The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-12-20
girl were outside the church again.

girl were OuGSlue Une cnurCn again.
why were you crying" asked Chris
tine, and the lad replied:
Il was thinking how sad it was to have
no mother. God grant you may long have
yours, little one! Do not look so sorry,
but come and let us buy your supper in
one of these shops See, i am not sad
now!" He led her into provision shop,
and not allowing her to spend her only
coin purchased ham, fruit and pastry for
her, and then, seeing that she shivered in
the cold night air, he took off his own
cloak and put it round her shoulders.
"Now will take you hop,e,'' he saiu,- ana
when they reached her door she asked
wistfully: "Will you not come in and have
supper with us, as if you were my broth
er? Mamma will be so glad!''
Maso followed her in and was welcomed
by the Widow Gudule. While they sat at
supper Maso told them of his childhood's
home in Italy, which had been Opulent,
but sad, because motherless, o1 his fathers
ruin and death and of his own wander
ings.
And so, mother, he sings. You should
hear him. The angels in heaven have not
sweeter voices,' exclaimed Christine, and
the lad, taking up his lutte, struck the
chords lightly, then began to sing, while
the mother and daughter listened with
clasped hands and fearful eyes. AS soon
as he stopped there was knock at the
door. Christine opened it fearlessly, for
there was nothing in that poor home for
robbers. Outside stood the tall man who
had been in church. He recognized the
child and smiled as he said:
"My dear, I want to speak to your
xpbo hoe i,,cf Gil,
HE is not my brother" said Christine,
surprised.
mo? Well, it does not matter. want
to see the lad who was in church with you.
Tell him Master Kriegwinckel wants him
q minute"
This man was one of the most celebrat-
ed musicians of that time, not only in
Munich, where he lived, but throughout
the music loving world. Little Christine,
however, knew nothing about him, and
thinking that the stranger merely wished
to compliment Maso upon his singing she
babe him enter. He bowed politely to the
widow and then addressed Maso, saying:
"You have beautiful voice, my lad, an
unusually fine one am an old man, but
have seldom heard such voice as yours.
You understand what you sing, too, and
you love music. You have all the markings
of great artist, but-you do not know
how to singh
''That is because I have never been
taught" said Maso sadly and humbly.
II observed that. 1t is not your fault,
and it can be remedied. How old are your"
Fifteen on Candlemas day."
Every good. have a proposition to
make you. Have you relativesp"
"None. am all alone.
"Better still. will take charge of you.
will take you back to Munich with me.
will teach you music and singing, and
In three or four years-you will see! Kings
and princes will invite you to come to
court and sing for them, and shall have
the honor of giving the world another
great musician. Perhaps you have heard
of me. I am Kriegwinckel, leader of the
choir in Munich"
Maso bowed low, for having always been
interested in musical matters, and ever on
the watch for new songs, he had heard Of
Master Kriegwinckel and had often sung
his compositions.
II would be only too happy, MASTER"
he stammered, "but I am obliged to earn
my living have nothing
''You will not need money. will treat
you as my own son, and you will earn
great deal more than your living when
have taught you music. 1t is agreed is it
nots All, it was not for nothing that I
watched you in the church, followed you
out, and after losing sight of you in the
crowd searched for you until heard your
voice through that window, but must
leave Nuremberg tonight. Come"
The boy took up his cloak and Lutte, say
ing: "Goodby, Christine! l will come
back some day. Do not forget me-"
The girl chung to his arm and whispered:
IT shall never forget you. I thought at
first that you were an angel, because you
sang like one and were as good as one. ]