The Contralto

Rev. Charles Maloy, C. M.
St. Joseph's Parish, Emmitsburg, Md.

Chapter 25 | Chapter 24 | Chapter 1

Emmitsburg presented a very unusual sight to the traveling man, who wended his way into its precincts that Spring. Heretofore his object had been to get his few orders as quickly as possible and shake the dust of the deserted village from his shoes, hastening to somewhere that people lived. The first welcome change coming to his notice was the morale of the Spangler. Elder was no more the drink-besodden, whining individual of former days, rehearsing his troubles to every chance acquaintance, but a clean looking, hustling manager who made his house rival in attractiveness the best hostelries in the county. His children no more haunted the bar and office, but spent their days in school, their evenings in study.

Outside the hotel our traveler met just as remarkable a transformation. Paint or limewash glistened everywhere from the running gear of buggies to the rear fences of the "Nigger Quarter." Prosperity was in evidence, too, in the cheery faces, which greeted each other in their progress up and down Main street, happiness echoed in the voices on all sides. But one thread of pathos ran through the warp and woof of joy; the assembly was no more; it had been swept away for all time by the wave of industry and the fitting up of the store for the new bank over which Peter Burket was to preside. Uncle Bennett was busy at the factory; Whitmore retired sullenly to his cigarmaking and reading of the Bible; Doc Reigle was on his spring tour of examination of cattle for tuberculosis; Brawner dozed in his office between calls to college and academy; Forman balanced receipts and expenditures from the cinematograph and cursed the lack of appreciation for art which characterized the dwellers in the mountain villages.

Center square of town ~ 1920s

The Chronicle was to the forefront with suggestion and encouragement, no small share of the work falling to the assistant editor. His energy seemed inexhaustible, though heavy circles appeared under his blue eyes, a pinched expression about his mouth, furrows on his white forehead. It was plain a fire burned internally which threw its ashes outward. His most ardent friends remarked this and one night the editor, the Rector, and Halm, who was living at the parsonage during his wife's absence, talked the matter over:

"I don't think our boy is looking just fit," said Galt.

"I have thought the same for some time," agreed the Rector.

"Is it cherchez la femme?"

"What I was going to say—" interjected Halm, "I think he is in love with Marion Tyson."

"Hush! here he is now," as a step was heard on the stair. The Professor entered the study, took a cigar, lighted it and sat down, the others watching with paternal solicitude. After a few puffs he said:

"I have just witnessed the last steps in the economic regeneration of Emmitsburg, I feel as far as I am concerned I may now sing my Nunc dimittis."

"What are the latest signs?" asked the editor.

"Israel Diminsky has opened a first-class tailoring shop in the Morris building, and a circus is billed for Fireman's Fieldt. It removes a weight of worry from my shoulders for I was contemplating adopting the method of European promotors and advertising for a genuine Hebrew to set up his establishment amongst us. Where prosperity reigns there the Hebrews gather together."

"It will be the first circus to visit this town in years," said the Rector.

"But how the traditional spirit lives!" exclaimed Harry, "the youngsters are already talking of staying up all night to go out and meet the circus that they may see the elephant pass over Flat Run bridge; I think I shall join them, the wanderlust has taken possession of me; I feel like running away with the circus."

There was a wistfulness in his tone which his laughing did not hide, and for a time his silence was marked. He blew rings of smoke in which he saw things of which his companions were not talking. The Rector at length said:

"You are not well, Harry, you had better see Dr. Brawner. "

"I was never more fit in my life, and now that the good weather is here, I shall reorganize my team and get out in the open."

"You need a trip to the city, boy," suggested the editor, "it will brush the cobwebs of winter from your brain."

