Mohave County miner., 1891-03-21

chffy IL Oh 6n on, up into the yauited
roof, and out into the mist and dark
ness Of the night
'''Mins the life gnined--'"
As the player caught a glimpse OF
the rapt expression on the mans face,
a sudden chill seemed 10 strike her.
''how music affects his facet" she said
to herself. Bot the look haunted her,
they sang for hour-, easter chants and
triumphant feserrection hymns; but
through II all Michael's face, as he
stood singing that first hrrn, was
present To his teacher. She could not
forget it When at last they had sung
rs much as they liked, and all was
arranged for the coming easter music.
they said a friendly goodnight" 10
Miss Mary" and departed to their
homes. happy and contented. Michach
who had TO walk hls two miles into
the country, took tho books from Mrs.
Bland, and trudged at respectful
distance behind her until her own
door was reached. when, with sar-
want mlstiss, he too vanished into
the night
Several weeks went by, and there
were no more choir MEETINGS Ut st.
Phillips fer fever had brokeu out
amongst the negroes. and in almost
every house there was illness. There
was great suffering, for 1t had been n
hard winter ard they we're very i'm
proyident, but at last things seemed TO
mend, and the week before easter Mrs.
Bland sent word to Classy that there
would be a meeting OF the choir on the
following Thursday-Holy Thursday
night. On that morning Classy pre-
sented herself, looking demure and
self-contained as usual, though all her
family had been down with the fever,
and were not even then entirely we'll
Miss Mary" she said, "'tain' no
use to have practice tonight 'ccs
Michael is low as he kin be; an some
how / can't git used 10 singin' 'thout
Michael. Seems like my voice would
ies die out in my th'oat" Her voice
tremhled and broke.
AhAShhcA anu 4sAIdE Dldklu
jumped up and seized her bonnet.
Oats it, Miss Mary-dst's it. He
say he wan see Miss Mary; he jes
call for Miss Mary all de time. II
you will low me, I'll jes walk out wild
you, an show you de way TO Michael's
house. You ben dar?"
Never in the house, but often I
have driven by the door, and he al
ways was standing by the forge, work.
ing hard, poor fellow, at his black
smithing, and he never failed TO see
me, and bow and scrape and look
happy as passed"
Michael fairly 'dores de groun' you
walk on, Miss Mary. He say ofen, il
all white folks was like you, dis yere
would be more easy-like worr to live
in, y replied Classy, mournfully.
They set forth. and took the country
road, going on their way silently, the
heart OF one Of them yearning over
the thought Of the meagre, desperate
ly hard life Of the poor fellow she was
going TO. What had he done since he
was born but work and struggle for
bare lifep And then, with a great
throb OF thankfulness, she remember
cd the passionate love for music given
him by the All-Father, and how it had
sweetened his hard life, and elevated
and purified his whole nature. And,
with sudden rush OF binding tears,
she gave thanks for the privilege that
had been hers Of helping this poor
soul, struggling and seeking for the
light.
On clean white bed Michael lay,
his wife wiping the death dew from
his face. A faint but happy smile
lighted up the poor black face as he
saw who entered. She could not
speak, but only took his hand. hard
with honest work. but weak now, and
never again to be strong in this world.
''Miss Mary, how good! My mistis!"
The wife and Classy turned away.
Miss Mary, sing-weary-'tis de
voice"
And Miss Mary sang-sang as she
never had before, and as the sweet
melody and beautiful words fell on his
ear, Miehael's face was "as
the face Of an angel"
I" 80 vile am, how dare / hope to stand
In the pure glory Of that holy Landp"
Oats sol Lord, how dare /! His
de blood dat can for all atonel Dear
Lord, atone for Michael"
"'Mins the life WON"
Miss Mary" stopped singing, for
poor Michael had passed beyond the
sound Of human voices, into 'the pure