THE MERRY MUSICIANS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 101, 15 December 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE MERRY MUSICIANS

A CHRISTMAS STORY

"1 mind my father Idling me it used to he ail orchestra as played of a Sunday in this very church not n hundred years agone," said the Sexton. '"There was fiddle, flute, bassoon and 'cello in them days. Noav the self same old bassoon the Vicar has up on his study wall, and it's worth easting yonr eye over, though the wind comes out of the worn hofes nowadays. As for the flute and fiddle, they are lost and gone for all I know, but the 'cello can still tell a good tale, as you shall read for yourself if you care to come along to my house." We went together to a rosc-bower-ed cottage and into the crowded parlour. From a cupboard the Sexton drew out an antiquated violincello in a green baize bag. He handed it to me with twinkling eyes.

"No, kindly don't tunc it up, sir, if you don't mind," he said. "It isn't as strong as it used to be. You see, it met Avith an accident as you may read for yourself, and since then nobody has felt sure enough of it to play it much, though it Avas old Daddy as put it together again, and he Avas as cleA r er an old 'un AA r ith his fingers as ever liA r ed. Used to stuff birds and what not, he did, to the life. However, there's the instrument, and the story is inside it if you care to look through one of them curly holes."

I took the 'cello to the win clow and peered into its inward parts. Pasted to the back was this inscription written in faded ink and in an oldfashioned hand. Taken from the Chronicle, January 26. 1832, and put In here by me when I had mended the instrument for Abel Cadwallader. Signed, John Love." I went on to read the yellowed newspaper. "An unusual incident is recorded by our reporter at C——it said. "The curate in charge at L , the Rev. Mr Slight, had invited the musi cians from C parish to provide music on the occasion of the Christmas service. Accordingly, with the vicar's permission, they walked over with their instruments to Evensong. Their services .Avere so much appreciated by several substantial farmers and their families in the village that they were freely entertained in several houses before they set out to return about 9..'50 p.m. It was then dark, though a fine night. It is said that the four musicians cheered their waj T with a few staves, and made fair progress until-they reached the ford on the lower road. Here misfortune befell them.

"The water was running fast over the stones on account of recent rain and the passage, which would have been difficult in any cas- at that time of night, was made more difficult for the 'cello player, encumbered as he Avas by the burden of his instrument, a lanlhorn, etcetera. lie started tlie crossing but, alas—he had scarcely reached the middle when lie slipped on one of the stones. It is reported that he fell on the broadest part of his back, and that he was only saved from doing himself serious hurt by landing with the parish 'cello between him and the stepping stone.

"The other musicians hardly realised what had befallen their comrade, but the resounding explosion made by the 'cello when it parted asunder attracted the attention of a cottager who was shutting up for the night, and the struggling player was rescued little the worse for his wetting. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the 'cello which was carried home a bagful of v.-pt fragments. At the suggestion of th Vicar the four musicians iiave agree 1 to club together to provide the parish with a new instrument. When I had finished reatfina, I found the Sexton silently shaking with laughter beside me. "The best bit of the lot is now to bo told," he said. "The present Vicar has the old bassoon in his possession as T said, and having heard the story of the broken 'cello, he has often said how he wished he could trace it and come by if for the paris'i. He doesn't know thai I got the very article from a grandson of old Abel Gadwallader. You being a stranger hereabouts, I don't mind letting you know as I've p.ot it. long as you don't tell the Vicar." The Sexton stroked the instrument lovingly, and added? "This thing is north a bit to me, as many a stranger lias given me half a crown for the pleasure of looking at it."