Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-01-11
LOUIS CLARIONBE.
A CHRISTMAS STORY


in the Second Westcock Church. The
church at Second Westcock was quaint
and old-fashloned, like the village
oyer which it presided. Its shingles
we're gray with the beating of many
winters its little square tower was
surmounted by spindllng posts, like the
legs of u table turned heayenward its
staring windows were addorned with
curtains of yellow cotton its uneyen
and desolate chu-chyard, strewn with
grayes and snowdrifts, occupied a bleak
hillside looking out across the bay to
the lonely hight of shepody Mountain
Down in the long slope below the
church struggled the village half lost
in the snow, and whistlsd ever by the
winds of the Bay Of Fu"dy.
Second Westcock WAS an outlying
corner of the rector's expansive par
,sh and a Christmas eve service there
was an event almost unparalleled. 10
give Second Westcock this service, the
rector had forsaken hls prosperous
congregations at WeStcock, SackvllIe
and Dorchester, driving some eight or
ten miles through the SHOWS and soil
tude of the deep Dorchester woods.
And because the choir at Second
Westcock WAS not remarkable even Tor
willingness. mucn lsss for streasth or
skill, he had grought with him his
6lteen-ysar-old niece. Lou Allison, to
swell the Christmas praises with the
notes Of her clarlonet.
The little church was lighted with
OIL lamps ranged aloag the white wall
between the windows. The poor, bare
chancel-a red cloth covered kitchen
table IN slmi-circIe Of painless rail
ing-was nanked by two towering pul
pits Of white pine. On either side the
narrow, carpetless aisle were rows OF
unpanted benches.
On the left were gathered solennlv
the men of the congregation, each
looking straight ahead. On the rlgh'
we're the women, whispering and scan
pipy each others bonnets, till the ap-
pearance of the rector from the llttle
yestrv-room by the door should bring
silence and reverent attention.
In front Of the womens row stood
the melodeoa, and the two benches
behind it were occupied by the choir
the male mem bers Of which sat blush
ingly self -conlclous, proud OF their
office, but deeply abashed ut the ne
cesslty of citing among the women.
There was no attempt at Chrlstmat
decoration, for Second Westcock ha(
never been awakened to the delicious
excltements of the church greeting.
At last the rector appeared in his
voluminous white surplace. He moved
slowly up the aisle, and mounted the
winding steps of the right.hand pulpit
and us be did so his five year old son
forsaking his place by Louis side
marched forward and seated hlmsel
resolutely on the pulpit steps. He a'(
not feel quite at home in Second West
cock church.
The sweet old carol, while shep-
herds wached their hocks by night,
rose rather doubtfully from the little
choir, who looked and listened askanc'
at the glltterng clArionet, lato which
Lou was Tow blowing softly. Lou wa
afraid to make herself distinctly hssrt
at first. lest sLe sh ,uld Sttrtle the sin =
gers; but IN the second verse the pure
vibrant notes came out with contiden enct
and then for two lines the song wa
little more than duet between Lou an(
the rector's vigorous baritone. liz tb
third verse, however, it all came right
The choir felt and responded to the
strong support and thrilling stimulus
of the instrument. and at length ctase'
10 dread their own voices The nakee
little church was gloritied with thu
sweet Of trumphal song puls1'in
through it.
Never before had such mMslc beel
heard there. Men women and chlldrel
sang from their very souls, and whe'
tLe hymn WAS ended the whole CON
grsgatlon stood Tor some seconds rs III
dream. with quiver'ng tnroats, till th
rector's calm voice, repeating the open
ing words Of the liturgy. brought back
their self-control in some measure.
Thereafter every hymn and chan
and caroll WAS Like an inspiration, an'
Louis ewes sbarkled with exalfation
When the service was over the peopl
gathered round the stoue by the doc
praising LOUIS clarones and pettin
little Ted, who had by this time com
down from the 7ulpit steps. One ok
lady gave tie child two Or three brow
sugar. biscuits whicn she had brougb