The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-25

Beautiful Blue Danube
beautifully"
Judith had come In from the Kitchen
where she was making Judges for the girls
to eat with their crackers and chocolate.
"Boshv answered Caroline "You know
as we'll as we do that Mr. Nittach can't
play two-step any bctter'n Tennessee
fiddler. or course his Blue Danube Is all
right. He's been playing 1t for fifty
years"
The other girls sniclsered. Carolines
folks had sent her to school in the East,
and upon her return she had introduced
the two-step. ITS the, thing" she said.
why! they don't even dance the waltz
in Chicago any more" Now she was urg-
ing the girls OF the guild to displace Mr..
Nittach, the village musician, with a
cousin Of hers who knew "all the latest
two-steps published"
But It's not right to put aside poor old
Mr.. Nittach. He's played at every one
OF our guild affairs, and specially at ev-
cry one Of our Christmas eve dances. and
he ought to play at this one." Judith per-
sisted You know, girls. he has tried
50 very hard to oblige us In everything.
He has bought the latest waltzes send
ing to Chicago for them, and he has even
tried the two-step!
eyes, tried" sneered Caroline. but
he's never succeeded"
II don't CARE said Judith, angrily.
He's a dear old man, and he's always do
ing something for us all. II 1t isn't fow-
ers for us In the summer, it's wine for
our mothers In the winter. And II we
didn't make much at our barn dances and
ice cream festivals he was always willing
to take half pay. You all know that he
taught our mothers music, ana us music.
and. her eloquence predominating,'
hope he will teach our children music!"
The girls laughed until the tears rolled
down their pretty cheeks, but they ap-
piaudcd, too: and Judith had won the
day. Mr.. Nittnch was to be asked to
play the violin at the guilds Christmas
eve dance. The girls delegated Judith and
Caroline committee to request the serv.
ices Of Mr.. Nittach for the occasion mem
toned. Caroline refused to serve. IF 1t
isn't going to be Tom" she said-Tom
was her cousin--.'why, won't have any
thing to do with inviting old Nittach--
the old Dutcliman."
But 1t will be Tom, anyhow, for he can
play the two-step. I'll fix IT," she ended.
The girls ate their crackers and fudge,
and drank their chocolate. Judith was
rather silent. She was not a little asham-
ed OF her speech. But when the girls had
gone she went into the kitchen, where
her mother sat knitting. and declared she
was glad that the girls had been so kind
to poor Mr.. Nittach. "And / know that
most OF them do love the two.step," she
told her mother, with sigh.
She went to the window and looked out.
II hope we'll have some sleigh.ng for
Christmas" she thought 1.-THE roads are
nothing but mud now. Dear me! Christ
mas Ia so near I must 60 down tomorrow
and sec Mr.. Nittach. Looks like snow
flakes, mother" she said aloud, az she
turned from the window to light the lamp.
When she arose next morning Judith
melted the frost upon the window pane
vxtk1r II ts~Ao -
glass saw that
1.-THE snow had begun in the cleaning,
And silently all the night
Had been heaping field and highway
With q mantle cold and white"
Her first thought was of Mr. Nittach.
She must get word to him. Scarcely had
breakfast been eaten than the juggling Of
bells announced the presence of the butch-
err from Oconoville.
"Well, want to tell YOU" shouted the
butcher, as he stamped into the kitchen,
"Lakefield's great place. grea-ate
place in snow storm. Might have lost
my bearings II 1t hadn't been for tho
nag"
"Oh, you keep quiet" said Mrs. Warner.
brought in. You was born and brought
up in Lakefield. and your mother afors
YOU"
That's right, auntie." he said with a
laugh. and look at Judith, land 1 hope
my children will be-"
''Pshaw!'' said Judith. getting red in the
face. "Whered you hear that?"
II was Just down to the mill. The folks
there was laughing over 1t. Thought you
was going to be an old maid, Jude?''
II am said Judith, shortly.
mot II know It," he said. Say!
How'd you like to ride over to Mr.. Nit
tach's with me now?'
well. l hadn't ought to, but it's the
only chance I'll have today, and It's bet-
ter than nothing"
Don't mention it." replied the butcher.
saroast.cally.
Leaving her mother to clear the break
fast table, and with many admonitions mot
to wash those dishes It'll 1 get back Jul
dith rode off beside the jolly butcher in
the sleigh. The village was quickly passed.
and turning his nag down little side road,
the butcher drew UP beside the musicians
gate. Mr.. Nittach was just emerging from
the door of the tiny white house He was
little, weakened fellow himself, and his
huge fur cap. and enormous red muffier
wrapped several times about his neck, and
brought under the arm, the two ends tied
behind his back, made him appear smaller
than ever. His face was smoothly shaved.
his chin prominent az that of Punch, and
his little eyes bright as the scarlet tinge
which adorned his cheeks and nose.
Hello, he said, II vas on the look-oud
for you. / am all out of fresh meat"
Who's dat init you? Judith Sherman!
Vat is dis--an elobement?" and the little
musician laughed heartily.
Judith leaped down beside him.
II won't say word until I get beside
your stove" she said saucily.
you are cold: come in. Ny! See how
your teet chatter. We must have some hot
elderberry wine; and you. too. william--it's
long ride to your shop
They entered the cozy sitting room, and
warmed themselves before the stove, while
Mr.. Nittach brought the kettle and the
sugar and wine.
This Is a barty, eh. children? Shall I
bay for you? / am practising for the
Christmas eve barty. See! I have bought
der Washington Bost two-steb You like
dat two-steb, Judith. But somehow can
not blay 1t SO fast like should. But It
gives me pleasure to please my children
The young folks looked at each other as
the old man tuned up. Each read the otn-
er's thought: Wouldn't 1t have been a
shame!