The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1901-02-22

progressed finely, and was ready to
compose simple melody to a dainty
poem his mother had written to papa
before they were married. A little
jewel of pathos and beauty he was
anxious to give the setting OF his first
melody; then on the anniversary Of his
mothers death present it to papa
He had it nearly completed, two
days more work would finish it, when
an invitation arrived from his Uncle
Walter to take trip up the Rhine.
He and his four boys were going and
wanted Lowell to make up the party.
Lowell had read and reread the legends
OF the Rhine. Professor. Hotter had
made him worship Wagner. They
were going to Bayreuth, the scene of
Wagner's great triumph, where he
first showed Europe what the emusic
OF the Future" really was. Just to
think Of seeing the Rhine, the river of
rivers, burdened with ages of rhyme,
legend, conflict and story; and the
grand old forests where the light
trickles through, touching here and
there dark pine, dropping on the Beds
OF MOSES and ferns, dancing on the
silver poplars, till it seemed as If a
song had passed through and left her
shining footsteps. OF course he must
accept-but his music? He would
lose three months of hard work. Pro
lessor Hotter expected to take his va
cation soon, and when was the melody
to be finished? What should he do:
What ought he to do? One Of his cou-
sins ran up from the city to see him
and make all necessary arrangements.
Papa said not one word.
Now was the time for Lowell to test
his strength of love for music; also his
self-control. Control, control, that
papa said was the "truest freedom. ~
Lowell and his own self must fight
it out. He'told his cousin he was very
undecided, but would know in a day
or two. Fred listened in astonish.
ment.
Papa quietly watched. II Lowell
could conquer, tt wouldshelp him all
his life.
The day after his cousin left he
walked to papa's study and said lin a
rather choked voice: "Papa, I can't
give up my music"
Papa looked with tremulous face at
his son, but merely replied: "You have
been true to your promise, Lowell,
better still, true to your highest sense
Of right"
Lowell did not wait to hear all OF
his fathers answer, but rushed ont OF
the house down to the lake and rowed
vigorously until dinner-time. For the
next day or two he was closeted with
Professor Hotter in his music room.
On the third day, the anniversary day,
his melody was finished. The notes
and words met like sunshine and dew,
Professor Hotter said, with face
beaming with pride in his pupil: "You
are my little Schubert.
The evening OF the anniversary, af-
ter the return from the beautiful "City
OF the dead" where mammals form
rested, Lowell called his father to the
music room and asked him to listen to
his first child of melody. He played
and sang it as only those can sing and
play the music born Of their own hearts.
Lowell waited with beating heart for
his fathers criticism. Hearing moth
ing be turned; his fathers head was
buried, his shoulders shaking with con-
vulsive sobs. AS Lowell approached
him he held out his arms, saving,
"Thank God for such a son! For the
first time in years I am resigned to
mamma s happiness apart from ours. :"
What followed was too sacred for the
breath of any words. The spirit of
love took from earth to heaven this
hour, and angels held it in their holy
keeping. Lowell had now no need to
ask, What is control? When in later
years he was in Germany at one Of the
finest Conservatives in Europe, and
the delights of a European city, with
arts, its music, and its gayeties tempt
ed him on every side, he turned ever
to his adored mistress, Music, and econ
troll, control" was the magic wand
that opened to him the Unreasonable
delights she bestows upon those who