Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-05-13
A FLASH IN THE PAN.

Il is not everybody who knows what
minor canon is, or what his duties are; so.
for the sake Of the uninformed. let me say
at once that his chief duty is to take his
turn in reading. that Is. In monotoning
and singing the daily services In a cathe
dral Such Is my duty | am a minor
canon Of the cathedral church OF March
bury occupy house within the cathe-
dral close, and thus enjoy the privilege Of
passing my days far from the madding
crowd" The life is uneventful enough
Little happens from years end to years
end to vary the humdrum OF existence. In
fact nothing more exciting than q garden
party at the bishops or "a dinner at the
deanery or tea at the archdeacon's Even
these superior functions" cause but a
slight and transient ruffie upon the calm
flow OF lifes stream
For many years, as a minor canon, have
breathed this serene and placid atmosphere
Of the close. Often have | wondered II
should live all my life thus. or whether.
some day or other, something would startle
me, like bolt from the blue, and | should
find myself plunged, on n sudden. into the
midst of the most exciting events For
many years. year after year and month
after month, | have regularly taken my
turn" In singing the services, and nothing
to me-until yesterday. and yesterday
something did happen.
II was Monday, and in the afternoon, a.
was walking along the High street of
Marchbury. was met by distinguished
looking person whom had observed al
the services In the cathedral on the pre-
vious day. Now 1t chanced on that sun
dag that was singing the service Prop
eriy speaking, II was not my turn, but as
my brother minor canons were either away
from Marchbury or i'll in bed | was the
only one left to perform the necessary
duty The distinguished looking person
was a tall, big man, with round, fat face
and small features His eyes, his hair and
mustache (his face was bare but for a
small mustache) were quite black, and he
had a very pleasant and genial expression
He wore a tall hat. set rather jauntily on
his head, and he was dressed In black,
with a long frook coat bGttoned across the
chest and fitting him close TO the body.
As he came, with half saunter. half
swagger along the street ] knew him
again mt once by his appearance, and as he
came nearer | saw from his manner that
he was intending to stop and speak to me
for he slightly raised his hat, and In n soft
melodious voice. with a colonial ''twang,'
which was far from being disagrecable and
which indeed to my ear gave a certain ad
ditional interest to his remarks. he saluted
me with Good day STRIP
Good day" | answered. with just a little
reserve In my tone
81 hope, sir" he began, 'you will excuse
my stopping you in the street, but wish
to tell you how very much enjoyed the
music Mt your cathedral yesterday. ! am
an Australian, SIR, and we have no such
music 10 my country
ii suppose not, | said
"No. sir" he went on, nothing nearly
30 fine am very fond OF music, and ~
INV business brought me In this direction
Thought | would stop at your city aud
take the opportunity OF paying a visit 70
YOUR grand cathedral And am delighted
| came. so pleased. indeed, that J should
like 70 leave some memorial OF my visit
behind me | should like, sir. to do some
thing for your choir,
II am sure Il Is very kind OF you, J re
piled
ayes. 1 should certainly be glad II yoI
eould suggest TO me something might az
in this way As regards money, may 81.
that have plenty OF it. ! am the owne
OF a most valuable property. My busines
relations extend throughout the world
and II am as fortunate In the projects o
the future ~ ! nave oetn w NuS P"'N
ahaIl probably one day achieve the prou'
position OF being the richest man In th
world
did not like TO undertake myself th
responsibility OF advising or suggesting
simply said
II cannot venture TO say ofhAnd wha
would he the most acceptable way oi snow
ing your great kindness and generosit!
but | should certainly recommend you
put yourself in communication with 10
dean"
.sFhank you. sir" said my Australia
friend. ii will do so And now; sir,
continued, "iet me say how much ! ~
miro your voice II ID. without exception
the very finest and ciearest voice ! nav
ever heard"
"Really." ! answered. quite oyercon
with such unqualified praise. really
very good OF you to say 20.
.Ahi bu. fsel u, my dear sir. ] hs