The smile which greeted this declaration made the editor doubt as to whether his purpose was not fully comprehended by the younger man and none of the others felt courage enough to second him. That night a light burned long in the Professor's room, the floor echoing softly to his pacing feet. A letter left Emmitsburg next morning addressed to his old university in answer to the inquiry as to his welfare and as to whether the graduate department could be of any service in placing him in a better teaching position. He would find out what they had to offer and consider the matter. After posting it he walked into Dr. Brawner's office. He told of the Rector's fears, avowing, however, he felt neither pain nor ache, and had no temptation to indulge in stimulants. The Doctor smoked in silence except for a grunt now and then and a hasty jump as hot cinders dropped from his cigar, of local manufacture, threatening his trousers with destruction. After he ceased talking, the Doctor said:

"Been reading something funny in a medical journal; you're likely to read anything nowadays with their surgical progress; they'll be operating to extract original sin next; but what I was reading was a quotation from James the philosopher, whoever he is, says a jag is good now and then for certain temperaments; don't know but that I agree with him."

"The prescription is too severe for my use," smiled the patient, "I have tried it; the getting over is too hard on the nerves and conscience."

"I wasn't prescribing it for your case; just mentioned it to show what things they'll print in medical books. What you need is a jaunt to the metropolis, stretch your legs under the mahogany on the Great White Way; you need a spasm of life. I take one myself once a year."

"Cannot do it now, I'm too busy here."

"A few days won't hurt you, try it."

The election for school trustees was held on April 2, the hall being crowded much to the chagrin of the ring which heretofore had things all its own way. Before the meeting was called to order, Syl Stoner, the bashful, who had never before opened his mouth in public was on his feet to nominate the Professor. Carrigan apologized for his fellow workman while Eichelberg fumed that the proposed nominee was not a resident of the state, never having been registered at the county seat. When nominations were in order Seabold, Galt, and the Rector, were presented and elected in quick succession; one more hold of the Annan family at the throat of the people was broken, and the new programme was adopted, making ample provision for local holidays.

Vinny discussed the election with Harry, laughing over the humor of the proceedings and the outcome. Suddenly she said in sympathetic tone:

"You need a rest from all this bustle."

"That's a rather strange remark; I am taking the rest cure here and all my friends are bent on driving me into the turmoil of the city. Where can I find a more quiet retreat?"

"In New York."

"I shall begin to long for Forty-Second street, if you continue," and he hummed a few bars of the latest song dealing with the charms of that locality.

"I have an invitation to spend a few days with Marion and Mrs. Halm, could you not manage to be there at the same time? That would be restful."

"Miss Tyson and I are—" he paused, "yes, Miss Seabold, I shall be in New York at the time of your visit."

Meanwhile letters were passing between the girls in which on the one hand was a full account of the Professor's actions and even his thoughts as they were surmised by Vinny, on the other a never ceasing series of questions which in the nature of things contained repetitions. Miss Seabold began to excogitate a plan of which the first stroke was hinted in her invitation to him to accompany her to New York. She thought the preliminary spar-ring to the main bout, as Tom Greavy would put it, had gone far enough; never cognizant of the true relations, the task of soul-finding set by Marion, she thought the girl should be brought to a saving sense of the fitness of things. She began to lose sleep in working out her scheme.

The factory was nearing completion, Sam Topper had resigned at the College as soon as the fires were extinguished for the season, and was busy setting up the machinery. Father Flynn had berated him for leaving, but the pay of all hands at the Institution was raised again. An increase was likewise awarded at the Academy, the Professor invited to deliver a lecture, and after was voted a naive and interesting personality by the ladies. The era of good feeling had dawned for Emmitsburg, his cup of joy should have been filled to overflowing, but was not. The sun tanned his cheeks but did not iron the creases out of his brow nor thaw the ice in his laugh. Each day Vinny, observing him, composed telegrams of an alarming nature and waited.

He had taken to early morning riding as his days were too busy to allow of indulgence in his favorite pastime. Jogging down the street one morning shortly before train time, Greavy hailed him from the sidewalk, where he stood in anything but working costume, and was visibly nervous:

"I'm going to do it."

"Good! where's the girl?"

"In the city visiting her sister, she'll meet me at the depot. "

"Good luck, Tom, where do you spend the honeymoon?"

"There ain't going to be any just now, I'm coming back tonight to face the music."

As he gathered up the reins the plumber placed his hand on the horse's muzzle asking softly: "When are you going to follow suit, Professor?"

