Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-05-08


my sake"
II will do SO, most assuredly." he re-
turned. II viii begin Tomorrow.
"By the way" continued the siren,
'syou have nexer sung for me yet"
N-n-o," stammered the troubadour,
who, if the truth were known, had no
more voice than China plaque and even
less knowledge of music.
"Well, you must sing for me, too"
"Ia am somewhat out of practice
Never mind that, n.replied the statu-
cite with an enhancing smile. " will
make all allowances for your modesty. l
know you do sing charmingly. Your
voice is so low and sweet"
"Do you really think so9" he asked,
half convinced against his judgment, SO
foolish is lover, and oh! how credu-
lous
81 know it," she replied emphatically.
eff you were only on the operate stage
you would be one of the greatest singers
in the world, and managers would pay
you three thousand dollars night every
night In the week. Ladies would 90
wild over you and you would be deluged
with bouquets and love letters. I am glad
though that you are not on the stage.
You would never think of poor little me
| if you were so great"
The honest troubadour fastened to as
sure her that she was mistaken-alto
gether mistakcn-in her opinion, and the
discussion on this point became so COM
prehcnsivc that the clock struck midnight
before she admitted herself satisfied and
/ the love-sick swain was able to close his
eyes in sleep for the night. The next
morning he awoke bright and early, and
| looking over in the direction of his wife
he called to mind the ambition that had
/ been aroused in him the evening be-
/ fore
" She never saw anything great in me, ;"
he observed to himself She never
asked me TO sing. She never thought
was great musician. And yet am. I
have been hiding my talent under a
bushel all my life. Oh! if had only
married this charming and discerning
statuette how happy we should be, and
how great"
It was fortunate for his little wife that
this cruel speech was not heard. She
had trouble enough already, and as she
slept tears rolled down her cheeks. She
sorrowed even in her dreams. After the
housemaid had finished the mornings
work the lovers were once more left
alone
"Now," thought the troubadour, I" ]
shall surprise her by singing" So with
little preliminary cough he cleared bis
throat and began.
"Stop that noise" shouted the clock
before he had sung half bar, and the
other ornaments ratified on their feet in
strong approval of the rebuke.
The troubadour turned his face to his
sweetheart, but in her superior wisdom
she was looking in the other direction as
! unconcerned as though she had not been
the cause of his discontinue
''Well," observed the troubadour, still
unabashed, Il have zone other accom-.
plishment remaining. l shall play on the
guitar" With strong effort he raised
his hand and brought the instrument in.
to the proper position, but the strain was
too much for his brittle composition, and
the arm snapped in twain and dropped te
the floor.
That's right" said the clock; ''tha
serves you right for being such a goose,
! and the other ornaments murmured theil
appreciation.
The poor troubadour turned to hi,
sweetheart for sympathy.
You don't dcspise me, too" he cx
claimed.
"No,' she replied, with heartles
little laugh, Il always pity fools"
Il pity you, too" came a voice from
the other side of the clock; land | low,
you. dear, just the same as | used to-
The troubadour looked up in surprise
1t was his wife who had spoken.
Yes" continued the little woman
her face radiant with love, Il love you
and when the housemaid comes in vol
will be mendcd, and will be Just as cooe
as new. Then we will be together again
and know we will be Just rs happy a
we once were, won't we. dear2n
The trouhadour was TOO ashamed to re
ply, but from the look OF gratitude whicl
came into his face il is highly probabl
that she spoke the truth; at least let Il
trust she did.-Btnjamis Northrop i.
Nse York Graphic
A record of SIX hundred births show
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