The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-25

= - * 4 why Tilbury
21 village should
have been
placed 50 near the summit OF the hin, but 81
il Is, and 81 hut few Of the farmers around
about have to toll upwards an oTder 10 reach
tne half dozen stores there aud the three
churches. Perhaps tao original settlers OF
western Massachusetts, bad an eye, or TWO,
for the beautiful, for there Is hot habta-
ton in Berkshire county that commands n
more extensive or picturesque view. The
natives Of Tilbury seldom mention the seen
cry, but not raany years ago it attracted the
admiration Of wealthy people from a dis
fance, and they set up their summer homes
there. /. made q marked change IN the VII.
lage, me more because portion Of the new
comers found il pleasureable TO remain
through the winter II was thus that evii
entered and brought unhapp'ness 20 beze-
kiah Martin.
Ny mind wanders back 10 that time when
as child listened % his stentorlan tenor
voice leading The singing from the choir loit
Of the ancient Congregationalst church.
There we're two long services every Sunday
then, and recall that when the new preacher
Joined In the movement 70 abolish the after
noon sermon Hezekiah was ono OF those who
stood hardest for the old custom. and when
the inevitable reform was finally accom-
plished. the sturdy chorisier never looked
upon his minister in the same light that be
had before. lie was more faithful than ever
and sung all the louder as II 10 make up 10
fervor for lack OF opportunity; but when the
daring divine finally went his way, and an
other preacher took the pulpit, the chorister
felt ms II q great burden had been lifted; as
II the parish had escaped a most dangerous
affection.
The years turned steadily along and Hese-
kiah overcams every difficulty that choir
leaders are subject 10. Hepacified the Jealous
sopranos, raised up now bassos, sung four
consecutive Sundays oil alone when tue
choir deserted him in high dudgeon because
he refused to approve OF new anthem book,
and in many other ways demonstrated his
fitness for the work until prosperity in tie
shape Of summer visitors fell upon Tiloury
Then began quiet, insi6ious trouble, rs iIn-
perceptible at FIRST as tie approach Of old
age, that eventually oTercane him
The first manifestation Of revolution came
IN division OF opinion in the parish over
The choice Of a new preacher, for old Mr.
Spooner had begun to feel that he was some
how IN the way and be resigned before the
people we're fully aware that they wanted 10
hear a new voice. There were two leading
candidates for his place, a young and elo-
qusnt preacher and a 9ealous worker, and an
elderly man against whom not q word could
be said The newcomers in Tiibury, joining
hands with the younger members Of the
church, elected the young man, aud as the
contest had not been long or determined,
there ives speedy healing Of differences and
no lack Of harmony. Even then Hezekiah
felt vague presentiment that all would not
be well with him, but several months passed
before 10 received any direct intimation that
the parish would appreciate a change in tho
choir loft The first ne heard Of IL was in q
discussion among his singers at q Saturday
evening rehearsal. IL was not meant that
be shou.ld hear, but be entered the vestry I'M
expectedly. Sam Hinckley, one Of those
very bassos who had been patiently trained
By the choristsr, was saying:
"wall, l shall DO sorry to see the Old mans
feelings hurt, but be can't expect to lead
singin' forever"
And pretty Maria Jasper, tacitly under
stood TO Be Sans sweetheart, responded
sharply:
But / think its just TOO mean. and If
'Kiah has TO 30 follow. That's all"
And then they all saw the cL0rster coming
down the aisle. and a painful hush fell upon
them. He1ssiah bowed gravely As be APP
preached the group and said
Good evening, neighbors" That was the
way ho always addressed the choir az re-
hszTsals Perhaps he avoided a greeting 10
each individual from fear Of Grorsing jeal
cusy By seeming partially Al all events :
never beard Of bis varying the formula lie
continued, as be referred 10 a small slip OF
paper IN his hand:
@Wten ths Lord wills wa viii oil 20. and
not TIL then. It IS not cur part 10 r1caele
with what is 10 BIS hands. The minister has
chosen hymn 207 for tue drst piece. Wewlll
sing It 10 the tune Of Cambridge
At that rehearsal and during service next
day everything went as usual, bat report Of
fhs tslk that Hezsaiah bad heard ilsw about
the parish quickly, and not few remarked
that ths chorster looked unusually grave
II cal'latc. REMARKED Mr. Davis, TIE sheep
raiser from Rams Hill, 70 BIS wife a. they
drove bone after meeting; ii cailato Khan
Martin fesls his years a growing on HIN; hay7o
~And Icallate, Philander Davis returned
Mira Davis. with significant emphasis, THAT
- amt 70 much BIZ nateal years 10 feels as
The loss OF his friends
"hhoi Narthy. he aiu't lost no friends.
'ktan hatr't; think 1esr : much OF him 5
sver did. an yit In bleegcd 70 admit that
when man gifts along 10 years its tine Tor
him 70 let stogter men bold tue plough
HayS'
Now, The fact was that Philander Davis
va one Of the Tow anoug the older heads IN
The parish who sided with the reforming ele-
uasut. Sir. Davis was ambitious tor TIbury
and eli 10 IL, and be prided himself somewhat
On being able 70 entertain new ideas after
having passed the ago Of 90. Al tie last
church meeting BIS support bad been recog-
nized by has election 10 membership Of tie
parish committee, and he, therefore. Was well
Informed on the restlessness OF the younger
rnenbtr7 rceafding tia matter Of music. II
was toe one point Of serious difference b
tween him and bis wife, and she was no. 70
b Hoodwinked by his sopbistry.
Don't tell me, Phliandcr," she replied IA
answer 70 lis last expression, II know lust
how you feel Yon want 10 please the smart
FOLKS on the bill, and haven't got word To
ny against them. cept II does seems II they
6eslu't come 70 Tilbury and expect 10 run
fh(ne5 10 city style. They want a quartet,
nv, don't thsyl and they want 70 interduce
tnox music. don't they! and not lei toe congre-
6D15on 5otn il, 'cept on one hymn, don't they'
RI fheyfs goin' 70 Try 70 make Hezekiah
- dom on account Of his tge, and he been
<G0fofw for nfty years, don't theyf Amt