The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-08-24
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puzzled by his reticence, the minister's
wife chose the next day for her drive,
and placed by the side of the sensitive
organist the last of her several eligi-
| bles. This candidate was younger
handsome and more worldly than any
| lady the aspiring musician had met.
She was merry, she was pleasant, and
exerted herself to please monsieur
lie smiled freely; he was even voluble,
| but he made no sign to the astonished
Mrs. Dahl that he had any choice. In
stead his eyes kept their puzzled eX-
| preston during the whole drive.
| Mrs. Dahl requested monsieur TO call
upon her the next day, and at the hour
swept into the room with something of
indignation in her mind. The little or
ganist stood at the window and bowed
quite as gracefully to her as ever.
well, monsieur, and have you found
suitable lady among those you have
metz"
Monsieur looked at the minister's
wife as a terrified child looks at its
! tormentor.
Good madam, are doze all re ladies'
zu hat zelected for me?'' he stammered.
why, you've seen seven. That is Il
great many to select from, is it not7''
"Zey are all old ladies', ISIS it not?
ley air not fraish, zu call it; not full of
feeling"
MAN alive!" cried Mrs. Dahl, forget
ting her politeness in her veXation.
did you expect to meet young girls
to marry as if you were young and
fresh yourself? Why, man, look at
yourself! You are past middle age.
You are not attractive to young girls
Look at YOURSELF"
She pushed him in front of the long
mirror. The poor little organist looked
long and hung his head Then he sought
| for his hat, and as he took it he turned
and spoke:
Madame, zu hat been kind, vera
kind. Zu speak truly. | am NIGHT
young; Re work, re study, re poverty
has made me old, but | forgot, for re
heart has yet re youth. | may nefer
find re lady dat | seek-I grow old.
Madame, l will return to my musique.
| fOrglNe me, madame.
81 wanted to cry, and yet I never was
so provoked" said Mrs. Dahl to her
husband. rs he or is he not a fool?"
Her husband did not reply. =
In the dusk of the evening NJ. Au-
| gCste leaned from the attic window.
The magniiccnce of sunset was in his
face, the silvery moon rode high in
! the east His eyes showed that he had
wept. Now a calmness was in them,
the calmness of a resigned hope. A pile
of music lay on a chair near him. He
would soon go down to the church, and
| by the single gas jet lighted in the vast
room give his whole soul up to his god
dess, Music. She would be richer by the
! death of a hope, the rude dominion OF
| a foolish but ecstatic dream.
There was a timid knock at the door
| When he opened it there stood tall.
| slight girl there. She was very young
and very timid. On her arm hung .
| basket, from which she took ouudln
for him.
Tanks to you, Mile. Marguerite
| Could not re small brozzer come wiz re
article? Nicht zu?"
The girl colored and tears came into
her eyes.
He is sick-there was no one else.
Mother hopes the mending will suit
you and that you will have more
Yah, oui. | mean yes" said NJ. Au-
guste, gravely. Il will come to see
small brozzer tomorrow. 1t will be re
| great plazzir to me. Tell him. ! will
| go down re stairs wiz zu. mademoiselle.
Iu air one brave girl, one goot girl
They proceeded down three flights TO
the street door. In the light the or
| ganist saw the traces of tears on the
girls cheeks. His heart melted. An
other wept in sorrow, one so young and
who would, We're it not for grinding
poverty, be fair, be happy. His voice
was very gentle.
go home, my child" he said. I've
must all suffer mQoch. will not forget
to see re small 6rozzer tomorrow; if
he is in great dangair come to re church
for me zis evening. | play re organ to
ease my soul. Good night, mademoi-
selle. | will not forSet to pray for re
happiness of one so young, so sorrow-
| full"
He turned up the street, but as she
hurried away the girl smiled at him
through a very rainbow of tears. That
smile went with him, and after he
lighted the gas jet in the church gal
lery he turned to the organ and once
more played out an ecstatic. impro-
vised chant to Love, to Home, to Peace,
to his hungry hearts best wishes.--Chi-
cago TimesHerald.
Character Not Good.
In some rural districts of England
there are held annually hiring fairs,
where farmers and others attend to en-
gage servants. 1t one held in Glouces-
tershire last autumn a farmer opened
negotiations with a lad who seemed
suitable for his purpose. Various ques-
tons having been asked and answered,
the farmer inquired at last:
'Slast got character from thy last
place."
NO" replied the boy, but my old