Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-06-23
BRATTLEBORO VT, FRIDAY, JUNE 3d. 1876

we arc only two, my brother and myself"
"And your father is poor, my dear child ?"
said the stranger to the little girl.
"Oh, yes; very poor sir. See she said,
showing the morsels of bread, which nei-
ther she nor her brother had touched, "this
Is all the bread there was in the house.
Papa and mamma have not kept any for
themselves. Every tline that mamma gives
us our break fast and says. go and eat il in
the fields, my dear children !; il is that we
may not see that she has not any for her
self"
Poor children" said the stranger, great
ly moved. "Where do your parents lve"
"Up there on the hill, sir, in that little
cottage that you see the roof OF from here"
said Wolfgang.
"Did not that house belong TO Dusseck ?"
asked the stranger.
"a musician, like our father-yes, sir"
said the little girl.
"Poor children" repeated the stranger,
drying tear. "Tell me, when saw you
both praying what did you ask forf"
"Me sirH" said the little girl. "I asked
that might know the way TO earn some
money for my parents, so that my brother
and may not every day have to break fast
alone. Wolfgang tells me that he has
thought of way to get money, but am
afraid"
"If what Wolfgang says is true, that you
can both play so well on the piano, II is
very likely you may earn money, and 1
may be able 10 help you."
UATv hrpiLar Ia on uood a rnusician ~ eoid
the little girl, "that not only he can play at
first sight any piece that is presented to
him, bat he cOmposes pretty little pieces
besides; papa says so.'
"And what age is your brother?"
"Slx years old, sir; and am eight"
"And this child composcs already ?" ex-
claimed the stranger.
"Does that surprise your" cried Wolf
gang, laughing. Come TO our house, sir,
ahd you shall see.'
The stranger drew out his watch reflected
for a moment, aud then said, in tone half
serious, halr jesting, my dear children,
the great Nepomucene, that revered saint
Of Bohemia, orders me TO tell you to 60
home to your parents, stay at honle all day.
and before night you shall have some news.
Now go"
The stranger was retiring, but Wolf
gang took hold of his coat.
"Just one word, sir" he said, "before
you go back"
"What are you going 10 ask, brolher?"
interrupted Frederica, wishing TO hinder
her brother from speaking. He then whis-
pered something in her ear, 10 which she
replied, mo, no Wolfgang, it would be
rude do not want it,"
"What is it, my dear childf" said the
stranger.
''She wants me not TO ask you if the great
Nepomucene won't seud mamma some
dinner" said Wolfgang, so quickly that
Frederica had not time TO stop him. "He
can, l am sure, sir.'
"Without doubt, your mother shall have
it, said the stranger. but what else do
you want3 Speak out, do not be afraid p
Well, then, a new coat for papa he has
not been able 10 give his lessons some days
past, for want OF one"
"And then"
"And then new gown for mamma it
would become her so wellr'
AS that all?"
Enough, brother, enoughr r. said Fred
erica, with the delicate susceptibility of a
we'll bred child.
"Leave me alone, sister, am only going
to ask for something for Your
II do not want anything; you are asking
the gentleman for too mncb!"
Though am pleased with your sisters
modesty," said the stranger, ~ authorize
you to mention whatever you wish for"
"Well, then, what want is large house,
and servants : o that mamma shall not be
fatigued with doing the work, and then
then, that is all, 1 think r.
"Dut you have asked nothing for your
self"
"oh, there is no need, sir give papa all
that he wants, and / shall want for moth
ing"
"Charming and admirable child 7" said
the stranger. Farewell; very soon you
shall see me again."
As he uttered these words the stranger
rose, and disappeared so quickly among
the shades OF the forest, that the children
remained in surprise.
"What do you think, Wolfgang, that he
will send US some dinnerf" said Frederick,
as with her brother she took the road home.
"To be sure ~ said Wolfgang, 10 a conf
dent tone.
"As for me, am afraid the gentleman
has been making game OF u.s." said the lit
tie girl.
"Ah, we shall see about thatr replied
the little Mozart.
So soon as our two childen had re-enter-
ed their home, a woman, still young aud
neatly atlired, said sorrowfully TO them
"What, have neither of you touched your
bread?"
1--WE were not hungry, mamma" said
Frederca.
"What, then, has made you lose your ap-
petiteH"
"Why, think, mamma y said Wolfgang,
"I and my sister have seen messenger
from the great Nepomucene, whose history
papa has SO often told us!'
"Indeed tell us how that happened,
Master WolfgangH" said a good-natured
looking man, who just then entered, and
whom the two children saluted by the
name of "gOod little papa ~
"only fancy, good little papa r. said
Wolfgang; a tall, beautiful man, with a
beautiful face, who looked like king in
deed"
"And how did you know that he was a
messenger from the great Nepomucene"
inquired the maitre de chapelte.
"oh, he told me So"
"And what proofs did he give you of itr"
"What proofs THAT is what we are 60
ing to see l-he will send you a coat, and a