MERRY MUSICIANS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 34, 17 December 1943, Page 3

MERRY MUSICIANS

A CHRISTMAS STORY

mind my father telling me it used to be an orchestra as jDlayed of a Sunday in this very church not a hundred j'cars agone." said the Sexton. "There, was fiddle, flute, bassoon and 'cello in them days. Now the self same old bassoon the Vicar has up on his study wall, and, its worth casting your eye over,, though the wind comes out of the worn holes 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 rose-bower-ed cottage and into the crowded parlour. From a cupboard the Sexton drew out an antiquated violiacello in a green baize bag. He handed it to me with twinkling eyes.

"No, kindly don't tune it u;>„ sir, if you don't mind," he said. "It isn't as strong as it used to be. You see, it met with an accident as you may read for yourself, and since, then nobody has felt sure enough of it to play it much, though it was old Daddy Love as put it together again, and he was as clever an old 'un with his fingers as ever lived. 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."

1 took the 'cello, to the window and peered into its inward parts. Fasted to the back was this Inscription written in faded ink and in an oklfashioned hand. Taken from the Chronicle, January 26, 1832, and put. in here by me when 1 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 musicians 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 were ko much appreciated by several substantial farmers and their families in the village that they were freely entertained in several "houses beiore they set out to return about 9.30 p.m. It was then dark, though a fine night. Lt is said

that the four musicians cheered their way 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 rccent rain and the passage, Avhieh would have been difficult in any case at that time of night, was made, more difficult lor the 'cello player, encumbered as he was by the burden of his instrument,, a lanthorn, etcetera. He started the crossing but, alas —he had .scarcely reached the middle when he slipped on one of the stones. St 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 reaU ised what had befallen their com-* rade. but the resounding explosion made by the 'cello Avhen 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 of the 'cello which was carried home a bagful of wet fragments. At the suggestion of tho Vicar the. four musicians have agreed to club together to provide the parish with a new instrument.

When I had finished reading £ found the Sexton siliently shaking with laughter beside me, ;

''The best bit of the. lot is now to be told," lie 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 tracc it and come by it for the parish. He doesn't know that I got the very article from a grandson of old Abel Cadwallader.: You being a stranger hereabouts I don't mind letting you know as I've got it, long as you don't tell the V'icar."

The Sexton stroked the instrument lovingly., and, added: "This thing is worth a bit to me, as many a stranger has given me half a crown for the pleasure of looking at it.