The Denver Jewish news., 1919-03-05
: A big girl

She'S your mOtler-laru she WORKS.
She's tired. Everything she means for
your good ~
It was poor consolation for the dis
appointed child.
II know l know - She choked
loyalty, with brave effort. "A violin
takes II lot of mOney--a lot of lnon-
ey-"
Morris Grcenberg pulled his derby
low down on his forehead. His hand
dropped heavily to his side.
He senscd the struggle going ON
within Debbys breast 1t was too
much repetition of his own youth not
to stir him deeply His face con-
tractcd. as it her words echoed AN old
chord of pain, long stilled. that, after
all these years, he found vibrating
within him as strong as ever.
1t hurt that Deby had to be denied
such small thing; something so
small, and still it meant 80 much to
her. The injustice of it all. \ fierce
: resentment at his circumstances flared
up within him in clamorous life.
= "Dcbby.'' His voice shook with
emotion, and his eyes We're frankly
moist. Something I'll tell you.
Something I've got for you, Just as
good as violin. Just US good - The
words broke from him jerliily.
But, remember" he continued hcsi-
tatiugly, Mamma yct--needn't- know
This moncy--is different; this money
l can do with as l like-and why
should Mamma worry"
Debby looked up. her bosom hcavihs
with rcprcssed sobs. = Her heavy eyes
met his with faint flicker of hope
in their liquid depths.
He smiled down ut her, and his
voice lowered to. Il strained whisper:
Tomorrow. from school, III take
you to the Settlement House. Ten
cents singing lesson it costs. Every
week you'll go-thc money III get from
the old fat--the scraps :. Some day
you'll be singer-ycs. Debby? les:'
Dolby caught his hand and pressed
it convulsively to her hot, thin checks.
Sobs rose in her throat, and grateful
tears rolled down her checks.
Come. Gomez he socthed hhIskily.
Upstairs we'll 90; everything will be
fine-and yet-yet we wouldn't talk
about it :"
The following afternoon. Norris
Greenbcrg, with Debby clingmg tight
ly To his hand. climbed the high stoop
OF the Settlement House. Debby's eyes
strained eagerly the brick and plaster
exterior
The Settlement House was hcmmrd
back from the street. The wide viii
dow silIs were filled with the blooms
of the built-in flower boxes.
When Dcby found herself in the
tiny office fitted in mission her heart
missed a beat. then doubled its ham
mering in her side Her grip frightened
on her fathers hand. The excitement
brought a flush to her pinched checks,
aud her sensitive mouth quivcred.
\ slender. whitc-haircd woman cit
tered the room. Debby caught her
breath cNpcctantly. Her dark eyes
brimmcd over with pride. aS her fa ailirr
in his carefully brushed serge, derby
in hand. replied in his broken English
to the questions of the head worker.
Morris Grccnbcrg's finely modelled
Jewish features would command attcn-
ton anywhere. His dccp-sct eyes were
full of fire; rs he spoke. his voice
throbbcd with eloqucncc.
Miss Brooks. the head worker, was
all sympathy. IN the warmth of her
presence, Morris Grccnbcrg responded
like an instrument in the hands Of a
mastcr player He forgot lie was Nor
ris Grrnbrrg, kosher butcher. He was
the boy whose youth was dedication
to the magic harmony. For the time
ii shrOuled with Il rainbow mist the
sordid reality of the present.
When the form application blank
WAS filled, with the assistance of Il
young WOMAN of their OWN race, Deb
by and her father were directed 10 the
music room on the opposite side of tho
/ cool corridor.
\ group of children Were gathered
about the piano, gayiy chattcrins with
the instructor II splcndidly built wonl-
tn. III dark skirt and white linen
blouse and stock tie. She was smiling
with grave Indulgence; and her long
hands buSily arranged the music be
fore her.
Dcbby felt lost in the hish-cciiinscd
COON. Accustomed to cranpcd quar-
tcrs, the vastncSs of the place seemed
to swallow her rip. The room seemed
full of nNrS and all conferred on hCf.