him to let stoutsr men hold the plough.
Hayg'
Now, the fact was that Philander Davis
was one Of the few among the older heads in
the parish who sided with the reforming ele-
ment. Mr.. Davis was ambitious for Tilbury
and all in it, and he prided himself somewhat
on being able to entertain new ideas after
having passed tho age OF so. At the last
church meeting his support had been recog-
nized by his election to membership OF the
parish committee, and he, therefore, was well
informed on the restlessness Of the younger
members regarding the matter Of music. 1t
was the one point of serious difference be-
tween him and his wife, and she was not to
be hoodwinked by his sophistry.
Don't tell me. Philander,n she replied in
answer to his last expression, II know just
how you feel You want to please the smart
folks on the hill, and l haven't got word to
say against them. cept it does seems II they
needn't come to Tilbury and expect to run
things in city style. They want quartet,
now, don't theyl and they want to interduce
new music, don't they and not let the congre-
cation join in, 'cept on ono hymn, don't theyi
and they're goin' to try to mako Hezekiah
step down on account Of his age, and he been
chorister for fifty year,, don't theyi amt
they, should say!'
"Git up, there, Jim, g'long with YET" ex-
claimed Mr.. Davis. you're putty sharp,
Marthy; Of you was to look through the hole
in one Of my millstones and see the other q
grindin' you'd think you saw clean through
both, wouldn't ye, hayi but l don't think
you'd make much Of hand to run o church,
Marthy HayT
And 20, with good-natursd obstinacy the
discussion was continued until Mr. Davis
helped his wife out and led the horse into the
barn to unhitch.
Now that the chorister knew that there
was feeling that his services were not re-
quired, the parish committee hoped that he
would relieve them Of discomfort by resign
ing voluntarily; but weeks passed and Heze-
kiah retained his place without word. So
at last it was determined that he must be
approached in a Christian, neighborly spirit,
and induced to consider the matter in the
right light AS the oldest member OF the
committee, Philander Davis was deputed to
do the talking, but though he had accepted
the appointment with a cheerful sense of its
importance, his confidence failed him when
he faced the old chorster one October even
ing in Hezekiah's little parlor The other
members Of the committee sat looking at
their hats while Mr.. Davis coughed awk-
wardly and began:
.'Feelin' tolerabe we'll these days, 'Kiahl
Hayi'
1--WE been enjoyin' good health all sum-
war Mr. Davis ~ resDondpl Heyakiah with
dignifed asperity.
"Wall," said Mr.. Davis, after a wretched
pause and another cough, "weve come up to
talk abou. the music"
Mr. Davis waited for the chorister to lead
the way to what must follow, but Hezekiah
kept silent SO the spokesman continued:
"You see, 'Kiah the parish thinks they'd
ought to be something of change"
Hezskiah could hold out no longer.
"Neighbors," he said with q trembling
voice, 81 can't make no change. I've stood
I'D in the loft there moren fifty years and
haven't missed but two Sundays. I've sung
the good old music that you and l. Philander,
was brought up on, and | can't sing much
else I've kept the choir together for you,
and if the money stood in the way Qiezekiah
received $50 a YEAR, I'd keep it up for moth
that know you want high toned quartet
and that you're willing to pay. But-Ivs
done my best, neighbors,"
The old chorister bowed his head upon his
hands, and tho parish committeeman wished
they had not come. Mr.. Davis rubbed the
back Of his head and his colleagues looked
sternly at him.
"We hate worse'n thunder to hurt your
feelin's, 'Kiah, hayS" he began again, when
the chorister stood up and interrupted him.
81 know" he said; "you don't want to tell
me I'm too old. But, praise the Lord! I'll
not stand in the way of the parish's good /
resign right here"
But the committee was not wholly lacking
in human sympathy, and it was agreed that
Hezekiah should sing until the end OF the
year, and tho chorister consented, though
with less appreciation Of the favor extended
to him than most of the committee had ex-
pected.
BLESSED if didn't feel sorry for the old
man." said young Deacon Goodspeed, speak
ing of the matter several days later. So did
good many others, but as the end Of the
year approached the sympathy lost its keen
ness and in tho same degree the ambition Of
tho younger members increased, so that
eventually the desire to have big display or
music on Christmas led to another call on
Hezekiah, the result of which was that the
old chorister yielded his place at once with
out a word Of protest.
The celebration of the kindly festival be-
gan with a musical service on Christmas eve.
The new quartet was in place and Hezekiah
sat with the audience In Difference to old
time custom some of the hymns were sung by
the entire congregation. The old chorister
tried TO sing with the others, but after a few
bars the tears somehow got entangled in his
voice, and, as he could not sing and weep
too, be stopped singing. When it was all
over several Of his neighbors approached him
to say that they didn't think there'd been
any improvement, and Hezeliah shook each
one by the hand aud answered nothing.
The last sossiping couple had lett the