a person to play it. And, the decision
being thus left to the multitude, the most feasible plan that was
suggested was that all should go, on an appointed day, to the
church, and should then listen to the playing of the various
candidates.

There were, in all, nearly a score of aspiring musicians in and near
the town; and each of these, hoping for a favorable decision for
himself, gave no end of little suppers and parties, so that the
influential ones among the townsmen fared sumptuously from all.

But out of the entire number there were two, between whom the choice
really lay. These were Baptiste Lacombe and Raoul Tegot.

The former of these had lived in the town only five years. He had
come from Bruges, so he said; and although he astonished everybody
by his skill, he had not been liked from the first. He was very
reserved and parsimonious, and his eye never met frankly the person
with whom he talked. But no harm was known of him, and he found in
Tranteigue plenty of exercise for his art.

Raoul Tegot, on the contrary, was a native of the town; and,
together with his young son, Francois, was beloved by all. He had
married one of the village maidens, and had been so inconsolable at
her death, which occurred when Francois was a baby, that he never
thought more of marriage, but devoted himself to his child and his
art.

He was certainly a very able musician, and, being so universally
liked, many people urged that a public performance be dispensed
with, and that he be elected at once. But although Baptiste Lacombe
was not _liked_, his _skill_ found many admirers; and, besides, it
was flattering to the worthy countryfolk to think of sitting
solemnly in judgment at the great church; and so the proposed plan
was adhered to.

[Illustration: MONSIEUR LACOMBE AND THE ORGAN.]

Finally, the weeks of anticipation came to an end, the appointed day
was at hand, and, according to the arrangements previously made, at
nine o'clock in the forenoon the three great doors of the church
were swung open, and the throng, orderly and even dignified, entered
and filled the edifice.

The seats, which in French churches and cathedrals are movable, had
all been taken away, and the crowd quite filled the whole space. All
male inhabitants of the town who were over twenty years of age were
to vote, and each, the town officials and the poorest artisans
alike,