Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-21

fed: but you must take me On trust. Re
member what you yourself said, that there is
absolutely no one to sing the part, and con-
slider that you waver between possible failure
and positive defeat Already l have stayed
here longer than l ought; you must make
your decision at once"
The young man stood for moment in
doubt then he took step forward and i'm
pulSively laid his hand on that OF his compan-
ion.
MY boy.' he said, 'sif trust you, you
won't deceive me? You don't know what
depends on my success tomorrow. 1t will
kill me if my work proves failure, or, if it
does not, I shall xiii myself. This is not an
other trick to ruin me and break my hearth
No, no, STRIP the boy exclaimed holly.
Give me your confidence, and will lay
down my life sooner than forfeit it. If /
don't sing your music as it deserves to be
sung, it won't be for want of doing my best"
The young man was quite carried away by
the boys enthusiasm.
Il believe YOU" he said, land trust you
with what is dearer than life to me. If we
fail, l shall thank you all the same. And
now, by-the-bye, what is your name?'
For moment his companion looked as i
the simple question embarrassed him.
Harry SiSSon,' he muttered at last; and,
before Hallam could interTogate him further,
he had slipped downstairs, and was lost in
the night
The production of Guy Hallam's cantata
was the most fashionable event which had
taken place at Downbury for long time.
Amateurs of music who knew nothing about
the new cantata-for Guy had worked in the
strictest secrecy-spoke of it as being work
of marvellous genius and one which, not
withstanding its slender proportions, would
take rank among the classics. Other must
clans who professed to be well informed con-
denned it IN toto, and would not grant it
one redeeming point. Of these the ex-organ-
list, the offended LuttrelI was the leader.
But friends and foes agreed as to their in
tention of hearing the first rendering, either
to praise or to condemn. The novelty of its
being produced for the first time in the Ca
thedral was an additional inducement to
throng to witness it, and the comments were
many on the foolish self-contidence or the
proper trustfulnesS, according as the speakers
viewed it, of the young composer who could
submit his maiden effort to such crucial
test with the knowledge that there could be
10 bursts of applause to carry away the pub
lie, but everything would be judged without
IL cold blood.
The day which was to be of such import
ance in Guy Hallam's life broke serene and
beautiful, and, later on, deepened into per-
lection. The afternoon sunshine fell scorch-
ingly on the multitude of people who wound
their way through the old Cathedral close;
but, as they passed into the long naveS OF the
Minister, the brilliancy OF the day was tenn
pered by the long shadows that fell as the
peace of the place fell on the spirits of the
crowd.
The surpliced choristerS were in their
seats, and by the organ sat Guy Hallam, as
white as death, but, now that the moment of
trial was come, cool and reSOlute. He look
ed down at the crowded church; and pres
emily he saw his sister enter. A haSty glance
at his watch showed him that the appointed
hour was almost reached. He turned round
quickly, and saw that the place of the boy
who had come to him on the previous night
was empty. Cold drops gathered on his
brow.
81 might have expected it," he muttered;
and yet his heart was full of surprise and
disappointment he could not account for.
He turned again to his organ with feel
ing of hopeless despair. and raised his hand
to close the now useless score; but, as he did
so, it was arrested by the light touch On his
arm which had detained him before; and,
looking up, he started, seeing that the choris-
ter stood beside him. At the same moment
a curious sense of recognition which had
haunted him during their first interview be-
came more marked, and for a second he
seemed almost able to account for it; then it
faded away.
81 must be out of sight of the people," the
boy whispered. LET me stand here-here,
where | can touch you"
GAS you like" Guy Hallam returned soft
". Then he took the boys hand again, and
scrutinized him more closely. WELL" he
said, whether you succeed or fail, shall
always be grateful to you. But, oh, my boy,
try hardI Pray to Heaven to help you, and
don't forget that everything depends on
yoa."
He seated himself before the organ as he
spoke, and the boy took up his position be-
side him. With grand swell of harmony
the music poured through the old Cathedral,
hushing the murmuring people and filling all
the building with its loneliness. Then arose
chorus of boys voices, which scared and
! fell and at last died away, leaving the organ
again to take up the strain alone. 1t played
a few simple chords of prelude and voice
began to sing.
Even now, when Downbury has become a
hourishing place, instead of the old-fashion-
ed market-town it was-now, when it boasts
a fine concert-hall and listens critically to
London ''starS'-even now it remembers and
speaks of that marvellous singing.
The story which Guy HaIlam had taken
for his cantata was the beautiful story of
Ruth, and the words which the wonderful
voice took up were the tender ones which
have been loved for centuries and will be
| loved while the world laStS-'Intreat me not
| to leave thee, or to return from following
| after thee: for whittier thou goeSt, | will go;
| and where thou lodgest, ! will lodge; thy
| people shall be my people, and thy God my
| God; where thou dieSt, will die, and there
! will be buried"
! AS the last sounds died away, there was
| the sound as of sobbing amidst the vast con-
course of people throughout the great Cathe
! dral; but the composer of the music which
! had so moved them neither heard nor needed
! the involuntary tribute to his genius.
| Among the crowd that passed out of the
huge doors of Downbury Minister that day
! there was not one dissentient voice. Even
| would-be cavaliers were silenced, feeling it to
be impossible to say anything which would
not be condemned as unjust and assigned its
true motive. The town rang with applause,
| and the wires flashed the news to all-absorb-
| ing London of this young genius this Won
derful composer, who from the very midst of
the people had suddenly sprung into the
| light of fame.
Nor did they cease to marvel and to inquire
about the singer who had so much to do with
Guys success. Whence came he, and why
had he never been heard of before? What
was his name? Was he town-bred or strang
/ er?