He smiled dryly as he rode away though he envied the wrestler, his ability to solve life's riddle, to take the leap in the dark; he piously prayed for his friend's success. At breakfast the Rector declared there was to be a wedding that day, which would surprise the gossips.

"How did you find it out?"

"Greavy and the girl consulted me."

"And you approve?"

"For several reasons; first, you have taught me that Greavy is an honest, good fellow; secondly, her father, the shoemaker, is a pig-headed old party and would never give his consent, and lastly, to furnish a surprise for the carpers."

"The last of which signifies?"

"We have a number of females who register the date of each marriage for future reference. They will be disappointed in this case."

"Could we only add the banishment of that spirit to our list of social reforms what happiness would be ours!" exclaimed Harry fervently.

"That would be the millennium, indeed, and as little to be expected. There is a certain pleasure for us in the misfortunes of our nearest friends."

"That's the first piece of cynicism I ever heard you utter, Governor."

"It isn't the first I've ever felt."

The editors were busy getting out the weekly paper, when Galt answered the telephone, from which he learned that Higbee and his bride would arrive in the evening. He announced the news to his assistant and they put their heads together to arrange a reception for the happy couple. The Emmitsburg Cornet Band, which recent events had endowed with a new lease of life, was requisitioned and ordered to meet the train.

Beginning at the left the men are, standing, H. M. Ashbaugh, Robert Burdner, Charles Ashbaugh, John Little, WIlliam Longennecker, Warren Gelwicks, Alem Gelwicks: Seated, C. O. Rosnesteel, Charles Gelwicks, Elmer E. Eyler, (leader), and Joseph E. Elder

In the midst of the preparations Harry demurred with:

"The lady being from Boston may consider our reception to partake of horseplay."

"The lady is from Boston, but she has elected to live in Emmitsburg, and according to the proverb: 'When in Rome, etc.' "

"We are to have a carriage for them? Order two while about it."

"Is the staff to ride?"

"On horseback, yes, I want the other carriage for a purpose I cannot divulge at present."

The band marched to the depot followed by the whole town, the editor and assistant on horses at the head of the procession. Both vehicles were trimmed with streamers; the second one giving ripe to various surmises. While the crowd waited Galt saw a great light and edging his horse over said:

"I'm wise."

"As to what?"

"Miss Tyson is coming on this train."

"Guess again."

The train arrived; out of the nearest end stepped Higbee and his bride to the cheering of the crowd and the blaring of the band in a fair rendition of the wedding march. They were ushered into the waiting carriage, while the Professor was hastening someone into the other, and was at Galt's side before ten people knew what was happening at his end of the car. The band halted in front of the Spangler, the bridal party mounted the steps, while the other carriage drove into the yard. The editor made a speech of welcome, detailing the beauties of the village, its natural and industrial advantages, and ended with congratulations to the bride, whose splendid passing of the ordeal won the plaudits of the crowd. At the finish of his speech, the Professor stepped forward, causing a renewal of the applause when the people understood their idol was to address them. Having obtained silence he too congratulated the bridal couple, predicting the greatest happiness for the new menage about to be set up in the town. Mr. Higbee, however, was not the only citizen to be the recipient of congratulations; another who had contributed in no small way to the well-being of the village, who had in particular been instrumental in preserving civic order, who was no stranger to them; was now ready to receive their best wishes. Moving back to the door at this point he took Greavy and his blushing lady on either arm, led them forward and announced: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Greavy."

Again the crowd broke loose, while on the edge of the shouters, the shoemaker peering through his thick spectacles asked Uncle Bennett what it all meant.

"Why, you're a father-in-law."

"Are they married?"

"Sure."

"Well, I'll be damned!"

"No, you won't, you'll be happy."

The bar of the Spangler was thrown open and all who wished drank to the happiness of the newlyweds. The Professor retired to his room where he read in Renan: "Fanatics alone accomplish anything, and the fanatic's chief asset is a blind faith in his cause." Tom Greavy was in the last analysis, the more real superman of the two, for he had the hardihood to take his leap in the dark, and come up smiling.

Chapter 26

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