Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-10-13
IN PERPETUITY
BY 5ERTA RICE
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922. by McClure NeWsnanar Svnhlcntn

~ AAu'N Oh lueSuu1 AFTERNOON Ut
o'clock. A goodly attendance is re-
quested, to consider an important
church matter" announced Pastor
Weeks to his Sunday morning congre-
CATION.
Comparatively few knew that the
church matter" mentioned referred to
the difficult task Of preventing the
widow Bailey from entering upon her
tifty-tirst year as Organist of Hillaton's
Baptist church. A naturally curiosity
therefore, aided in assembling good
ly attendance on the appointed date.
The subject soon came up for dis
cussion. Mrs. Trask, president Of the
circle, declared: Last Sundays per-
Torrance capped the climax. She
played the last hymn in the wrong
key, and didn't know It,"
We've stood it for 25 years" opined
Mrs. Miller.
Twenty-Five years? Susan Bailey
was church Organist before l was
born and I'm forty-two,' complacent-
ly admitted Mrs. Trask
~AiNi W. 6tAllllS away Alblu lllC
main isSueY was Mrs. Campbells
diplomatic interference. 1--WE all
agree she continued, that Mrs.
Bailey has outlived her usefulness as
an organist. | move we appoint our
church clerk, Mr.. Miller, to acqualnt
her with the facts and request her
resignation l also suggest that he
carry substantial check with him.
81 second the"
atwood won't do 1t. All the dis
agreeable work Is put onto him."
Motion" concluded a member
The president raped for order. You
must let me put the question Mrs.
Miller"
The motion had a majority vote, the
only exception being Mrs Miller, who
emphatically asserted: atwood won't
do It,"
He was spared the ordeal by Mrs.
Bailey leaving the village on a vaca-
tion trip the following day.
1T is an answer to prayer he said
to his wife. | hated the job of dis
missing her. Now we can get new
organist and have her installed before
Mrs Bailey returns. l don't know
where We'll get another to play just
for glory"
Momentarily however, the change
was made without friction. Miss
Gladys Young, seminary graduate,
was engaged for the next Sunday.
The next morning service began aus
piciously. a full choir and a large
congregation We're In attendance.
While the people assembled, Miss
Young played an overture, but the
music was so faint it was scarcely
heard.
After the last hymn, Miss Young
sprang from her seat, and faced the
singers with an angry ultimatum.
That's the last time I'll pump this
wheezy old box" she declared, pound
ing the keyboard with her fist I'm
paralyzed to the waist"
"Why, what's the matter?" they
questioned.
Matter? Just sit down and work
those pedals. You'll need IA ton weight
on each foot And the bellows leaks
something awful"
Mrs. Bailey never seemed to mind
it," said one.
"Then she's the one to play. I'm
through
"Oh, Gladys, yOu1l have to play this
afternOon-theres no one else
u refuse to play. And that's final"
Mr.. Miller rode over to Camp Mil
ford where Mrs. Bailey was vacation
ing
See they can't do without me even
for one Sunday" she triumphed
At two minutes of three, Mrs.
Bailey, with her blond wig askeW,
and hat yampishly tilted over her right
eye, took her glorified seat at the or
gan. Boldly the music began and
continued, with more than the usual
instrumental errors that were chart
tably ignored. The service closed with
the national anthem. The tenor hur-
riedly suggested to Mrs. Bailey tnat
they sing without accompaniment il
she felt nervous about playing with
out notes,
"GOod land ! can play the Star
Spangled Banner with my eyes shut
Go back there and sing"
The patriotic fervor expressed by
the indomltable spirit of the aged
organist communicated itself to the
audience which joined in the exultant
refrain with a verye and abandon that
was inspiring. Ger the land Of the
free, and the home of the brave"
reached the finale in a triumphant
peal that set all hearts athrill
A week later the choir gave Mrs.
Bailey surprise party that included
a generous check. Mrs. Miller, who was
absent, inquired of her HUSBAND:
Wasn't Mrs. Bailey pleased?"
pleased is a weak word. When l
left. her stffened old legs were dane
ing double hOrnpipe around the
room. while she waved the check alOft,
crying
Look at that They want met