The Afro-American advance., 1899-08-05
Wben the Beart Is Young.


fTHE yestry door OF the church of st.
John the Evangelist opened about
an hour after the Sunday morning serv-
ice and spruce figure passed slowly
down the asphalt walk to the street
pnvement. 1t was NJ. Auguste the lit
tie organist.
M. Augnste had come to determi-
nation within the past hour. The sun
ofprosperityw beginning TO shine up
I'D this middle-aged Alsatian, and he
Ielt the elation of spirit. He had
bod position as organist, he had a
rge music class, he had composed
zhccessful march, he had bank ac-
Npunt. lie would have more; he would
hare his happiness; he would marry.
practical thought came back to him
It'll the eating of his Sunday restau-
rant dinner. His pint bottle of cheap
wine stimulated him to an act
courageous. He would seek the wife
Of the minister. and ask her help to
find him a suitable mate. He had heard
that she made many matches among
the church people
in this state of mind he went to the
hbuse of the minister, DIR. Dahl, and
was announced to the wife of that gem
tieman, to her great surprise. She had
rnerely speaking acquaintance with
de spruce little organist, but she came
tp him at once, and expected to hear
fnle of woe or distress. Her surprise
may be imagined when the excited AL
fatian, in compound of bad English,
German and French, poured forth his
heart's desires, his thoughts, his hopes,
and besought her assistance in finding
him proper life companion. The
hopelesness of the task struck her at
0nce. but the earnestness of the or
Ranist gained her sympathies. She
uuestioned, she deliberated, hesitated
pd was lost. Ere an hour had passed
pc had promised him her assistance.
Il will introduce you to such ladies
~ would be suitable, you understand"
e said you must do your own court
q, etc"
-'Oh. yah, suitable" he nodded, smil-
ngly; "zat iss suit you an suit me, as
is great affaire for me you un'er-
&tand."
Mrs. Dahl watched him away in the
Erection of the park with misgivings.
*hrewd she might be, but she could not
fathom the feeling of this poor alien,
y no felt that now. at "A late day, he
might build nest and find heart
mate.
Mrs. Dahl was sympathetic wom-
an. She entered the interview in her
diary and memorandum book. On Mon
day she discussed the matter for half
hour with her husband, then prepared
list from the church record of such
widows and maidens Of uncertain years
rs she thought suitable to NJ. Auguste's
age and circumstances. The next step
pas to bri1g about meetings. She ar
BANGED some for coming church So
eial; she secured a widow as piano
pupil for him; she asked two spinsters
tD tea on a certain evening and invited
N. Auguste 10 meet them. The sew
2nth aud last candidate she would ask
y ride out with her and include the
Arganist in a drive TO a distant park.
Then monsieur would confde in her
fould take care of itself.
No fault could Mrs. Dahl find with
5nonsieur's conduct. He appeared al
he church social, obedieut 10 her hints
Is to appearance and department. He
pas soon presented to several ladies'.
y HON he treated with reverential polite
Aess, but his gaze kept wandering 10
nf 40
hughed and joked with the youths of
De Luther league and the Endeayor
efrcle.
At Mrs. Dahl's suggestion he even
eacorted one of the widows to her home.
Mnd was cordially invited 10 call upon
IL in the future. The widow pupil
WAs exceedingly kind to him, but he re-
N#rded her with curious eyes. eyes
fAat had something pathetic in them,
N the occasion of Mrs. nal.I's tea NJ
Auguste met the two maiden ladies of
#pod family upon whose virtues Mrs.
#ahl had discoursed to him the DAY
efore. One played the piano for him
Try web, the other was a paragon as
pr as housekeeping qualities were con
rned
still monsieur rewarded not Mrs.
*ahl by sign of preference. Q=te
lzxled by his reticence. the ministers
tfe chose the next day for her drive,
nd placed by the side Of the sensitive
ganist the last Of her several eilpi-
es. This candidate was younger.
ndsome and more worldly than any
A. the akr1f rfper YnuNsfsfsv, 1aa -.
Ae was merry, she vas pleasant. and
srtsd herself to please monsieur.
sEsailea freely; he was even voIuble.
Sc BE nafie no sign TO the astouishct
RS Lahl that he aad any choice. In
7rad his eyes kept their puzzled ex-
s&alon during the whe,le s4rtx@