The Press., 1898-12-22

one. And you've walked and walked all
round the world, but at last you will walk
across this common, and - she'll catch
you
Davy threw back his head and laughed
"a genuine boys laugh-sweet to hear.
Draxy and the baroness were great fun
always, but the last noJion struck him as
more droll than usual and quite beguiled
him from the trouble that lay at his heart,
till they reached Music Hall place and
turned into the court
Here was hallowed ground The very
paving stones were like old friends to
Davy, but at sight of them down sank his
head again, and his eyes clouded with
desperate look that was pitiful to see,
Those were the days before the great
city conservatory had gathered under one
ample roof that mass of musical life
students, teachers, directors and what
not-which now constitutes little world
within four walls.
Then most of the young music study
ing population was dispersed about the
homes and lodgings of the city, the dill
gence of eternal piano playing announce
ing their whereabouts, and the old guar
terlies'' in the Music hall serving to dis
play the results thereof to the interested
public.
The old storm doors croaked as they
swung in, bright fire in the darkness of
the lower hall winked cheerily through
the gloom, and from the gaslighted win
dow of the box Office somebody leaned out
to say pleasantly
"Ah, Herr Won Weber That your Go
ing up to practice?''
Davy took off his hat in an absentmind
ed way and answered drearily enough:
Eyes, sir. Is Schwartzs time up YETI
Schwartz Just left. Coast is clear
Going to astonish us this time, eh, Davy?"
Davy's features quivered. II am Il ore
likely to break down altogether, he said,
turning away quickly with Draxy and
dashing his sleeve across his eyes as soon
as they were out of sight on the landing
who's that?" demanded the gruff voice
of a sharp old gentleman who had been
talking to the pleasant man in the box
office
THAT, sir? That boy is genius.
"Humph genius Well. what's the
other name you called?'
FOh," with a laugh, I'VE call him that
because he looks so much like the pictures
of Weber. And there are more than my
self who think that there is i'll that young
man the making of such another com
poser. "
well, if there is he'll make it,
mo chance now,' said the other
'They have just lost their father The
mother is an invalid, and there is brood
of young shavers to look out for. Poor
chap has got to drop music now and roll
up his sleeves to support the family This
is to be his last concert Mighty shame
tool
In the old Music hall an upper light en-
tering through hidden windows far aloft
CLEANS softly over balcony and niche and
bust and flashes back from the glass panels
of the gallery doors, girdling the walls
twice round
But it was not that pearly brightness
far and soft or the fine cheerful plan and
lines of beauty in the noble hall that gave
it character of old and breathed the spell,
long vanished now, but haunting us for.
ever with it's loss
A mighty presence then abode therein
that filled the eye and mind and made
very sanctuary of the place.
1t was the majesty of the great organ,
looming from stage TO dome like black
cliff with tbundery gloom about It's head
and all it's dusky heights and dim recesses
filled with cathedraLshade.
How solemnly that hush and shadow
fell on that brooding statue of Beethoven,
standing dark sentinel, before the organ
mouth
Davy uncovered his head reKerently as
he passed under the grave face of the great
master, and Qraxy, whose little boot heels
soon came clicking over the stage, cast one
furtive glance up toward the statue and
then skipped behind the pedestal in a
great hurry, trotting up step or two to.
ward the organ mouth and cuddling into
familiar nook out of Davy's way.
"Oh, Davy' she crooned, with little
shiver, ''he's as bad as the baroness"
''Who is?'' said Davy absently, unrolling
his music on a projection of the pedestal.
"Ughl That old black Beethoven, ali
wrapped up in his cloak and scowling and
listening and thinking awayP
pavy looked over at her and smiled
Then he gazed up with love and visit
fulness into the bending face above him.
It made a touching picture, the dark
master on the pedestal, immortal, pulse
less in bronze, the beautiful lad at his
feet, ambitious. desperate, in living flesh
and youth
'.Dayy," whispered Draxy from her
shadowy nook, let's play this is dark
cavern, and the banks of organ keys are
the dragon teeth gnashing at me. am
princess chained to the wall, and you
must come in with your sword and save
me.
''I'll come and make the dragon sing to
you instead" said Davy, going to the
organ seat.
He ran his fingers down the keys There
was soft rattle of ivory, but no other
sound
Haven't got the stfam on, have they2'
Said Draxy, proud of knowing all about
the domestic habits of the great organ
Davy, reaching to press a knob that rang
bell far in some lower region, smiled
down at her bright little face, and then
sat waiting dreamily "Do you know,
she prattled on, when I'm out in the au-
dience, at concerts, and the hall is full of
people, and the gas is lighted, and the or
gan looks SO black and big, never can
believe l am SO we'll acquainted with it
and dare to cuddle up like this against
it,
stShi said Davv catching the first
whisper of a beloved, inspiring sound
the wind beginning to fill the giant pipes.
1t comes in a low, murmudng rush, as
If from underground, now nearer, nearer,
louder, faster, till it swells and rises with
q painting sweep up the huge boles in
that great forest of brazen pipes and fills
their mighty sides as If to burst them
Davy sat mOtionless and rapt, lost in
the great eeOlian roar. Hear it breathe!''
he whispered; thear it breathe !"
His fingers ripple down across the
keys. Far above, in some high tree top of
the p'srest pipes, a voice awakes in answer
to hi touch that fingers on the ear awhile,
SO cot, so sweet, SO pleading, and shen
sinks again into it's nest of silence,
Now, farther still and hidden in dome
deeper recess Of the organ forest, another
voice awakes
It calls back to the pleading voice with
joy and courage.
Then another and another wakes and
sings, and soon the place is full of music
and fragrance and beauty, and the tree
tops shake it out upon the air, like dewy
drops
Now the echoes, murmuring the last
cadence over and over, to get it by heart
die away themselves, and all is still