News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-03-04

their minds to make the best of a
very bad situation. They We're tech
nically skillful, and from a variety
of reasons they sang with a power
that probably astonished themselves.
The unwonted surroundings, the very
squalOr and inhuman aspect of every
repulsive physical thing, the staring
white faces that grow up in tenement
atmosphere until they become types
that can be fitted on to any other tene-
ment house grown person, all this act
ed with a definite measure Of excite
ment upon the quartet, and as mat
ter of fact Rev. Paul Falmouth said to
himself he had never heard them sing
with more expression or real feeling
on any occasion.
When the song ceased a sigh went
up through the rooms, and out on the
roofs a movement could be heard that
was like applause Falmouth stood up
afraid or seemingly conscious of his
unusual situation. He talked of eter-
nal life, how it began, what it was
worth, how it could be distinguished
from physical life.
The people understood him. Mrs.
Caylor, who had sObbed all through
the singing, was perfectly quiet while
Falmouth talked and afterward, when
he prayed for her and for all mothers
who had lost children.
Then the quartet sang again. When
they ended, there was unmistakable
applause from the roofs. The soprano
turned red, the alto looked confused,
the tenor scOwled and the bass seemed
uncertain whether to smile or frown.
Gordon came to the rescue by rising
and helping Mrs. Caylor as she took
last look at the poor figure in the coffin.
She Shrieked and flung up her arms
until the undertaken somewhat rough
ly, but, as Gordon knew afterward,
with no real intention of being so,
thrust the sliding cover of the coffin
up in its groove, covering the body
from sight. Tommy Randall took one
end Of the coffin, the undertaken took
the other end, and the brief procession
IlltthC IlH wa lClllOlllOuSlg Oul Vi
the room and down to the wagon
which was in waiting on Bowen street.
Falmouth went in and spoke a few
words of comfort to the mother, who
seemed, now that it was all over. to
have resigned herself to her usual apa-
thy. When the minister came out, Cor
don and the singers were grouped to-
gethCr watching the crowd dispense
from the roofs and back staircases, so
as to get out on the street and see the
coffin loaded into the wagon.
This is hOlrible-horrible! Let us get
out as soon as possible!' the soprano
murmured. She was holding a fine
scented handkerchief to her face. The
smoke from the chimneys of the house
below was drifting in heavy masses
up through the corridor and into the
rooms Of all the apartments that open
ed on it as the only outlet
First time l ever heard applause at
a funeral the tenor muttered speak
ing partly to Gordon. Gordon looked at
the singer quietly and simply said:
"How many of the people ever heard /
first class music? Did you ever think
there is more than one kind of hun
ger?"
They all went down the stairway to-
gether, as they had come up, Gordon
as before leading the way Going down |
the alto said: But this is simply awful. I
How can human beings live in such /
places?" i
"They don't live" Gordon said, ex-
actly as he had said to Mr. Marsh. BE
careful Of that step. The stairs are I'M |
clean today. l think Mr.. Ran.
dali is responsible for that. l never saw
the corridor so clean as it was today"
Clean the soprano gasped. Il shall .
never be able to wear this dress again. /
This is the most fearfully awful place .
/ was ever in"
Gordon did not say anything until |
they were all down and out of the .
court into Bowen street again. Then he .
turned to the soprano
would you and the rest of the quar- /
tet be willing to come down to Hope .
House some time this fan and take
part in free concert in the new hall?" |
'I-I-Clon't know" the soprano look |
ed doubtfUlly at the other singers.
Il think 1 could come" the alto said |
a little hesitatingly.
Don't believe | could manage.
time" the tenor answered
shortly.
Gordon shut up like a new knife and /
Gid not say another word until the
party was back at Hope House. When |
they went out to get the car that went |,
by at the next block, Falmouth said to
Gordon: Don't get discouraged. But |
oh, my God, what human misery Cor
don, you social settlement people all |
ways have to look at! 1t seems to me |
the sight would drive you mad after
awhile. The utter hopelessness of it is
enough to kill the heart of a giant"
God is not dead" Gordon answered |
He shook hands all around and thanked |
Falmouth and the singers, feeling a lit
tie ashamed of his curt silence at the
tenor's refusal to accept his invitation.
Falmouth promised to come down soon
and take tea at Hope House and parted
with Gordon under the impression that
the afternoons experience had brought
them some closer together.
How little any one of us reckons on
the changes that come into all our plans