The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-12-27

went away ?-Perhaps 1t was his real
mother.
He opened his eyes. No. There was
the organ. The great pipes were boom
ing beside him, and oh, how queer
The tenor man, with his white gloves
was blowing the organ.
-Do you feel better, my child?T whis-
pered the lady.
"Yes'm.n
"And were you siek?'
"No'm. 1 was 50 tired. There was a
'hearsal last night, and its Oh h-istmas,
and they always have lots of music, and
l fell asleep. / was very tired.
poor child! Don't they give you a
seat?'
Nom. Ialways stand, and"
"Look out" said the grand gentleman
at the bellows, your part comes next.
"Yes, see. Never mind I will sit and
sing here. They will never know the
difference. Say, little boy do you feel
comfortabIe?'
Tommy smiled and said "Yss, it's
very pleasant. But you will be very
tired"
"Never mind that. What is your
name?"
Tommy"
"Where does you mother live Tom.
my?"
81 haven't any mother. That. is, any
real mother, you know"
"Your real mother is" Here she
began to sing, oh, 50 sweet and loud, close
to his ear:
"And He shall reign forever and ever"
Tommy nodded his head and shut his
eyes.
Then the tenor man at the bellows
sang:
"And He shall reign forever and ever"
How the organ pealed the dragons
seemed to roar, and the white feather in
the beautiful lady's hat waved in the
breath that came out Of the black
mouths
"Now comes the next piece" said the
tenor man. "CAn you manage the solo
with that child in your arms?"
"Yes. Never fear"
Tommy thought he ought to get up,
but the lady's arm was around him fast
and tight, and before he could stir she
began to sing.
''Come unto Ne, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden"
Tommy had never heard anything SO
beautiful. He opened his eyes and smil-
ed, and the lady smiled and sang
"And he VIII give resi- unto your souls"
Then he heard the organ again.-"0i,
tina. was beautiful :"
'Did you ike it, Tommy? ?" Again she
took up the strain:
And He shall speak peace, psace unto your
souk"
Tommy thought he was in heaven, or,
that earth must somehow have changed
into paradise this glorious Christmas
morn.
Come unto Ne, all ye ths. labor and are heavy
laden"
The lady was singing differently now,
in voice that vas as low as the mellow
ed notes of the organ, and with exquisite
tenderness.
Bravo" said the tenor man.
The lady smiled and said, 'Tm sing
ing to Tommy now. If the people hear
too, it is all right, but I'm only singing
for Tommy"
The boys whole lace lighted with
pleasure, and the tenor man laughed,
and the beautiful lady smiled and sang
and He shall speak peace, peace unto YOU
souls"
and then continued in long, glad strair
that seemed full OF rejoicing.
Presently she stopped and Tommy
said. THAT was good !" Then he seem.
ed to think about something, and the
beautiful lady appeared to know al
about it, for she asked
"Would you like to sing, Tommy ?"
"Yes'm. only-only-I have to blow
-and-no-Fratber-"
Rather what?"
"Id rather play"
"Play" said the tenor man. "Play
with to- sand things?'
"No, sir, Play the organ. mean tC
some day."
Look out again here's the mex
solo,
Yes" said the lady and then she sang
again
And He shall feed His iocks ike shepherd
and carry the lambs in His arms"
When she sang that she brushed the
boys hair back with her jeweled hand
and drawing him close to her sang:
And gather the lambs within HIS Arms"
and kissed him. Then the organ wen
on alone.
$50 you'd like to play the organ Tom
my?"
"Yes'm, l would"
''Really and truly ?''
"Yes'm; really and TRULY" said he
trying to rise.
"Be quiet, Tommy. Lie still, / canno
sing if you
Her voice mounted up in song again
growing softer in measured cadences
And He shall speak peace, peace unto you
souls"
Peace Lower snd more plaintiv
grew the notes of the organ. They die,
away in silence. Then followed III ebene
diction:
.And nov may grace, mercy and peace be wit
you"
There was rustle-more nusic-th
people were going out.
"Mercy and peace-forever," said tn
lady softly. Tommy felt himself lifte'
and placed upon his feet. An ungloSe,
hand was placed within his own. Dow
the stairs he passed. Out into the frost,
Christmas air he was led, to the home o
his new found friend. And there b,
found both shelter and lOve-a foretast
of the higher and happier home on high
Years have passed. There is silver il
the lady's hair. She no longer sits anon
the singers. The old organist is gone
In his place sits another, who year b,
year takes up the anthem Of the centu
ries. The lady listens to him with NOR
than Christmas joy and thanksgivin