The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-27
head agaln, ana DIS eyes cIoudea mls

head again, ana his eyes cloudeu WIZ
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 "a 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
gencc of eternal piano playing announc-
ing their whereabouts, and the old quar-
terlies" in the Music hall serving TO dis
play the results thereof TO tho interested
public
The old storm doors croaked as they
swung in, bright fire in the darkness OF
tho lower hall winkod cheerily through
the gloom, and from the gaslighted win.
dow of tho box office somebody leaned out
to say pleasantly:
"Ah, Herr won Weber, That your Go
ing up to practiceY"
Davy took off his hat I'm an absentmind-
ed way and answered drearily enough:
Yes, sir. Is Schwartz's time up yeti"
Schwartz just left. Coast IL clear.
Going to astonish us this time, ELI, Davyf"
Dayy's features quiycred. II am more
likely TO break down altogether. ne 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 thats" demanded the gruff voice
of sharp old gentleman who had been
talking to tho pleasant man IN the box
Office.
THAT, sir9 That boy is genius"
"Humph 80 genius Well, what's the
other namo you oallcd?"
"Oh," with a laugh, "we call him that
because he looks 80 much like the.picturcs
of Weber. And there arc more than my
self who think TINT there is in that young
man the making Of such another COM
poser
"Woll, IL there ia he'll make &C."
"No chance now" said the other.
"They have just lost their father. The
mother Is an invalid, and there is a 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
too!"
In the old Music hall an upper light en-
tcring 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
bWlce lOunu.
But IL was not that pearly brightness
far and soft or the fine cheerful plan and
lines OF teauty in the noble hall that gavo
IL character Of old and breathed the spell,
long vanished now, but haunting us for
ever with its loss.
A mighty presence then abode therein
that filled the eye and mind and mado
very sanctuary Of the place
II was the majesty OF the great organ,
looming from stage To dome like black
cliff with thundory loom~sbout its head
and all its dusky heights and dim recesscs
filed with cathedral shade.
How solcmnly that hush and shadow
feil on that brooding statue Of beethoven,
standing, dark sentinel, before the organ
mouth
Davy uncovered his head reycrently as
he passed under the grave face Of the great
master, and Draxy, whose little boot hcols
soon came clicking over the stage, cast ono
furtive glance up toward tbs 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. Dsvyl" she crooned, with little
shiyer, "ho's as bad as the baronessi'
"Who isf" said Dasy abssntly uBroliins
his noslc on . projection Of the pedestal.