Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-25

E.E s-. sss:st - -:
n . t h
~ e.sss;SJtz &=st there can be nc
-jSfse sSDz- \ good reasor
LY~%I 4 Hwhy Tilbury
ASS kvillags should
have beer
placed so near the summit of the hill, but Sc
it is, and all but a few of the farmers around
about have TO toll upwards in order to reach
the half dozen stores there and the three
churches Perhaps the original settlers OF
western Massachusetts, had an eye, Or two
for the beautiful, for there is not habita-
ton in Berkshire county that commands q
more extensive or picturesque view. The
natives of Tlbury seldom mention the seem
cry, but not many years ago it attracted the
admiration of wealthy people from a dis
tanee, and they set up their summer homes
there. 1t made marked change in the vii
lage, the more because a portion of the new
rorners found it pleasureable to remain
through the winter. 1t WAS thus that evil
entered and brought unhappiness to Heze-
kiah Martin
My mind wanders back to that time when
IS a child [ listened to his stentorian tenor
voice leading the singing from the choir loft
of the ancient CongreGationalist church
There were two long services every Sunday
then, and / recall that when the new preacher
joined in the movement to abolish the after
noon sermon He2ekiah was one of those who
stood hardest for the old custom, and when
the inevitable reform was finally accom-
plshed, the sturdy chorister never looked
upon his minister in the same light that he
had before He WAS more faithful than ever
and sung all the louder as if to make up in
fervor for lack of opportunity; but when the
daring divine finally went his way, and an
other preacher took the pulpit, the chorister
felt as if a great burden had been lifted; as
Il the parish had escaped most dangerous
RiIiiction
Tho years turned steadily along and Heze-
kiah overcane every difficulty that choir
leaders are subject to. He pacified the jealous
sopranos, raised up new bassos, sung four
consecutive Sundays all alone when the
choir deserted him in high dudgeon because
he refused to approve of a new anthem book,
Rnd in many other ways demonstrated his
fitness for the work until prosperity in the
shape of summer visitors fell upon TIlbury.
Then began quiet, insidious trouble, as i'm
perceptible at first as the approach Of old
age, that eventually overcame him.
The first manifestation of revolution came
IN u division of opinion in the parish over
the choice of a new preacher, for old Mr..
SpOmer had begun to feel that he was some
how in the w2y, and he resigned before the
people were fully aware that they wanted to
hear a new voice. There were two leading
candidates for his place, young and elo-
Guent preacher and a Jealous worker, and al
elderly man against whom not word could
be said. The newcomers in Tilbury, joining
hands with the younger members of the
church. elected the young man, and as the
contest had not been long or determined,
there was a speedy healing Of differences and
no lack of harmony. Even then Rezekiah
felt vague presentiment that all would not
be well with him, but several months passed
before he received any direct intimation that
the parish would appreciate change in the
rhoir loft. The first be heard of it was in a
discussion among his singers at Saturday
evening rehearsal 1t was not meant that
be should hear, hut be entered the vestry I'M
expectedly. Sam Hincliley, one of those
very hassos who had been patiently trained
by the chorister, was saying:
'Wall, l shall be sorry to see the old mans |
feelings hurt, but he can't expect to lead |
Kingin' forever"
And pretty Maria Jasper, tacitly under
stood to be Sans sweetheart, responded |
sharply:
"But / think it's Just too mean, and If |
Kiah has TO so follow That's ALP
And then they ell saw the chorister coming |
down the aisle, and painful hush fell upon |
them. Hezekiah bowed gravely as he APP |
preached the group and said:
Good evening, neighbors" That was the
way be always addressed the choir at re-
hearsals. Perhaps he avoided a greeting to
zach individual from fear of arousing jeal-
pussy by seeming Partially. AT ali events l
never heard of his varying the formula lie
continued, as he referred 10 a small slip Of
paper III his hand:
NV hen The Lord wills we viii oil go, anu
not til! then 1t IS not our part to NEEDLE
with what Is II His hands. The minister has
chosen hymn Pa for the first piece. WewlI
sing il TO the tune OF Cambridge"
At that rehearsal and dIring service next
day everything went rs usual, but report Of
The talk that Hezekiah had heard few about
the parish quickly, and not q few remarked
that the chorister looked unusually grave.
~ cal'iate,H remarked Mr. Davis, the sheep
raiser from RAMS Hill, to his wife as they
drove home afte- meeting; II cal1ate 'Kiah
Martin feels his years growing on him; hayr
"And carlate, Philander Davis returned
Mrs. Davis, with significant emphasis, that
it amt so much MS material years lie feels as
the loss OF his friends"
''SSho! Marthy. be amt lost no friends.
Kiah hain't; 1 think jes' s much of him s
.ver did, an yit I'm bleeged 10 admit that
When man gifts along in years its time for
lin to let stouter men hold the plough.
5ayF'
Now, the fact was that Philander Davis
vas one of the few among the older heads in
he parish who sided with the reforming ele-
nent Mr.. Davis was ambitious for Tlbury
Ind all in it, and be prided himself somewhat
IN being able 10 entertain new ideas after
saving passed the age of 50. AT the last
church meeting his support had been recog-
lized by his election 20 membership of the
parish committee, and he, therefore, was well
on the reStleSsnesS OF the younger
members regarding the matter OF music. 1t
vas the one point of serious difference be
----@ lilo, s,aa l.ss .s=ifA ana ehA not tn