The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1910-12-22

~\ HE young girl Ind ceased play
Ing suddenly. In the middle Of
plfrase: then she remained
moiioniess and appeared 10
be ABSORBED In reverie. while her
Fingers skinned mechanically over the
keyboard. tinaliy she uttered deep
sigh. and moment later. with a ges'
lure OF despair. she closed the old
hnrpsichord and rested upon her ell
bows with her face between her
hands
Little sister. why do you not play1
II d.ps me good 10 hear you"
The speaker was u young man with
an honest bur unusually serious coun.
tenanre Seated before table GOV
cred with little pots and brushes and
under The light OF q large lamp. be was
coloring those fantastic little animals
aud groiesqne dwarfs cut 10 wood
which are the triumph Of the Nurem
berg workshops.
You Ike 10 hear me play. my poor
Fritz" replied the girl. because you
have heard 10 one else. but ! despair
and grieye when think how far ! am
from my Ideal. Never. no. never. will
! produce with these feeble and swk
ward fingers the celestial and sublime
melody tliat sooihed and charmed me
on Christmas eve year ago."
As she spoke thus. leaning against
lhe old Instrument. the young girl re-
tanlbled the statue OF Melancholy. The
Hight OF the lamp Iliumined her classic
profile aud blond hair: her eyes pre-
scented peculiar appearance as II they
we're covered by veil: she seemed TO
be blind: In her attitude and features
there were tokens Of sorrow and resig-
nation. but In The light Of her forehead
faith and hope sb0ne with rays OF di.
vine purify and sweetness. All the sur
rounding, OF this young coupe bctok
entd poverty. even misery. but a ms
cry bravely borne. life Of toll mark ed
I by drcency mud pride
! 'hr sVshe
mAn 1T was on Christmas eve. on
jnsl such night Bs this fhaf you had
( thar adventure. an adventure that
would bring a pltIful smile to the face
Of any but poor person. and yet !
cherish asd bless II because II brought
ray OF sunshine into the dark shad'
I ows Of your life, Tell me once more,
/ dear Alice. the story OF your adren
iure. ! love to hear you In the deep
silence Of the night relate the story In
yonr slow aud gentle voice, which
seems 20 come from above. while your
fingers lightly csnass the keys Of your
old fricnd
she resumed her place before the In
strumeut and dreamIly played few
chords
~oh. yes" she said. 'rhst was q d.
vine melody Alas. ! can remember
noihlng OF II bui this one sir. but that
I ,lnlpie air Il ~ broad as the winter
sky and as deep A. the ocean. Every
lime | PLAY II the whole scene returns
70 my memory. You remember Fritz,
roo hsd taken me that Night 10 Aun,
Gertrude. who was r-ry III In her little
atile 10 the rlAir Rcemrr. and an you
had some work 10 finish you left me
there Tor several hours Sitting AZ the
side ~ the inraiid's cot. ! could bear
her breathing. and. slthough ! could
saI Ser Der I itnseined the appearance
- Der pow face yellow. wrinkied and
etnaciaIed By ase, privaticn. Illness and
Offering profcund silence reigne'
trpund me Ny babiinsl darkness 50
r~srrd 10 te deeper. heavier and rncrs
cruel than before. and trembled as
fhoaghi bon SD ard burdensoms
this NE was TO The poor and unfor.
lgnafe such ~ |
-Saddenlf some one begsn 90 play q
aAzno 10 sn adieinine room The mu
o. cpmusrnced with a soff rrwinde ilKs
DO beating q BIRDS wings 10 ~