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

Marthy. h1yf
aud So. with good-uatured obstinacy thj
discussion was continued until Mr. Dav.
helped bis wife oat and led the horse into the
barn % uuhitch.
Now that tho chorister knew that there
was feeling that his services were not Ie-
CURED. the parish committee hoped that be
would relieve them OF discomfort 10y resign.
ing Voluntarily; but weeks passed and Heze.
liah retained bis place without a word. So
OF last IL was determined that he must he
approached IN q Christian, neighborly spirit,
aad induced 20 consider the matter in the
right light. As the Oldest member Of the
committee, Pliander Davis was deputed to
do The talking bus though be had accepted
the appointment with q cheerful sense Of It's
Importance, AIS confidence failed him when
ls laced the Oh Ohorister one October even
ipr in HeUkiahs little paIlor The other
mcmbsrs of the committee sat looking az
their hats while Mr.. Davis c0ughed awk-
wsrdly and BEGAN
"T.elin toleraOle well these days Kiahi
Hav.
I've becn enjoyiu' good health all sum
r'er, Mr. Davis responded hczekiah with
dien.6ad Gsrclity.
WAL said Mr. Davis, after a wletcbel
pause and another cough, 'we'ye come up 70
talk about tie music
Nr Davis waited for the chorisfer 10 lead
the way 20 what must follow, but Hezekal,
kept silent 80 the spokesman continued:
you see, Iliah. the parish thinks they 1
ought 10 be something OF change
Hczsk.ah could hold ont 10 longer
"Nechbors," he ssid with a trembling
voice, Il can make 20 Change. I've stood
no IN the loft there inore'n lity years and
haven't missed but two Sundays. Two sung
tho good old music that YOU aud |, PhilaudeT
was brought Up On, and l can't sing much
else I've kept the choir together Tor YOU,
and II tie money stood IN the way Qlezekiah
receive $50 year, I'd keep It up tor moth
inr No, don't say faint money; | know
that; know you want high toned quartet
aud that you're willing to pay. But-lve
done my best, neighbors
The old ch0rister bowed his head upon his
hands. and The parish committeeman wished
they had not come Mr. Davis rubbed the
back of his head and his colleagues looked
sternly at him.
1--WE hate worseu thunder 10 hurt your
feelin's, 'Kiah hayF' hs began again, when
the chorister stood up and interrupted him.
Il know, De .ail; you don't want TO tell
me In too old. But, praise the Lord Ill
not stand in the way Of TIE parish's good. /
resign llshthero"
But the committee was not wholly lacking
in human sympathy, and 1t was agreed that
Hezaliah should sing until the erd Of the
year. and the chorister consented, though
with less appreciation Of the favor extended
to him than most Of the committee had ex-
pected.
"Blesscd IL | didn't feel sorry for the old
man, said Young Deacon Goodspeed, speak
ing OF tho matter several days later 50 did
q good many others, but as the end Of the
year approached the sympathy lost It's keen
ness, and IN the same degree the ambition OF
the younger members increased, 50 that
eventually the desire TO have big display of
music on Christmas led to another call on
Heeekiah, the result Of which was that the
old cho.ster yielded his place at once with
OUT q word OF protest