Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-24
A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE.

1t was Christmas eve in an eastern
city nd the citizens were to be treat
ed 10 rare opera perfol nance.
Frau Butcher climbed the last step
of the attic stairs, and found her
young ledger still sewing by the light
of feeble lamp.
''Thekla, child" she cried, "ain't
you ready yet While?' Come in
and sit down." the girl answered in
pure sWeetly spoken German. I'm
almost through" But you amt
had your supper yet" said Frau
Bucber
TIN only going to have bit of
toast and some tea. You'll have q
cup with me. won't you9 Oh yes, but
you must! Think how many cups of
coffee I've been taking with you'll Be-
sides, it's so much more coy and So
ciable than being alone"
''Ah, well, said Frau Butcher, laugh
ing softly, 1--WE don't 60 TO the opera
every night! That is what you call a
spree-eh, Thekla2"
The girl smiled back at her, but her
lips dropped slightly. She was think
ing, poor child, of the time, when the
opera was part Of her daily life. All,
how they used 10 applaud, those Ger
mans, when her father led the orches-
ira.
He had been dead three years, and
thai was eight years ago. Bua she
could see it all How-the lights, the
perfume, and the flowers, the ladies in
costly attire nodding gaily to her, the
maestro's daughter and Felix.
- a ND what these thIn0C for
anyhow" asked Frau Butcher, picking
up a little plush bag from a bright
colored pile that lay on the table.
''For opera glasses. " Thekla said,
rising suddenly and beginning to
hustle over her little supper. Il
make them for store down town.
You've no idea how well they SELL"
''So!' said Frau Bucher pleasantly.
''That is good. But why do you sit
here sewing yet a while, when there
are lots of good men, Thekla?"
ST hate menu the girl answered
fercely. 81 shall never marry any
one, Mrs. Butcher"
''That's ali foolishness, child. You're
young yet while; bat every girl has
q lover some time"
GIVE had mine-with other evils
long ago"
CA he didn't turn out right?'
cried Frau Butcher.
Thekla shook her head
"Well, wellp
cit was long ago-in Berlin" she
said; ''long before nay father fell i'll,
publication of his operas robbed him
of the copyright. It was long before
we thought of emigrating to America.
My father was famous then, and max
ing money fast. ;"
"And the young fellow" Frau
Bucher pursued. He didn't steal,
did hes"
ooh. nop the girl answered bitter
". "He did nothing worse than play
me false. He deserted me, without a
word, in the hour of my greatest
need left sly father, whom he called
his best friend, to die in want IN q
foreign country; and he was rich, too.
I did not want his charity, but"
She burst into tears. and Frau
Bucher leaned over to pat her on the
shoulder.
''There, there" she said soothingly,
''don't cry, child! Don't think about
those things. What's the use9 Think
about the opera. Won't we two be-
grand sitting there like fine ladies to
night-eh, ThekIa2"
at is my fathers OPERA" the CIR
said, drying her tears, and lifting hel
head proudly. He wrote it, Mrs
Bucher-every note; and oh, there
are such lovely chorusesl First, there:
a lot of soldiers, you know"
In few moments she was deep III
he plot of the opera giving the airs
t she went along, till Frau Rucher
cried:
"Why you know it already"
ST know every note of it, Thekls
said, pushing her toast aside barely
tasted land ! love it all. Tonight
shall hear IL again for the first time
In six years.
But aren't you going to eat any
thipe?"
mo; I am not husgry. Come, W,
must be going. The people are crowd
ing in the gallery" she said with ;
faint smile.
She was wondering what that gay
audience would do if they were sud
denly informed that the daughter O