The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-12-21
UNDER THE Bust
Or BEETHOVEN.

s VT DCLlr1UulN. &
1t WAS bright weather-oold and clear
as a jewel.
The sparkling promise of "A perfect
Christmastide was In the air, and the old
mall on the big common clicked and pat
tered to the tread of guy crowds crossing
either way, all winter rosy, bundled ladon
and bright eyed with exercise,
Joyous excitement tingled In the frosty
wind, that with keen rush swept the
baro branches overhead and buffeted tho
skirts of laughing girls. who oamo on,
leaning merrily against 1t and passed In
bright whirl of pettlooats, with little
shrieks OF fun. One group of these, n
knot of pretty schoolgirls with their
skates, bound for tho public garden, jos
tied against tall lad with small maiden
at his side and crowded them quito off
the walk with little ceremony
The only wonder is thoy did not crowd
them out of notice. too and out of this
story Mt the same time for plain, shabby
littlo mouse was Draxy, trotting along at
her brothers. side.
Those rosy girls, sweeping by in their
bright gowns and plush and furs, looked
so bewltohing and so brilliant near her
you could hardly help wishing the story
to be about them instead.
There were no fine feathers about Davy,
either, poor lad--poor bonny Davy In his
throadbare clothes
Walking along bohind him, you would
haVA NOT how faHaI and thin hia coat
WINS, and perhaps you would have smiled
at tho great patch on tho elbow of tho
sleeve his music WAS tucked under. But
had you como tho other way and met my
Days face, believe mo, you would never
think OF patches or of faded clothes, for
there was something In that beautiful
dark eye and brave, clear brow. % prince
might envy him.
fear he would not thank me, though,
s0a StioVssal asspia nifti1 20 s.fs~ S1-Se iflt4'
whom his head was dropping and the
brown eyes were heavy with u mist that
almost gathered into drops.
"Davy," chirped Draxy at his elbow,
oh, do you SEQ what fun tho boys nro
having playing football down on the pa
rade groundY'
Davy cast II heavy glnnoo toward tho
lively youths but could not muster
word or smile to please her
Don't look 10 awful, Davy, pleaded
tho little girl Besides, here comes that
Ernest Maxwell, and no sees you.
Up went Davy's head at that, and his
eyes measured tho approaching figure
stoadily.
Ernest Maxwell carried some music I'M
der his arm too 1t WAS by the same divine
composer IN Dnvy's No sweetor because
IL had such an expensive binding / am
sure Neither was Ernest Maxwell him
self, any grandor because of his own OK
pensive binding.
But he seemed to think that no was,
and he gave Davy IA very patronizlng nod
ns he passed.
No use, Draxyi" burst out Dayy, as
soon as they were out of hearing, - don't
see any justice In It, and can't bear IT,
There's that snob, Maxwell-his father IL
just coaxinR him, brlbing him, to go TO
Germany and study. Sohwarz told me So
In the class yesterday. "
ooh, my poor Dayyl And you've got
to give up your music and go to work In
that horrid old place.
:" 'Tisn't thati / don't think I'd be
mean enough TO bcgrudRo another fellow
his luck. But-oh, how can | stand Ill
The noodle doesn't want to go, and won't
That why don't get TIP
Draxy looked very sorry, but she could
think Of nothing comforting to say just
then, SO she only crcpt II little nearer to
his side and cast her eyes around In quest
OF cheer
There behind tho iron fence. was tho
old cemetery with its mounds and tombs,
lying 30 still and cold I'm the winter sun
light.
Hero and yonder, on the soldiers
graves, still waved Soma drabbled rem
nant Of tho little flags placed there, long
months before, amid tho flowers and tho
tender grass Of spring
Draxys eyes grow large and solemn as
she looked, and it occurred to her, In
como dismal association of ideas, to say
dnrkly "Oh, Davy Did you know-they
say--somo Of the tombs 20 under this
mall and there arc people buried down
below these flagstones we are walking
onr'
Dear little Draxyl All her efforts to DO
cheerful had failed to gain the least re-
spouse from Davy. But something about
this gloomy question and her saucer eyes
and hollow tone brought a quick smile
and fash Of fun into his face.
Yes have heard it, he said, looking
down at tho little face beside him with n
loving and amused expression.
But presently he added In bitter tone.
What thenY IL Is no worse to be lying
underneath tho stones than to walk on
above them, all your hopes gone, ambi-
ton crushed out Of you.
His voice quiyered and broke Draxy
stole her little hand In his, and they kept
on again In doleful silence.
"Drax," said he presently in tone Of
mischief that she knew full well
What" she responded eagerly.
Here is the baroness, " said Davy.
oh, my gracious Oh, Dayy, please
turn off and walk the rest OF the way on
fremont street. can't go by that awful
~ .vnynan No I