News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-06-22
LITTLE FRITZ,
BY KATE KIRK.

Gustchen, am so tired of living
here can we not go to the country, as
we did long ago? I would like to see
the green fields and hear the birds
sing"
Little Fritz uttered the words in a
weary tone, that sounded strange COM
ing from his childish lips.
"The fields are covered with snow,
dear, and we have no money" replied
his sister, sadly.
"1 know, little mother, for you spent
it all when was sick but was think
ing we could save our money, and when
summer comes again we could go far
away from the cold, and lonely city,"
"We haven't earned enough to-day,
Fritz. am hoarse from singing, it is
almost dark, and we have hardly enough
to buy our supper.
"The people here do not care TO
listen to our music, because they have
grand concerts and theatres. No one
ever speaks kindly to us, but in the
country it is different"
Gdstchen stroked the boys cold
hands, saying cheerfuly:
Fritz, We must try to be patient
while waiting for the great day when
you will be man and play in the
orchestra, like Herr Schmidt. 1 will
go to the theatre dressed in fine clothes,
and when the audience applaud my
brother how pr oud shall feel"
"No, Gustchen /; you will be on the
stage, and when you sing the people
will cry bravo and throw flowers at
your feet"
But Frau Humler says I cannot
sing" the girl replied, with the dubious
shake of the head.
"She is cross old thing. Herr
Schmidt knows all about music, and he
says you have a beautiful voice. When
you sang for me while I was sick
often thought the angels voices must be
like yours"
This bright glimpse of an imaginary
future caused the httls musicians to for
get their present SORROWS as they wend-
ed their way to their cheerless abode,
chatting merrily.
The following morning, when they
had eaten their scanty breakfast, the
title mother said
." Fritz, it Is too cold for You to go
out to-day. / will go to Herr Rauth's
restaurant-perbaps he will allow me
to sing for the gentlemen who eat their
dinner there. will try very hard to
earn some money and come back early"
The boy looked wistfully into his
sisters face, but MADE no answer, as she
continued:
" LII you should become i'll again,
Frau Humler would send you to the
hospital, as she threatened TODD before,
and could not be there to take care of
yo3."
When the lad found himself alone, he
took his violin and sat for a couple of
hours practicing the new air he was
learning. Then he picked up a story
book and tried to read, but soon tired
of this pastime. Suddenly his pathetic
title face frightened as happy idea
flashed into his mind. Yes, he would
go out and strive to earn pennies enough
to purchase for Gustchen, one of those
delicious little tarts he saw in a shop
window the other day. He stood irreso-
Iutely for a moment, for it was his Gus
tom to obey, strictly, his sisters in
functions F; but the desire to procure a
pleasant surprise for her overcame every
scruple, and, buttoning his well worn
jacket around his slight frame, he took
his violin and went out into the cold,
pitiless storm.
Fritz had purpose before him and
paid no heed to the falling snow as he
trudged along stopping to play an air
whenever he could attract an audience,
and counting eagerly the pennies
thrown to him by the sympathetic pc
destrians who hurried by scarcely paus-
ing to glance at the tiny musician.
At last he reached the place where
the tarts were for sale. He did not
know how much they would cost, but
after gazing longingly through the
window at the tempting display of deli
cacies. he ventured in and timidly asked
for one, placing meanwhile, his hardly
earned pennies in row on the coun-
ter. He was frightened at his own
boldness, for he had never been in so
large shop before but the thought
of Gustchen's pleased surprise gave him
courage.