The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-09
THE AULD PRECENTOR.

The "precentor," as the one who
"raises the tune" in the Scotch kirk is
called, is a national character. A writer
in Great Thoughts furnishes an interest
ing sketch of one Handel Chalmers, the
precentor of Meldrummy.
Chalmers was passionately fond of
singing. Few knew how much that
fondness had cost him. Look into that
bottom drawer in his cobbler's seat, and
you will find many letters scared with
age, or sticking together with resin. DO
you see that little tinplate photograph
of young woman? That is his drama
in life. The dramas of life are more
beautiful amongst the working classes
than amidst those whose surroundings
give a natural background to drama.
No lad in Meldrummy was ever more
proud than Chalmers when Peggy
Brown looked favorably towards him.
"Will ye take a poke O sweeties,
Peggy? l brocht them frae Pealty
fair
"Oh, aye, Handel, I'll be glad O.
them"
And that was taken to mean friend
ship, and from that time Chalmers called
for her regularly every Friday night.
Then came proposal of Chalmers to
join music class, which excited Peggy
to jealousy and consequent estrange-
ment. Peggy married out of pique
ne'er-do-well, and Chalmers continued
his lonely journey. Peggy was sorely
tried by drunken husband. who allowed
her to find the food for four little mouths
that cried continuously for pieces"
Handel became well-know and re-
spected figure in Meldrummy. He was
as solemn as the most rigorous could
wish precentor to be.
"Maun Handel, ye need new coat
and anither hat people often said to
him. "Yer gittin like miser, and it's
no Christian" But he only laughed.
1t was the privilege of only few to
know how he spent his money. Peggy
could have told you. For months at a
time her husband would be on the
tramp. never sending her penny. 1t
was Handel Chalmers money that kept
Peggy and her BARNS from starving.
And for nearly thirty years it was this
drain on his earnings that kept him poor.
There was a hunger in Peggy's eyes
every time she met Chalmers, and |
often thought she longed to give him
one kiss of thanks.
"An engine!" said Sandy Watts, the
farmer. What din it will make! /
ken when they thrash my corn we Gamma
hear a word in the hoose, there's sic
row. Well no be able to sing at a"
Hoo has he taen it?" pointing to the
precentor, as he walked down the
churchyard with set face.
II dinna ken. but l saw him try twice
tae TAX pinch O. snuff cot o his reed
pipe"
This was in the late autumn days,
when the fields were ripe with harvest,
and Handel was seventy four years of
age. The morning the organ was first
used, Handels place was vacant.
Tell yer mither. Johnnie, laddie, I'll
no want tie tn day. I'm no very weel,
and hae sair cough" And Peggy I'M
derstood, and was at his bedside within
ten minutes.
Chalmers was figure once seen on the
Sunday always remembered. He was
tall and we'll built. His head was big.
and the gray hair fell in ringlets on his
neck. His black clothes were fashiona-
BILE twenty years ago, and looked the
worse of the wear. His silk hat had
been brushed and ironed at least fifteen
years. His white tie came across his
waistcoat, and was the envy of every wife
in Meldrummy. No one seemed to know
the secret of that immaculate white tie.
Yet anyone who had looked into Peggy's
home an hour before the kirk hour
would have found her busy ironing six
ties. The one that turned out best was
sent to Chalmers.
"It's for Gods servant" said Peggy
once, when caught by cousin ironing
on the Sabbath. II dinna think there's
any harm in it,"