The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-27
THE BOY ORGANISE

Deacon Abner Smith was a pAiloso- pher lover of wisdom: he loved to explain the reason for things and to make investigations into phenomena both of mind and matter. The particu- lar department of knowledge on which he loved to discourse was theology.
 Mrs. Deacon Smith, looking from the sittingroom window, behe,d Alp ner close in discussion with Deacon Hubbel at the front gate. She knew the general collection of laws and principles which governed their lines of argument, but was curious 10 know what subject gave them new and par ticular interest.
 Up went the window.
 "Abner. should think it vas too hot to stand in the broiling sun at midday. l wish you'd bring n that bushel box of tomatoes you were pick, ing to be canned"
 Abner and the deacon drew apart, came together, alternately retreated and advanced, continuing the discus sion, and finally parted. As Deacon Hubbell passed up the road Abner came slowly up the walk and, lifting the box of tomatoes, bore il to the hack room. Mrs. Smith arranged the ripe, red fruit in shining pan, pour ing scalding water over them to loosen the skins.
 Abner stood thoughtfully by.
 oil l lnpilc1 fn have MT. Playwright for the new or ganist.' he began. Hes got style in advance of most-'
 Yes" sniffed Mrs. Smith, and ex poets salary in advance of most. He can play hymns like popular airs, and as to voluntary-why, Deacon Turn pike trotted down the church aisle something scandalous because the vol untary started just as he came in to the meeting, and he's used to keeping step with sort of dignified way"
 Abner listened meekly
 Now, if it was that young fellow we heard two Sundays ago, he can play devotional music as if he liked it. He can play hymns as if he felt 'em, and as to the voluntary. why, you could see angels gliding up and down the aisles. it was so holy"
 When his wife saw visions Abner became helpless. She was silent so long after this that he thought she had finished and turned to move away. She called him back.
 What our church ought to do is to engage that boy. He needs encourag ing and we need to save. Why, he q save us half the interest on the church mortgage for half year."
 Mrs. Smith began peeling potatoes with a business-like air. Deacon Smith, the boy organist on his mind, moved away to the hayfeld and pitched hay as though he saw silver dollars saved toward the mortgage.
 Never had Mrs. Smith seen her hus- band start for church meeting more complacently than that night, And never had Deacon Smith had more business on hand before the meeting, talking to this one and that, and draw ing about him Silas Turnpike, MT. Huber and Deacon Hubbel.
 When the meeting was open he was the first to his feet and unburden his mind.
 Brethren" he began, when the question of the new organist was first raised in this community l was O. the i opinion that the best thing we could do was to engage Mir. Playwright. but l stand here tonight holding differ | ent opinion.
 We are a small community. Not | one of us here but has put his hand l down into his pocket and found less there than he needed to provide for 1 his family and give to the church and the poor. We're on the point oi | pledging more money for music thai we can afford, and l for one hold the opinion t.aat it would be better tt hire the boy organist &t simpler price and see something saved towarC the interest on the mortgage
 He sat down How would the chair man of the music committee take this statement, he who approved Mir. Play wright and had been running him fol the past month?
 Silas Turnpike rose with an apolo getic cough.
 Brothers, may not understand tho philosophy of the thing" said he, "bu do know that what Brother Smitl has said is true. We put our hands 1T our pockets and find not enough fol our families and outside wants hol( the opinion that that boy can play al well for us as We can we'll pay for.
 Gazing into space, the chairman O the amusement committee remained immovable.
 A silence ensued and a pause broker by his rising Brethren" he began when I was boy I loved music bet ter than anything in the world.
 liked the study of it and the practice of it. meant to play the Lords music in the Lords house, but l had to tak' the fourth sons share of work on humble farm and my dream of becom ing a musician faded. Since then | have been instrumental in obtaininl