Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-20
NoEL,s DREAM.

The Leslies had just moved. and
this was the children's first night In
their new home.
They say" said Frieda, "the first
dream In new house always comea
true!"
Lets all remember what we dream
and tell each other In the mornings
suggested Noel.
They thought that would be great
fun, and went quickly to bed. Az
breakfast they questioned each other
eagerly.
well" said Guy. II guess my room
was too hot, for dreamed there were
Ct lot of blankets over me and was
trying to pull them off, but there was
some one, on one side that said, Take
'em Off and. some one on the other
side, said. 'Keer ,em on and didn't
know what to do. ---..-->-...,.
If you were too, hot, must haySs
been too cold. said Frieda. FOR /
dreamed that the King of England
came to my bedside. all dressed in
his formation robe and with hot wa
ter bottle in his hand!,'
Il dreamed 1t was the day of Miss
Leigh's musicale" began Noel. Her
house was all trimmed with flowers
and ferns, and the girls were In white
dresses. and the mothers and sisters
were there. And I played my piece
SO well that all the people clapped and
cheered and waved their handker.
chiefs, and asked who was Then
Miss Leigh said, This is my most brik
liant pupil And the people whisperl
ed. Noel Is the best piano player in
this town!'"
There's no danger of that coming
true" said Freida. Its more likely
that the King of England will bring
me hot water bottle"
Noel went away greatly offended
and did not speak of his dream again
but In his heart he felt assured that ID
would come to pass.
He played we'll for little boy and
his selection for the musicale an easy
arrangement Of the Schubert .'Rosa{
munde' music, went very well indeed9
The next week Frieda and Guy
worked very hard on their pieces, but
Noel shirked disgracefully. At lasd
the important day arrived, and the oth1
ers practiced diligently all the mornJ
ing; but when Noers turn came he
just played his piece over once, and
then drummed Yankee Doodle" the|
rest Of the hour.
Miss Leigh's rooms were filed with
ferns and flowers, and the little girls
wore white dresses and gay sashes ,and|
all the mammas and big sisters and al
few small brothers were there.
Just like the dream!n said Noel tol
himself. Il am sure shall play best =
At last his turn came, and he hur3
ried to the piano, but in his eagernesa
to begin, he neglected to seat himself
carefully. The stool was rather slipj
perry, and alass his well starched ducS
trousers were slippery also, and before
he had played two lines he slipped Off
the edge Of the stool and landed on the
floor with a thump. The audiencel
laughed, and Miss Leigh picked HIM
UP and seated him again more firmly
But the accident had confused him
and half way through the second page
he came to a sticking place, hesitated
a moment, started again, hesitated
once more, and then went on triS
umphantly But, o misery and wo! a
ripple OF laughter came from the audi
ence and the little boys on the front
seat giggled and looked round to see
what Miss Leigh would do, for Noel
was playing Yankee Eoodle" In the
middle Of the "Rosamunde" music!
Poor Noel. He jumped of the stool
and ran from the room. He dashed up.
stairs and hiding In dark corner
cried bitterly. After the musicale, Miss
Leigh came to find him and to comfort
him little; she laughed merrily when
she heard the story Of the dream.
I'm going to have another musicale
soon" said she. Now Noel. you must
put In some good hard Dracticing and
try again.
yes, Miss Leigh said Noel. 'Ill
practice very hard and I'll never, nevs
or, never. believe In any kind of first
dreams in new houses again!"-L Louise
Octayian In Youths Companion