The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-08-27

The sersnade.
One day a man. who had pictures 10
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. can't We have one. mammal"
they plead so their mother told them
they could choose the one they liked
best and hang Il up In their room after
they had looked AZ 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 AZ last
Fred. the eldest. decided that one
called the "seronade" was much the
finest Il represented a garden hne
house and a balcony In the garden
were flowers OF all colors. and a grea,
yellow moon made everything a. bright
as day. and beneath the balcony stood
a 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 rufies Al his neck and
about his wrists His big eyes were
fixed upon the curtains Of a window
Waich 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 10 look n Il.
Il think" said Frank. that Il Il the
most beautiful picture that ever was
Don't you. mamma"
Il believe Il IL the brightest ever
Jaw" said the mother.
What does 'seronade' mean9"
asked Fred.
why. the thing he Is playing on.
Of course" said Louis.
INC" said mamma THAT u a man
dolin. when gentlemen admired ladies
In those days they often went at night
after every one was In bed 10 sing be-
meath their windows. They chose OF
wrote some song that told the lady how
they admired her. how pretty and nlcs
she was. and they often sang 20 a
guitar or mandolin Sometimes they
dld not sing. but played the flute Thl,
gentleman Ia sercnadlng the lady who
4 hiding behind the curtain. and this
Is probably what he Is singing" and
she read the verses below the picture
why does the lady hide herselff
asked Frank.
We'll" said Mrs. Chester. - va,
considered proper. but. you see. sh'
h going 10 throw the singer a rose
which will show him that she likes the
serenade."
That's bis bike suit. isn't ~" asked
Louis. Where has he left bis hlkeg'
bicycles were not invented wheI
men dressed like that" said Mrs. Ches
ter.
Fred read the verses again.
Il think everything must have beef
prettler then than II Il now" he said
Il often think 20 myself" said MI
mother Men will probably neyc
dress like that again. but there coull
be a little more romance In the worll
II people chose"
Il know what you mean. mamma.
said Fred. After awhile he sat dow
on the lower step Of the porch and be
gan to write on his slate. and prett,
soon he called Louis and Frank TO him
and they all whispered together Thel
mother saw they were talking owe
some little secret.
After awhile papa came home 10 tea
and then they all sat about the tabl
. until abou, half-past nine O'Clock.
As they were very early people the
all went upstairs about that time an
Al ten the house was dark and every
one In bed or supposed 90 be-.
However. Just az the clock struel
Mr.. Chester lifted his head TO listen
Dear me. what can that bel"
, asked.
There was a sound of something M
unlike Chinese music under the win
, dow. a queer whlsulng and a loud tar
ping and some laughing Mrs Chest,
jumped up. ran 10 the window an
looked out The moon shone brlgt
. and No up the small lawn perfectly, an
. standing upon Il she saw three lliil
figures In knlckorbockors. wearin
sashos around their waists, plume
hats and making the music Of whic
We have spoken. Just az she locke
out one OF them began 20 sing.
what on earth h ~" asked palh
"Be quiet. l am being serenaghd
said mamma.
The three funny figures were Ere
and Louis and Frank. with ribboI
from the parlor window curtains abo'
their waists and feathers from u
l. large duster In their caps Louis vi
% playing on a comb covered with tiss'
II paper. Frank was tapping his litt
u red drum. and II was Fred who vi
4 singing. And now his mother guess
J. that what h had been writing on q
: slate was this song. which he no
\ sung 10 a tune something like BAL
> Mine:
y We have no mandolin, MAMMA. dea
, No flute and no guitar, mamma. dea
70 But We play upon the comb
- And we beat upon the drum,
II And 20 We serenade our mamma, de'
Because We love you so. mamma, dea
And you are 20 nice, you kno'
- mamma. dear;