The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-08

ment. You can't get much "style''
into q pair of "overalls" and a
"wa'mus," and these two articles of
apparel, with the addition of coarse
cotton or homespun flannel shirt, con-
stituted the garb of the young men as
we'll as old ones in those days on the
frontier. But as Dick looked at the
young mans face keenly, he noticed
certain lines about the mouth and eyes
that he did not like the looks of. He
did not pretend to be a physiognomist,
however, and he might be mistaken.
1t was not always wise to judge a man
by his face, and most mems faces told
more about their owner than this ones
did. To Dick it seemed as if he wore
a mask, but through it he could catch,
now and then, a glimpse of that which
it was worn to conceal.
"He may be all right" thought
Dick, "but believe he'll bear watch
ing"
As Mamie tip-toed to seat among
the girls-for in those days the two
sexes never sat together in any kind
of meeting-the singing-teacher smiled
and gave her a genteel bow. This act
gave Mamie a certain distinction
among the other girls, and pleased her
80 much that she became radiant all
in a moment. Dick saw the effect it
had on her, and shut his teeth hard
together. In some way he felt that
there was to be trouble between him
and the singing-teacher. Other young
men saw the bow and the smile which
the stranger bestowed on Mamie and
the look with which she responded and
nudged each other, with sly look at
Dick. All of which, of course, had a
tendency to make him feel as serene
as May morning.
The whole settlement-meaning by
that everybody living within two or
three miles of the schoolhouse-had
turned out on this momentous occasion.
The ages of the audience ranged from
three months to seventy years.
"I presume that all who are likely
to take part in the singing school, if
organized, are here" the young man
said, as he rose and made graceful,
easy little bow to his audience, and
walked out in front of the rude desk.
Instantly deep silence reigned. The
noisy whispers of the women were
broken off in the middle of the SEN
tence, and the men ceased their louder
but less pervading talk. The young
men turned their eyes from the girls
to the speaker, end the young girls
forgot all about the existence of the
young men, for the time.
"My name is Maxield Wayne" he
said, as he became sure of the atten-
ton of his audience. 'I have been
spending the summer, so far, in this
State, partly for pleasure, partly for
profit" Here little smile was no.
ticed to curl the corners of his mouth.
None of his audience understood what
there was in the words he had just
spoken or the thoughts they suggested
that prompted the smile, but remem-
bered in later days, and, viewed in the
light of after-events, they knew what
he was thinking of when this remark
was made. 81 have come here partly
out of curiosity to see life in the back
woods, partly because I thought I
could pick up living here for little
while as well as elsewhere. Again
that peculiar smile, as if, to him, the
words had hidden meaning. 'I
would like to employ the time spend
among you in some profitable way. I
have taught singing-school, and
thought perhaps you might like to have
a school here for few weeks. I shall
be glad to hear from any one on the
subject.
"Deacon Snyder" called out some
one in the audience.
Instantly calls for the deacon re-
sounded from all parts of the house.
The deacon, having been singing
teacher of the primitive type "down
East" was considered standard au-
thority on musical matters. He rose
and said in wheezy voice that was
something like the tone of an asthmatic
accordion, that he had "led the sing
in, off'n' on, ever sence he'd been in
Brownsville, an afore, in other parts
O. the kentry, an he felt free to say
that the Brownsville young people had
as good voices as you'd be apt to find
in any place of it's size, but, like other
facilities of the humin bein', they
needed cultivatin'. Fer his part he
was not only in favor of school, though
he didn't know as it would be of much
benefit to him, but, the Lord willin',
he'd do what he could to help it along,
for he considered singin' means O
glorifyin' God, an our talons hadn't
ought to be left to rust an corrupt. !"
Then, with flourish of his red ban
dana and blast on his Roman nose
like the sound of a war-trumpet, he
sat down, conscious that his remarks
had preserved his reputation as very
ready and forcible ofhand speaker on
all public occasions.
81 motion that couple of young
men 60 round an see how many air
willin' to take holt an do suthin' an
how much they'll give lords sporting
a school," said the deacon's neighbor,
after q little consultation with him.
This suggestion seemed to meet with
unanimous favor, and two young men
were appointed to canvass the audi
ence for subscribers to singing
school fund. The result was that q
sufficient amount was pledged to make
the school certainty.
"Let it be understood, then" an
nounced Mr.. Wayne, 'that the term