MEMORIES OF THE 



calmly remarked, "There, Henry, you — just — learn— not — to — 

 meddle — with — things." I learned it, but at the cost of being 

 joked and ridiculed by the boys all summer. 



Music was not taught in the day schools of those times, but 

 among the winter's entertainments the singing school took the 

 lead. A teacher was employed by the term of so many nights. 

 He was paid by the contributions of those who desired to keep 

 up the standard of vocal music in the community. Neighbors 

 accommodated one another with rides to and from the singing 

 school as best their means of transportation would permit. 

 While there was a large amount of fun and frolic for the young 

 people in these gatherings, they were commended and sustained 

 by all the townspeople, as their work contributed to the pleasure 

 of all and was of especial importance to the churches. A grand 

 concert was given at the close of the term, for which they had 

 much rehearsing and practice. This was always accompanied 

 by the usual squabbles of singers about who should sing the 

 solos and duets. Not being a singer or capable of making one, 

 my share in these affairs was small, and generally consisted in 

 hitching up and putting out the team, but sometimes I went 

 along with the rest and trusted luck to turn up some kind of 

 amusement for which I had taste and capacity. 



In the summer there were Sunday afternoon singing schools, 

 held simply for practice and enjoyment of the singers — a kind 

 of praise service, which greatly promoted friendship and matri- 

 mony. They met about four or five in the afternoon and wound 

 up by pairing off and each couple going their own way for their 

 regular Sunday night " sparking." 



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