The Press., 1893-07-20
and soft and beautiful, making the green

clear of cloud Ofcourse the church was full long before the. concert commenced. | some even standing up. Squire Foster was there with the Misses Foster; Dea- con Faunce, his wife, the minister's fam fly and all; and off one side of the plat form, which had been raised in front of the pulpit, sat old Dame Graham and John. John Graham seemed wrapped up in thought, hardly needing any thing that was passing before the wondering eyes of all, sitting still with gaze cast on the floor, saying nothing, and seemingly revolving something in his mind that troubled him. He did ask single question of his moth- or, What songs do young Foster and Miss Mildie sing?" and then relapsed into silence again. Could we have looked into John Araham's thoughts then, we would have found him turning over and over and over again that one sentence Deacon Faunce spoke in the wagon riding home -"I really think she thinks more of his voice than she does of him."
 Meantime the performers of the evening had taken their seats upon the platform. Jamie Thompson was dressed in white dress dotted with black, and an immense wide collar tied up in her neck with large green ribbon. But she looked as bright and sparkling as ever, and Tim Jackson tried to get the next seat to her, and succeeeed only to be ushered by Peg goty Plmpton out again into the mems own row. Little Jennie Reyes looked sweetiy in pink, and all the rest of the girls bore out the ancient reputation of Q- for good taste in adornment. The .'get up' of K Bryson and his friends could only be equaled, never excefled. ks only trouble seemed to be that there was 8 natural aEimosity existing between his vest and trowers, both manifesting mutual desire 10 part company. Mildie Faunce's piano was on the platform, but both she and Harry Foster sat among the audience in flont.
 At eight the 'sOde to Juno" opened, and was carried through to the great delight of all, as the dust which filled the church from the stamping and applause plainly kept in mind. Jennie Keys sung ''Gen- tie Hallie" beautifully, and had to sing it again. and all went swimmingly, to the intense satisfaction of Peggoty Plimpton. To be sure Mrs. Sharp thought she never saw Ella Page look so shabbily, and Mrs. Page thought Emma Sharp's hair looked as though it had been in a dust hole; and there were few comments on Ann Stur- tevelt's fairy dress being of a very scant length, and looking amazingly like her
  these were only little extraneous matters foreign to the music.
 And now came MT. Henry Foster, with "We met by chance" John Graham threw his eyes up moment and then riv eted them on the floor, where he had kept them during the whole evening. Foster sang his sang fourishingly and easily, and was much applauded. He had a good voice and free manner.
 But as soon as the applause was over came deep hush, for Miss Faunce was now to sing. All leaned forward and watched her slight form as she lightly mounted the platform and took her seat at the piano. Casting her eyes about her for a moment, and tripping her figers over a note or two, she broke out into sim- pie, wild old melody, that made the au- dience start and hold their breaths. It was Of war and waving banners, and grim battle, and bloody victory, and every word thrilled the very air. John Graham start cd to his feet, and leaning forward, one hand on his cane, one on the back of his mothers chair, watched her, with every fibre vibrating through his frame. When she ceased and quietly took her seat there was at first perfect silence, then the ap- plause broke forth unanimously.
 And there stood John Graham, with head thrown up and hair thrown back, his face all aglow with passionate excitement. Suddenly he stalked forward without his cane, and steadily mounted the platform. The applause ceased-all eyes fixed on him in astonishment. Seating himself al the piano he threw a thunder of deep notes on the air, and looking up as through the riven ceiling, he sung, in superb vol tune of voice, grand and round, and yet If
 'Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming o1 He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes
 Of wrath are stored;
 He hath loOsed the fateful lightning of His ter.
 rible swift sword:
 His truth is marching on.
 have seen Him in the watch-fires of hundred We have bSiided him an altar in the evening have read His righteous sentence by the din
 and faring lamps:
 Gods day is marching on."
 As he closed the verse the whole house sat rapt in wonder. And we'll they might His every look and tone showed that place, people, time, were not in his thoughts, and that on John Graham haG fallen 8 seeming inspiration.
 But he went on now low and trembling ly, each word quivering along the roof an6 y, through the rough farmers hearts
 'In the beauty ot the lilies, Christ was borr With beauty in His bosom that transhgure.
 you and me;
 AS He died to make men holy, let us die tc
 Gods word is marching on."
 And then pausing, his great deep voice rolled out again, in 8 passion of feeling: II have read a fiery Gospel, writ in burnishet AS ye deal with my contemners, so with you m,
 grace will deal;
 Let the Hero born Of women crush the serpent
 Since Gods truth is marching on.' He has sounded forth the trumpet that shal
 never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before Hi Oh! De swift, my soul, to answer Him; be Jubi
 lant, my feetl
 For God is marching on. .-e.
 The effect was wondrous. You coulC have heard feather drop You did heal many long drawn breath, many deer sigh. No applause, no loud sound. Ev cry one ,spell-bound, looking at the singer
 And then John Graham got up from tn, piano, and went down and sat beside hi! mother in silence. And as he passed Mil dred Faunce he touched her hand ant WHAoPiCu, ROiSF3 ino, M1ule, anu no another word. What he meant I do no know, unless, perhaps, daring to follow her own glowing song.
 After a long pause the concert went on though all felt it was dull after this. Al they left the front of the church, after al was over, Mildie came close up to Johl Graham, and putting her hand in his asked him simply and in a low tone:
 John, where did you learn that song ?
 Before the camp-fires, Mildie. 'Tis simple air in itself; but I was laborins under the excitement from your song, ane felt what sung. It was an old favoritt with the regiment. The7 time heard 1t. 1t was sung by two little drummer-boy as they lay in the damp grass dying singing and dying and I thought of tht poor boys too. Good-nightr' r'
 AGOOd- might, v,