The Red Cloud chief., 1897-08-27
The Sercnude.

one day q man, who had pictures to
esii. came through the village where
Mr.. Chester lived. The pictures were
mounted on large squares OF paste
board edged with gilt paper and were
colored very brightly.
"Oh, cant we have one. mammal"
they plead. so their mother told them
they could choose the one they liked
best and hang II up in their room after
they had looked at IL.
The boys were a long while choosing
among such a number. for there were
landscapes and roses and kittens play
ing with balls Of cotton. but at last
Fred. he eldest. decided that one
called the "Serenade" was much the
nnest. 1t represented a garden, a fine
mouse and a balcony. In the garden
were flowers of all %coiors, and a great
yellow moon made everything as bright
az day, and beneath the balcony stood
a gentleman with immense black eyes
n curling hair. dressed in crimson
velvet coat and knee breeches. with
white silk stockings and buokled shoes
and lots OF lace rufies at his neck and
about his wrists. His big Eyes were
liked upon the curtains of a window
which opened On the balcony, and
through them was thrust a very small
white band holding a rose. Below this
picture were these words. The Sere-
made and some verses. When the
boys had paid for the picture they sat
down on the porch to look at It.
Il think.' said Frank, that II Is the
most beautiful picture that ever was.
Don't you. mamma?"
II believe It Is the brightest I ever
saw" said the mother.
What does n 'serenade' mean?"
asked Fred.
why the thing he Is playing on,
OF course" said Louis.
NO" said mamma THAT is a man.
dolin. When gentlemen admired ladies
In those days they often went at night
after every n was In bed to sing be-
meath their windows. They chose or
wrote some song that told the lady how
they admired her. how pretty and nice
she was. and they often ang to a
guitar or mandolin. Sometimes they
did not sing. but played the flute. This
gentleman Is serenading the lady who
Is hiding behind the curtain, and this
Is probably what he is singing" and
she e the verses below the picture.
why does the lady hide herself?"
asked Frank.
Well" said Mrs. Chester, 1T was
considered proper, but. you see. she
Is going to throw. the singer a rose,
which will show him that she likes the
%serenade."
That's his bike suit, isn't it," asked
Louis. Where has he left his bike?"
Bicycles were not invented when
men dressed like that" said Mrs. Ches-
ter.
Fred read the verses again.
II think everything must have been
p%rettier then than II Is now he said.
81 often think SO myself said his
mother. Men will probably never
dress like that again, but there could
be a little more romance In the world
II people chose"
II know what you mean. mamma"
said Fred. After awhile he sat down
on the lower step of the porch and be-
gan to write on his slate, and pretty
soon he called Louis and Frank to him
and they all whispered together. Their
mother saw they were talking over
some little secret.
After awhile papa came home to tea.
and then they all sat about the table
until about half-past nine O'Clock.
As they were very early people thew
all went upstairs about that time, and
at ten the house was dark and every-
one in bed or supposed to be.
However. just az the clock struck.
Mr.. Chester lifted his head to listen.
Dear me. what can that oe?" he
asked.
There was a sound Of something not
unlike Chinese music under the win
dow, a queer whistling and a loud tap
ping and some laughing. Mrs. Chester
jumped up, ran to the window and
looked out. The moon shone bright
and lit up the small lawn perfectly. and
standing upon II she saw three little
figures In knickerb0ckers, wearing
sashes around their waists, plumed
hats and making the music of which
we have spoken. Just as she looked
out n Of them began to sing.
what on earth is it?" asked papa.
t"Be cuiet, / am being serenaded."
said mamma.
The three funny figures were Fred
! and Louis and Frank. with ribbons
from tho narlor window curtaine .An,,.