Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-09

us a tune on tho cornet." ----
 Fetch the cornet that Joaquin is learning to play on. Will you play to us, Don Basilio?'
 "No."
 "Bccause don't know how"
 Don't know how! Was there ever such humbug7
 "Ah he wants to be pressed"
 Como, come; we know very well that you have been a leading musician in a regimental band/k
 "Ahd that no ono could play the cornct-a- piston like you.'
 And that you played in tho royal palace in inc days of Espartcro. Come, Don Basilio, have compassion on us"
 Well, then, 1t is true have played on the cornct-a-pist have been in fact a mas tor, a specialist as they now cali it, on that instrument. But 1t is equally true that twelve years ago I savc my cornet away to poor discharged musician, and that since that time l have not played single note." r.ETEg
 "What pity.'
 "But you will have to play this evening""
 Remember, grandpapa, that is my birth day."
 "Bravo llere is the cornet.'
 "Yes; what tune shall we have7"
 "A valse
 "No: polka.''
 
 "Yes yes; ;s flndango, tho national dance."
 'l am very sorry, my dear children, but cannot play" "What you who are so amiable?' And always so obliging."
 'What! not when your grandchild begs you.' "And your niece, tOo?" Leave off, please, in heavens name. have told you that cannot play" "Why cannot yOuY' "D~,a,lse do not remember how, and be- cause I have also sworn never to try to learn as;,;in." '"To whom did you swear this2" "To myself, to the dead, and to your poor mol"r my child.' All the surrounding faces lengthed on hear ing this. "Ah! if you only knew at what @ cost learned to play the cornet," added the old I mau.
 "A story! d storyr' exclaimed the young people. "Tcll us the story.'
 "Well, yes," said Don Basilio; cit is story. Listen, and you shall judge for yourself whether I can or cannot play the cornet.' And seating himself under a tree, sur- ! rounded by eager and smiling young people, l he told the story of his lessons in music. It is seventeen years since, he began, that | l los and Queon Isabella were contending for the crown, and tho Spaniards, divided into two parties, split their btood in the fratricidal | struggle. had friend named Ramon Gamez, a lieu- | tenant in the same rife battalion as myself. Wo had been educated together had quilted college together, fought side by side, and 1 wished to die together for liberty. He was even 8 Aore ardent Liberal than l, or any one else in the army. But a certain injustice shown by our com- | mander to Kumon, one of those abuses of authority which disgust q man with the most 1 honorable career, an act of tyranny, in short, l inspired tho lieutenant with the desire to l leave the ranks of his fellow-soldiers and the friend pFep:rcd to abandon his friend the Liberal to go over to the Carlists, while the subaltern was bent upon staying his colonel Ramon was not one to swallow insults, or to put up with injuries" Neither my threats nor prayers could divert him from his purpose He had made up his mind. He would ex- change the rihoman's shako for the Carlist cap, hating tho Carlist cause though'he did. At that time we were in tho Principality about three leagues from the enemy's forces It was the night on which Ramon was to de- sert, q cold, wet, gloomy night, the eve of a battle. At midnight he entered my quarters l where was asleep. l "Baslio," he murmured in my ear
 "Who is thereT' asked, starting up. "It is I. Farewellr' 1 "Y Y,u are going then2"
 Yes; adieuP' And taking meby the hand he continued, "Listen. If as 1t is thought probable, there should be a battle tomorrow ! and we should not meet in it-"
 'I know; we are friends"
 .'Good. We will first salute, and then re- treat from one another. Ishall probably fai to-morrow, for I mean to charge though I everything until can reach and slay the col ! nel. As to yourself. Basilio, do not expose l yourself. Glory is butsmoke."
 And life naught without it." l You are right. win your majors epan
 lettes," exclaimed Ramon; "the pay is moi
 smoke. unui one has scattered 1t. Alasl that
 is ali ovsr for nc"