The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-08-19
The Serenade.

One day man. who had pictures to
sell, came through the village where
Mr.. Chester lived The pictures we're |
mounted on large squares of paste
board edged with gilt paper and were
colored very brightly.
"Oh,s can't we have one, mammal"
they plead, so their mother told them
they, could choose the one they liked
best and hang it up in their room after
they had looked at it:
The boys were long while choosing
among such number, for there were
landscapes and roses and kittens play
ing with balls of cotton, but at last
Fred, the eldest, decided that one
called the "Serenade'' was much the
finest. It represented a garden, fine
house and balcony. In the garden
were flowers Of all colors, and great
yellow moon made everything as bright
as day, and beneath the balcony stood
gentleman with immense black eyes
and curling hair, dressed in crimson
velvet coat and knee breeches, with
white silk stockings and buckled shoes
and lots OF. lace ruffles at his neck and
about his wrists. His big eyes were
fixed upon the curtains of window
which opened on the balcony, and
through them was thrust 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 it is the
most beautiful picture that ever was.
Don't you, mammal"
II believe it is the brightest I ever
saw" said the mother.
What does a eserenade' mean?'
asked Fred.
why, the thing he is playing on.
of course" said Louis.
| mo-" said mamma. THAT is a man
dolin. When gentlemen admired ladies
in those days they often went at night
after every one was in bed to sing be.
meath their windows. They chose OF
wrote some song that told the lady how
they admired her, how pretty and nice
she was, and they often sang to {
| guitar or mandolin. Sometimes the,
did not sing, but played the flute. This
gentleman is serenading the lady wht
is hiding behind the curtain, and thi
is probably what he is singing" ant
she read the verses below the picture
"Why does the lady hide herself?
asked Frank. .....
WELL" said Mrs. Chester, lit wa
| h,Yt -,
is going to throw the singer rose
which will show him that she likes tn
serenade." =.
That's his bike suit, isn't it," aske
Louis. Where has he left his bike?
bicycles were not invented !, whe
men dressed like that" said Mrs. Ches
ter. '=" .:. : .
: Fred read the verses again. .
=. 'I think everything must have bee
:. prettier then than it is now" he sale
\ 81 often think so myself" said hi
- mother. "Men will probably neve
dress like that again, but there coul
- be a little more romance in the worl
q if people chose
v II know what you mean, mamma
= said Fred After awhile he sat dow
IS on the lower step of the porch and b.
; gan to write on his slate, and prett
: soon he called Louis and Frank to hin
d and they all whispered together. The
l. mother saw they were talking ov,
y some little secret.
G, After awhile papa came home to tie
k and then they all sat about the tab
/ until about half-past nine o'clock.
t. AS they were very early people the
s, all went upstairs about that time, ar
is at ten the house was dark and ever,
q one in bed or supposed to be.
ie However, just as the clock struc
= = Mr. Chester lifted his head to listen.
- ..Dear me, what can that beg" ]
= asked.
i. There was a sound of something n
~ unlike Chinese music under the wi
: dow, queer whistling and loud ia
er ping and some laughing. Mrs. Chest
Cd jumped up, ran to the window al
st looked out. The moon shone brig
}. and lit up the small lawn perfectly, al
standing upon it she saw three litt
on figures in knickerbockers wearil
I'M sashes around their waists, plum
ly hats and making the music of viii
x we have spoken. Just. as she look
in out one Of them began to sing.
ng What on earth is it?" asked papa.
he ..Be quiet, I am being serepsaeG
)of said mamma. 8
az The three funny figures were Fr
r :. ! and Louis and Frank, with ribbo
= from the parlor window curtains abo