Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-06-13
THE SINGER MOTHER.

called Ambition
''6ood-morrow,1 quoth Death, let us
journey time together Both of Us
are hale fellows; let MS henceforth DO
travelling companions.
Now Ambition is one Of the most
easily caioled persons in the world. The
soft words of Death fiattered him So
Death and Ambition set out together,
hand in hand.
After having come into a great city,
they were walking in fine street when
they beheld at the window of a certain
house a lady who was named Griselda
She was sitting at the window, fondling
in her lap her child, beautiful little
infant that held out his dimpled arms to
the mother and prattled sweet little
things which only mother can under
stand.
What beautiful lady," said Am
bition, land what a wonderful song she
is singing to the child.
You may praise the mother as You
will, said Death, ''but it is the child
which engages my attention and absorbs
my admiration How i wish the child
were mine"
But Ambition continued to regard
Griselda with an eye of covetousness;
the song Griselda sang to her baby
seemed to exert wondrous spell over
the spirit.
Il know a way" suggested Death,
''by which we can possess ourselves of
these two-yOu of the mother and / of
the child"
Ambitions eyes sparkled. He longed
for the beautiful mother.
Tell me how may win her," said
he to Death, land you shall have the
babe"
so Death and Ambition walked in
the street and talked of Griselda and
her child.
Grisc91a was a famous singer. She
sang in the theatre of the great city,
and people came from all parts of the
world to hear her songs and join in her
praise. Such voice had never before
been heard, and Griselda's fame was
equaled only by the riches which her art
had brought her. II the height of her
career the little babe came to make her
life all the sweeter, and Griselda was in
deed very happy.
''Who is that at the door2' inquired
Charlotte, the old nurse. cit must be
somebody of consequence, for he knocks
with certain confidence only those in
authority have"
go to the door and Sec" said Gri
selda-
So Charlotte went to the door, and 10.
there was a messenger from the king,
and the messenger was accompanied by
two persons attired in royal robes.
These companions were Ambition and
Death, but they were so splendidly ar
rayed you never would have recognized
them.
docs the Lady Griselda abide herel''
asked the messenger,
she does" replied old Charlotte,
courtesying very low, for the brilliant
attire of the strangers dazzled her.
Il have Rmessage from she king, said
the messenger.
Old Charlotte could hardly believe
her ears. A message from the kingl
Never before had such an honor befallen
one in Griselda's station.
The message besought Griselda to APP
pear in the theatre that night before the
king, who knew of her wondrous voice,
but had never heard it. And with the
message came a royal gift of costly
jewels, the like of which Griselda had
never set eyes upon.
You cannot refuse, " said Ambition in
seductive voice. ''Such an opportunity
never before was accorded you and may
never again be offered. 1t is the king
for whom you are to singi'
Griselda hesitated and cast a linger-
ing look at her babe.
'Have no fear for the child" said
Death, flor will care for him while
you are gone"
So, between the insinuating advice of
Ambition and the fair promises of Death,
(Hr,ga1A, II h.
senger bore back TO the king word that
Griselda would sing for him that night.
But Ambition and Death remained as
guests in Griselda's household.
The child grew restless as the day ad-
vanced From the very moment that
Death had entered the house the little
one had seemed very changed, but Girls
elda was so busy listening to the
flattering speeches of Ambition that she
did not notice the flush on her infants
cheeks and the feverish rapidity of his
breathing.
But Death sat grimly in a corner OF
the room and never took his eyes from
the crib where the little Une lay
You shall so please the king with
your beautiful face and voice, said
Ambition, that he will confer wealth
and title on you. You will be the most
famous woman on earth; better than
that, your fame shall live always in his
tory-it shall be etc rnalr'
And Griselda smiled, for the picture
was most pleasing.
THE child's hands are hot, said old
Charlotte, the nurse, and there seems
to be strange tremOrs in his little body,
and he groans as he losses from one
side of his cradle to the Other"
GriSelda was mOInentarily alarmed,
but Ambition only laughed.
Nonsense" quoth Ambition, ""tis an
old woman's fancy. This envious old
witch would have you disappoint the
king-the king who would load you
with riches and honorsI'
so the day heightened, and Griselda
listened to the grateful batteries of Am
bition. But Death sat all the time gaz-
ing steadfastly on the little enc in the
cradle. The candles were brought, and
Griselda arrayed herself in her costliest
robes.
'T must look my best" she said, ''for
this is to be the greatest triumph of my
life"
''You are very beautiful; you will |
eaptivate the king" said Ambition.
The child is very ILL.," croaked old !
Charlotte, the nurse; The does not seem
10 be awake nor yet asleep. and there
Is a strange, hOarse rafting in his |
breathing
For shameE cried Ambition. ''See |
how the glow of health mantles his |
cheeks and how the fire of health burns /
in his eyes -"
And Griselda believed the words of |
Ambition. She did not stoop to kiss |
her little one. She called his name !
and threw him kiss, and FASTENED to |
her carriage in the street below. The |
child heard the mothers voice, raised |
his head. and stretched forth his hands |
to Griselda, but she was gone and Am |
bition had gone with her. But Death /
remained with Griselda's little one.
The theatre was more brilliant that |
night than ever before. 1t had been 1
nOised about that Griselda would sing /
for the king. and lords and ladies in l
their most imposing raiment filled tho 1
great editice TO overlooking, while in the 1
royal box sat the king himself, with the 4
queen and the princes and princesses.
1T will be a great triumph, said I
A 20 E-Ta