Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-21

sS
'Kiah hain't; think jes' IS much of him s
ever did, an yit I'm 'bleeged to admit that
when a man gifts along in years it's time for
him to let stouter men hold the plough.
HayW
Now, the fact was that Phiander Davis
was one of the few among the older heads in
the parish who sided with the reforming ele-
nent. Mr.. Davis was ambitious for Tilbury
md all in it, and he prided himself somewhat
on being able to entertain new ideas after
having passed the age Of 80. 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," she replied in
answer to his last expression, II know just
low you feel. You want to please the smart
folks on the hill, and haven't got a word to
say against them, cept it does scents If they
needn't come to Tilbury and expect to run
things in city style. They want a quartet,
now, don't they1 and they want to interduce
new music, don't they and not let the congre-
cation join in, cept on one hymn, don't theyi
and they're goin' to try to make Hezekiah
step down Oh account of his age, and he been
chorister for fifty years, don't theyl amt
they, should sayl"
''Git up, there, Jim, g'long with vel" ex-
claimed Mr.. Davis. you're putty sharp,
Marthy; eff you was to look through the hole
in one of my millstones and see the other a
grindin' you'd think you saw clean through
both, wouldn't yea hayl but l don't think
you'd make much of a hand to run church,
Marthy. Hayi"
And SO, with good-natured 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 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 cheerful sense of its
Importance, his confidence failed him when
he faced the old chorister 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' tolerable well these days, 'Kiahl
Hayi"
"Ive been enioyin' good health all sum-
mer, Mr.. Davis" responded Hezekiah with
dignifed asperity.
"Wall," said Mr.. Davis, after a wretched
talk about 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"
Hezekiah could hold out no longer.
''Neghbors," he said with q trembling
voice, 81 can't make no change. I've stood
up in the loft there more'n fifty years and
haven't missed but two Sundays. I've sung
the good old music that You and |, 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 Year, Id keep it up for moth
ing No, don't say faint money! I know
that; know you want high toned quartet
and that you're willing to pay. But-I've
done my best, neighbors,"
The old chorister 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 worse'n thunder to hurt your
feelin's, 'Kiah, hay" 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 Lordl 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 the 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 the same degree tho ambition of
tho younger members increased, SO that
eventually the desire to have big display OF
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 word of protest.
The celebration Of the kindly festival be-
gan with q 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 few
bars the tears somehow got entangled in his
voice, and, as he could not sing and weep
too, he 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 Hezekiah shook each
one by the hand and answered nothing.
The last gossiping couple had left the