Life — June 18, 1896 — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MUSIC BY THE CHOIR. AFTER the church organist had played a voluntary, introducing airs from “‘tag2"" and the “Black Crook"—which, of course, were not recognized by the congregation —the choir arose for its first anthem of the morning. The choir was made up of two parts, a quartette and achorus. The for- mer occupied seats in the front row—because the members were paid. The chorus was grouped about and made a somewhat striking as well as startling picture. There were some who could sing; some who thought they could; and there were others. ‘The leader of this aggregation was the tenor of the quartette. He was tall, but his neck was responsible for considerable of his extreme height. Because he was paid to lead that choir he gave the impression to those who saw him that he was cutting some ice. A greater part of his contortions were lost because the audience did not face the choir. Phe organist struck a few chords and without any preliminary wood- sawing the choir squares itself for action. Of course, there were a few who did not find the place till after arising — this is so in all choirs —but finally all appeared to be ready. The leader let out another link in his neck, and while his head was taking a motion similar to a hen’s when walking, the choir broke loose. This is what it sang “Abide-e-e — bide — ab — abide —with abide with — bide —a-a-a-a-bide — me with me-e-e—abide with—with me—fast —t-a-a-s-t falls —abide —fast. the even —fast fa-a-a-lls the —abide with me—eventide—falls the-e-e-eventide — fast —the—the dark—the darkness abide—the darkness deepens —Lor-r-d with me-e-e—Lord with me—deepens — Lord—Lord—darkness deepens — wi-i-th me—Lord with me—me a-a-a-a-abide.” That was the first verse. There were three others. Everyone is familiar with the hymn, hence it is not necessary to line the verses, During the performance some who had not attended the choir rehearsal the ‘Thursday evening previous were a little slow in spots. During the passage of these spots some would move their lips and not utter a sound, while others —particularly the ladies—found it convenient to feel of their back hair or straighten their hats. Each one who did this hada look as if she could honestly say: “Tcould sing that if I saw fit""—and the choir sang on. But when there came a note, a measure or a bar with which all were familiar, what a grand volume of music burst forth. It didn't happen this way many times, because the paid singers were supposed to do the greater part of the work, And the others were willing. At one point, after a breathing spell, or a rest, as musicians say—the tenor started alone. He didn’t mean to. But by this break the deacons discovered that he was in the game and earning his salary, The others caught him at the first quarter, however, and away they went again, neck and neck. Before they finished, several had changed places. Sometimes ‘ Abide” was ahead, and sometimes “* Lord," but on the whole it was a pretty even thing. Then the minister—he drew a salary, also—read something out of the Bible, after which—as they say in the newspapers—'‘ there was another well-rendered selection by the choir.” This spasm was a tenor solo with chorus accompaniment. he of the long neck got in his deadly work, the salaried soloist was happy. When the huddling had ceased the soloist stepped a trifle to the front and. with the confidence born of a man who stands pat on four aces, gave a majestic sweep of his head toward the organist. He said nothing, but the movement implied, ‘' Let ‘er go, Gallagher,” Gallagher was on deck, and after getting his patent-leather shoes well- braced on the sub-bass pedals, he knotted together a few chords, and the soloist was off, His selection was—that is, verbatim : “Ge-yide me, ge-yide me, ge-yide me, O-, Thor-or gra-ut Jaw-aw-hars-vah, Pi-il-grum thraw-aw this baw-aw-raw un larnd.” This was when The audience faced the choir, and And he sang other things. He was away up in G. He diminuendoed, struck a cantable movement, up over a crescendo, tackled a second ending by mistake—but it went—caug his second wind on a moderato, signified his desire for a raise in salary on a trill, did some brilliant work on a maestoso, reached high C with ease, down into the bass clef and climbed again, quavered and held, did sixteen n by the bandful—payable on demand—waltzed along a minor passage, gracefully turned the dal segno, skipped a chromatic run, did the con expressione act worthy of a De Reszke, poured forth volumes on a measure hold, broke the center of an andante passage for three yards, retarded to beat the band, came near geiting applause on a cadenza, took a six-barred triplet without turning a hair—then sat down. Between whiles the chorus had been singing something else. The notes bumped against the oiled natural food rafters—it was a modern church— ricochetted over the memorial windows, clung lovingly to the new $2co chande- lier, floated along the ridgepole, patted the bald-headed deacons fondly and finally died away in a bunch of contribution boxes in the corner. Then the minister preached.—Boston Herald. Palmer Fabric makes a Tire Elastic, Easy Riding and Fast (taking less strength to s They are Durable, ranteed and Easy to id. They are erenive, and only found on High-Grade Wheels, FR ee Palmer Pneumatic Tire Co., « Chicago, Ill. acts About Pneumatic Tires mailed on request. “Ball-Bearing” Bicycle Shoe ARE SOLD IN; )) NEW ‘YORK CITY by E.C:Burt & 70 W.23d-st. Brill Bros., 275 Broadway; 47 Cortl’dt-st.; 14th-st. and 6th-av. A. Simon, 603 Broadway. A Alexander, 6th-av. & 23d-st. A. Raymond & Co., 131 Ful- ton-stey Hilton, oy Hughes & oo” Co., Bdway & A. Smith, 252 W. 25th St. ) BROOKLYN by A.G. Brown, 420 Bedford-av. E.C. Burt & Co., 446 Fulton-st. 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