Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-26
starry night. She was at her balcony
n hen l naaaed sa laatced II hel nth

cyes Iuli Oh auHlratlOn. JOluoQ my
hands In supplicatiou. would have
given my life for her. But when sh,
saw me she burst into laughter; theI
l spurred my horse so fast that I fel
off and rolled on my back.
"You have hurt yourself?"
"Never mind that. The laugh OF
the young girl has wounded me 90
that l feel nothing else. Ny friend,
want to die"
"That is not possible" u
"Why not ?"
"First, because you would be lost
for killing yourself, aud then you
have still many years to live"
"Who says so?"
| "The magician"
| "What magician ?"
| Then the old servant told the boy
the history of his birth and baptism
and the family council over his cradle.
"What will become of me then ?''
said poor Esop. ......
| "Shall give you some advice ?''
continued the kindly old man. "As
you cannot enjoy the pleasures that
your brother lives for, you must seek
comfort elsewhere; your soul is pure
and good, though your body 10 de-
formed, SO if you learn the art of
charming through your soul the best
men will envy you the gift"
"Well. in my place, what would
you do ?" -
81 would learn to play the flute"
"What, blow into q bit of wood
like blind beggar? That would
MAKE my cheeks as. ugly as my back. !"
1T is, however, fine instrument" )"
But there must he Others"
"4ss; there is harp"
"What 10 that like ?"
When the old man explained, Esop
said, "Bring me harp"
The poor man was 80 sad that he
felt the need of pouring out his sor-
rows in some way, even IL he had no
human ear to listen to him. With
The instinct which God gives TO the
suffering soul. and 10 tho poet, for
poesy and pain are sisters, he soou
learned to express himself in song,
while his fDgers produced the sweet
est musical Accomplishments to tho
equally lovely veicr. His heart would
swell with the loftiest strains, while
his sapphire eyes glistened with
emotion. raf =. --..-
Grief had made him = poet, and his
love soon found voice in delicious
ballads, written in praise of the young
glrl that he had seen on the balcony.
When he had finished singing he
would allow his head to droop in his
hands, while he dreamed.
Some one Knocked at the door.
'Who sings here 2" said sweet
voice.
at is l." said poor Esop. .5.t
"And who are you 2"
81 am the elder son of the count"
"Ah poor child, will you ever for
give me ?" said the retreatiug voice.
"Who is the woman that speaks so
sadly 2" demanded the young man.
"lt is repsntant mother" replied
the old servant. ,...
"She rcpents of what ?" ~--
"Of having 80 long neglected her
ut 10 my mother, then ?"
eyes, my poor boy"
"Ah! it is q blessed dayl She
speaks to me at last" Afterward
while Esop sat dreaming at the win
dow be saw the maids of tho count
ess scattering flowers OH his usual
walk.
The next day he took his harp aud
began new song, but it was gayer
than that of the day before. One
might have thought that he was
basking in his mothers smiles. Scarce
ly had he finished his song when
some one knocked at the door.
"Who is there ?" he asked.
III, your BROTHER" replied . cross
voice.
"And what will you 2"
II wish that you would be quiet.
My lady-love is here. and your songs
will annoy her." Having said this,
my Lord Ph9bus returned to the
grand salon where his father and
mother, and the Lady Angelique,
waited him.
"Where have you been z" said the |
young girl, poutingly.
81 have been to silence the fellow
who was singing"
"Why have you done that ?''
because | thought the noise would |
snnoy you."
"On the contrary, 1 like it very
much: 1t is rsvishing. Can you not
ing like that 2" -
NO. why 6hOOl0 (" E.
because l am determined will
Tot marry you until you cam"
Ph9bus did not know what to do,
or 1t was simply impossible for him
o put together'two ideas in a song.
" to sing a single note. Always
linking OF his body, he had quite
orgotten his mind. He was as beau.
lful as peacock, and as stupid as q
,oosc.
All this time Esop was in tears, for
was very hard that the moment lie
'egan to feel some pleasure in sing.
ng this brother should command him
refrain from il. Ph9bus Knocked
gain at the door.
"Who is it 2" said Esop.
1T Is l, PhGbus, your brother"
what do you want Of me, now
hat YOU call me brother for the first
ime 2"
81 am come to ask favor" !,
"Emter.'
Phgbus shut the door. and though
. had come to demand a service of
Is brother, he could not help laugh.
ng AZ the sad Look of the hunchback.
"What can l do for you ?" said Esop
emily.
IL want you TO teach me to sing the
ong that YOU have just finished"
The one that you forbade 2"
Yes" said Phebus blushing.
"Why do you want to know lt?"
because the lady Of my love will
OF marry me until / can sing az Won I
o."
And who is this lady ?" II
"Her name is Angelique." q
"Hew. does she live in the chateau
lat l can see from the windoW?"
eyes,. '
'Ihcn she is the young girl who d
ughed the other day, as [ passed Il
lder the balcony ?'
"4es, [ was there"
land you did not beg her to desist o
ughing at your brother? ?" &
No, indeed; laughed with her, z
'u looked so droll in your fine clothes y
lth that hump on your back.' G
And you really want to learn nv Il
ng ?'' d
"And why not ?" D
because it is only the unhappy il
at sing as 1 do" c,
Good gracious. Idon't want to paw al
at price for your songs"
but think. If you wish to sing
.e me, l must give you my lump.
is my music box"
mo. thanks, l would be too uplv - PC
sought Angelique aud told Ia
r OF the hard conditions thot h;e | -;