The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-12-04

to His praise" and the dear old deacon blew his
nose voclferously and sat down.
The Organization of the Choir
That was the beginning. In an hour enough vol
uneers had been found to furnish choir of sixteen
voices, including Mrs B. whose beautiful soprano
was ever IN demand, and Mrs H. the contralto Mrs.
BIS dearest friend. A formal vote was passed
authorizing the committee to pay professional
leader, and the faithful Mr. Stout was chosen to
fill that position. After some discussion. volun-
teer organlst was decided upon, tmid little
woman who played ordinary church music fairl
Wen. She, too, was a church member who burned
with zeal and longed to contribute her mite.
Eleven voices were available at the first rehearsal
Mrs. b and her dearest friend Mrs H sent word
that they going to theatre party but if thew
could nave the music they would run it over"
MI Stout felt somewhat dismayed, as he wanted
TO make great effort for the first Sunday, and
had urged all members of the choir to attend re-
hearsaI promptly. His ruffled feelings were not
smoothed when he received polite note from Miss
\, saying that had she been informed that Miss Y
was to JON the choir she should not have joined
herself As it was, she rendered her resignation
Inns certainly was discouraging and a hoarse
voice over the telephone informing Mr.. Stout that
MS most dependable tenor had the grip complicated
matters quite a bit. One of the c6fltratos inst
stayed away without notice. but in spite of the five
missing voices the chormaster was quite surprised
ny the good work done at rehearsal. They sang
well on Sunday, too, with all the singers looking
prosperous and handsome in rows of especially con-
structed seats
rehearsal, Friday night, 1880 sharp" said the
leader after service Sunday evening. ooh. Mr.
stout csame wall from eight feminine throats
accompanied by few bass and tenor grovls
why that's our club night, and we can't come
Friday night" they cried. Saturday was very in
convenient Tor MIR. Stout but it was finally chosen
alter Wednesday had been given I'D as nrovor
night Ib11rSH L.. Il
natonal guard drilled Thursday evening. and
that would take two of the best BASES AWAY
I" nat ever III do about Henry's BATH | don't
Know one young mother was heard to object. 81
know 1t" said her friend, "and John will make an
awful fuss about coming out Saturday niqbt Wen
never mind" she frightened up. "It's on1v VOL
unteer choir and I'm sure the church onpbt to
thank us tor singing at all ,and of course we need
not attend rehearsals if we don't feel like it."
The Disruption
Unfortunately, this view shared by most of
the choir, and in spite of all Mr. Stout could saw.
attendance most irregular, while he poor man.
heard many remarks to the effect that he needn't
talk; he was the only one who got anything out of
It,. Nor that the extent of his trouble One |
Saturday evening Mrs. rose hastily. scattering
her music to the four winds, and angrily walked
out of church
"Wha-what," gasped the innocent choirmaster |
as ne gazed at the closed door. 'You gave that lit
ue SOLO TO Sarah +, whispered the organist "and |
Mrs. must have ali the solos or she won't sing"
In spite of his Indignation Mr. Stout was advised |
by the committee to call and placate the lady. as
otherwise she would surely resign, taking with her
her dearest friend. As the Christmas music was
under consideration, Mr. Stout Strengthened out
his difficulty by exercising much diplomacy, and
prevented the resignation of both sopranos.
As long as the volunteer choir held together the
eader never could count sixteen present at re-
learsaL and hardness at church services was bv
10 means unheard of, as in the case already cited
# Mrs. B, who continued in the cratic WAYS of
yenious until the end of the chapter Eleven. nine
md finally only seven voices were found to be de-
'endable, and by that time the church people woke
Up to the fact that four families had left the
hurch Also, that the monthly expense account
I'D not show the expected saving, and that there
general dissatisfaction over the music Question
Or. Stout was doing his best, but he could not
old choir of frivolous young folks together after
he novelty wore off, especially as they all had 50
nany outside interests. 1t was evident that the
eighboring churches were attracting larger con-
regatlons and raising money
Therefore at the semi-annual meeting Of tho
lusc committee they decided to advertise the fact
hat good quartette would be engaged and GOOD
alaries paid 90