Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-05-13
THE ORGANISE.

H.
inspected by many; I never felt it possible
20 receive him into the inner circle of
those for whom respect is tempered with
Affection. The reasons were many, but
chief of all was this principal offense, that
Jeremy, though by trade smiter of iron
and sheer OF horses, on the Sabbath day
led the singing at Bethesda chapel upon
an aged instrument of much harshness.
This barmonium, one of the most con-
trary and difficult of an obstinate race,
was, despite it's quite ordinary accouter-
ment of walnut and green baize, regarded
by the people with veneration through
whose mystic haze shone Mr.. Dodd him
self-a veritable maestro.
Jeremy strongly shared the popular mu-
steal tendency to illustrate words and
ideas by different shades of sound, but
while at the mention of death many or
ganists cause doubts of the blowers faith
fulness to his trust by the sudden faint
ness of their offerings, Jeremy always
greeted such references with the most
strident of tones. Our instrument was
rich in such and never failed him.
Occasionally, however. when we sang
Of the valley of the shadow of death he
reverently drew his favorite stop, and the
realistic results thus produced bad been
known so to affect Farmer Robinson 8
wife that she gave up her morning gossip
in the porch and went quietly home.
When first I knew him, Jeremy Dodd
had been for three years widower. He
was sad man, morose in manner and
scanty of speech, and at first in sympathy
I thought him the bearer of hidden sor-
row, but his neighbors enlightened me on
that point, giving of the late Mrs. Dodd a
brief biographical sketch remarkable for
it's lack of good deeds and denying to it's
subject even the redeeming quality of
good intentions. Nobody could lie found
to say of Sarah Dodd that she even meant
well. For Dodd himself, though he was
not beloved, there were many to say that
and more if need be.
His voluntaries were mostly in the mi
nor key, and though he frequently gave us
simpljfied arrangements from the best
known oratorios he was indefatigable in
his search for the sadder and more wailing
airs.
But gradually into this cherries life a
light came, and he began slowly but sure
~ to reflect it's radiance and it's warmth.
The style of his playing and the setting OF
his hymns were new. No longer was our
departure from the morning service hasten
ed by minor chords long drawn out and
doleful. Dodd actually learned new
march to take the periodic place OF
"Hillsj'' and gave of it to us freely.
For three weeks I saw increasing signs
of humanness in our organist, and then
learned its cause.
lit is not unlikely but that Mr.. Dodd
will want you to play for him bit III a
week or two" said my landlady one
night, and I selfishly and maliciously,
though in perfect ignorance, answered,
$50 suppose, Mr.. 3ell:.''
The poor woman s disappointment was
so sudden that she nearly dropped the
cheese, and 1, repenting, added, "What
have you heard about it?'
"Wel], sir, it is said that Mr.. Dodd is
walking out most regular with Mary Kit
son, the founding girl what Mr.. and
Mrs. Withers adopted, having none of
their own, more than 20 years ago."
''Mrs. Bell" said, "what you tell me
is very interesting and quite news to me,
except that for some weeks past I have
noticed great change in Mr.. Dodd,
which now understand"
Thus was Mrs. Bell appeased, and her
news received with honor and distinction
to- herself.
Within two months of that discovery
Jeremy Dodd took unto himself Mary Kit
son to wife; and all the village was glad.
But what honeymoon they had was taken
quietly at home, and my services were not
required for long time to come.
1T was indeed Sipht tn GOO 1oro,Dv
coming up the little chapel with his bonny
young wife, full of pride at his husband s
position and prowess, and the faces of both
showing kindness and good feeling to all.
The leading soprano, a large woman,
with larger voice, both past their prime,
showed signs of rebellion when Mary took
her place next the organist, and in olden
times there would have been a storm, but
after Mary Dodd had walked the length OF
the village street with Margaret Henson
they were closest friends. Jeremy, who
used to be at strife with his choir, and
they in turn with the congregation, now
played in sympathy with them both, but
he was much less conspicuous than before,
for his wife's young, fresh voice rang out
above the rest and seemed to lead us all.
Out OF the way folk who couldn't at
tend reg lar" as they said, came to, hear
her sing solo, an event too infrequent
for me-, but savoring of ritualism to the
rustic mind. All the praise was now to
his wife, none to Jeremy, save indirectly,
but he seemed surprisingly content, and
day by day his face grew softer, his eyes
relaxed their sternness and, above all, his
walk, most truthful index of the mind,
was changed. @@" ~. -. @$=s.
Many are the stories I have beard Of the
kindness Of heart Of Mary Dodd, stories Of
clever head as we'll. Many were the
children that remembered her as mother
or as sister what they needed most she
gave them-and to the old and lonely
might one yet go confidently for tales 81
watching and cheerful nursing, tales that
they tell sloWly between their smiles and
tears. :sz9s5=s .s 5:# E zz e
sS8 For nearly year there was peace and
great oontentment in that household, and
then I missed Mrs. Dodd from her place
one Sunday and stopped to ask for her.
Jeremy told me she was not very well and
WINS staying at home spell.
During the week that followed 4 the
countryside was startled and CONCERNED
by the sudden death OF the squire, Tor,
though he had not been man given "a
religious exercises, he had helped the PEG.
pie with their chapel, and they were not
fungrateful. 5.ss. 4.
sS35 On fho Caknrf1av e, ~, s..