Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-01-26
A Happy Ending.
Solution to u Problem in elm
tnrrvuntp6 RoSOIudiOn,'
70, S, Adams in Harpcr's Weekly.


ton is simply IN unexpected turn Of
affairs"
Percy Blake was musical instructor
in the Hillside Seminary, and stood up
before class of ten young ladies to
whom he was unfolding the mysteries of
harmony and composition. lie brush
ed the chalk from his fingers, and con.
tinued.
after hearing the dominans seventh
chord, which ia the point of unrest, a
feeling of expectancy is excited in the
muscally sensitive ear, and there is an
imperative demand for the tonic
chord, which alone can constitute Il
point Of repose. No other progression
leaves a sense of completeness and ev-
en- the uncultivatcd ear can accept moth
ing else as tinalitv.
I will illustrate on the piano. Now
listen here is the dominant, and you
expect next to hear the tonic but | sub
stitute different chord, and its effect
is disappointing. You feel that thetex-
pcctcd termination is delayed and that
to stop here would be impossible.
This is what constitutes interrupted
resolution. It's employment is fruit
full source of variety in musical compo
sitions. Used with judgment and art
it may lead to effects which tantallz2 or
excite the listener These effects may
oe likenel unto threading one 5 way
through the mazcs Of labyrinth. or
branching off from a pleasant country
road into u y-path, as a sudden change
of purpose when certain end is appar-
entity in view, or loosing OF ones Way
in a forest.
Interrupted resolution may be com
pared with the spice of life, imparting
novelty to huladrum experience. 1t is
a departure from hackncyed ways, ar
ousing curiosity, expectation, w"n'rr.
The composer mil kes you speculate as
to what new developments may turn
up. He opens new visions of beauty,
and occasionally gives the impression
Of letting his thoughts run Wild.
yet there is method IN all that he
does. His path is marked out and he
knows his course. He is Ikea novelist
who works Oh the sympathy of his read
trs by raising b. Obstacles between the
lovers, though he is sure to unite them
finally"
as he - This question came IN n
low chirp from a pair Of pointing lips,
from above which two round eyes look
ed in miSrhicvous inquiry at Percy
Blake. The questlouer blushed FORTH
with, for the chirp had been a little
louder than was intended. Mr.. "!ake
heard it, and his glance quickly darted
in the direction from which it had come.
The whole class Uttered, and Mr.. Blake
himself WAS somewhat infused. Bat
he recovered his self possession instantly
and replied:
"Cortainly he is, Miss Boyce that is
! if he understands the tastes Of his
lady readers"
"Oh ~ came from several voices, in
mock dislain, and there was small
gust of breezy laughter.
But Percy Blake tapped on the table
to secure attention, and began to give a
blackboard lesson, frequently illuStrat-
ing it on the grand piano. He then
gave the girls an exercise to write. and
concluded by putting a little part song
on the black board and making them
sing it. Then be.lrang, and Professor
Blake said
"Well, try and remember the rules of
the new progression. Don make con-
secutlve tifths, and bring your exercise
written neatly. Come to me if you
stumble on any knotty points. Fis
missed
He turned to the piano as the girls
fled out of the room and awaited the
coming of dull pupil, who could not
remember the thumb letters in the scale
of G.
Percy Blakes boarding house was in
quiet part Of the village. After tax
ing tea that evening h. went to his
room, aud tilted back in an easy char
INDUCED in reverie. That valuable
aid to meditation, a cigar, WIS between
his fingers, and occasional pulls ofsmoke
were projected toward the ceiling. In
these curling wreaths of blue he SEEM
ed to seek counsel, studying with great
intentncss their varying and fantas tic
shapes. At length, with a gesture Of
impatience as If at his own iyresolutlon
he abruptly rose, put Oh his hat and I
quilted the house. A brisk walk soon