Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-05-20
CHE BEGAN To SING THE OLD WAR SONGS

SHE BEGAN To SING THE OLD WAR SONGS
eye would have noticed on many faces.
especially on the older ones. look OF
peaceable expectation. as though there
was to be something a little extra on
the program.
The Introductory remarks were
made; the invocation was offered; the
band played. Then tall, serene faced
young woman came forward to the
very edge of the platform and for an
imperceptible moment looked into the
eyes that answered her with look
of tender recognition and of remem-
brance that she knew was not alone
for her. There were cheers and clap
ping of hands, and from here aud
there came the words. 'Efner. our
Elmer"
Then she began to sing the old war
songs, Marching Through Georgia"
Brave Boys Are They" Tramp.
Tramp" When the choruses came she
lifted her white hand as baton aud
led the quavering voices that Joined
hers into decorous time and tune. The
veterans nodded approvingly. aud here
and there tear made Its way down a
furrowed cheek. Then after the ora
tor Of the day and the distinguished
citizen had had their innings and the
band had done its worst she sang for
them again. There had been enthu.
siasm. fervor. pathos. heartbreak. In
her voice as she sang the old songs.
to which there had been quick re-
Spouse. So now In the exaltation. the
triumph. of the Battle Hymn Of the
Republic" the worn old soldiers SEEM
ed with her to see 1.-The glory Of the
coming of the Lord"
AS the last notes died away a man
in the audience asked Of the one be-
side him. do you know who she tsp
Her name Is Elinor Mason, sir But
| reckon we've heard all that's with
while, and II you'd like to hear about
her we might repair to the shadder OF
the outrageous oak yander-to use a
fgger Of speech, 1t being early for um.
brageousness-and I'll tell you. This
vast patriotic assembly will soon 60
into the cemetery to lay their tributes
Of affection on the heroes graves, and
meantime we can converse. infer
that you are stranger here"
The stranger assented.
1.-The young lady's father" he re
sumed. was one of the boys of this
regiment. He served two years and
came home alive. and that's about all
He never was in any big battle. but
the malary of Il southern swamp. II Il
kills. is mans Waterloo to him JUS
as truly as shot or SHE'LL takes longer
that's all. After waiting eighteen OF
twenty years. more or less, to get wei
he married the girl he left behind him
A1C NV Cu iOhS CuouSu W uUlu Ills llllit
daughter ON his knee and hear he
sing the old songs that he taught he
himself. He had splendid voice, ant
Elmer sang before she could talk plain
They named post after him here. anC
the boys sort Of adopted the little girl
AS she grew up she sang for them a
their campfres and reunions and othe
gatherings and for all the social doing,
In the village. She was the leadin,
soprany in the Episcopal church her,
when she was mere kid. 1t wa,
such mite of an affair-the building
! mean-that the outsiders. irreveren
cusses, called 1t the Church Of tn,
Holy Pepper Box, the ii. p. B. TO
short When she was about fifteen,
should say, rich uncle discovered her
ana after giving her the best teacher,
at home he sent he abroad for study
she's been home only few months
she's soloist In Chicago church
And, what do you think, sir-she's com,
up here to sing for the boys today ant
TO put posies on her dads grave. And
say, didn't she sing that Marching
on song to beat the band2 It made
me feel as though maybe God Is
marching on In this wicked old worlt
after all. Curious how Just SOM
and woman's voice can make a mar
feel, isn't ItY'
she certainly has voice OF grea,
power, and she sings with rare ex
preston" was the response.
II don't s,pose though continuos