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THE COURIER
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IX
THE FRAULHN DOROTHY.
A Little German Story. '
The first floor of No 117 lost caste by
its cbeap restaurant; tba second was do
better for a junke and old-iron shop;
but in the third lived the Guligans who
were in politics and most respectable.
Midway between their apartments with
the famous piano, and the Shaughnes
8vb of the upper regions, came a clean
swept little landing, from whence, of aa
evening, you might hear the violin of
Herr Bauermeister weaving sunny little
melodies, and soft, homesick quarerings
-all to itself.
The Herr was not famous in those
days. He trudged the tenement stairs
with his pot of beer like the others, and
it was not yet so long ago that he play
ed bad waltzes for bread and cheese at
the variety snows that he might forget
to give thanks for his beer and saua
, ages. No one guessed as yet that he
was born for greater things than the
net of the ten thousand aliens who
make art for the native born, who can
not make it for themselves, unless, per
haps, it waa the leader of his orchestra,
or old Nick Leneeo, who played with
him of an evening, and heard the violin
when the fire was in the strings.
Surely old Leaeen knew in those
times, when he puftVd up the narrow
stairway each night, with a musical
bumping of bis big 'cello at the corners
and a prodigious amount of grunting
over the pteps between. Then the
greeting was always the same. "It
is well with thee, HanB?" and, "Ja
Wohl, Nick," and, without another
word, the two would swing iff and away
into Beethoven, or, when ihe mood was
upon them, ead and sweetly through
the "Pilgrims' Chorus," as in the old
days in the Palm Gardens, when the
chatter died away at the tables, and the
gay-clad officers grasped their scab
bards lest the swords should clink as
they walked. Lensen, the white-bearded,
who bad played beneath Stockwitz
at Frankfort, and a season at Berlin,
must have guessed, for he was the un
sparing master at these eveniogp.
"Technique! technique!'' he would cry.
"Thy great savage of a iolin will know
no laws," perhaps holding sternly in bis
heart the time when he might say,
"Thou art a musician, Hans Make
music for thyself."
Every night, when the big Velio went
bumpiDg down again, Herr Hans, like a
boy fresh from work, would send a lusty
"Hello,' to the flxir above, and rasp in
to a laughing Irish jig-time, till the
Shaughneesy's, little and big, came
tumbling down the broken stairway.
And then deep strategy: Tim Shaugh
nessy, a whispered message in his ear,
knocks on a little door across the land
ing, and would Miss Dorothy come out
to play with them? And if she would,
great were the doings; and if she would
not, "Guttn nacht," cries the tnubicixn,
and drops bis uotes to a sleepy cradle
song. The little red heads crawl drow
sily up the stairs, the lights go out in
the rooms, until pretty Bo.n the violin
laughs and sobs aloae.
Ever since she had come down from
somewhere in North Carolina to live at
117 and work out her fortune in New
York, the Herr Hans hud contiived to
be on the landing ea:h morning when
the door of MisB Dorothy's room open
ed, that he might ay-",!A good morning,
Fraulein," snd keep the memory of her
answering smile to. turn into music at
night. For of all that youthful army
which a great city draws with a golden
promise from the purer, cleaner, coun
try, Dorothy, it seemed to Hans, waa
the freshest, the pre tiest the best ex
pression of those purities and graces
which never find birth in the dingy
Hoors of a tenement, and therefore the
Herr Bauermeister would get from the
maiden an inspiration in his music
nothing else. "Hans, Hans," growled
Lensen, "thou wilt soon be in love with
this madchen at thy age!" and for
answer the Herr Bauermeister only
picked up his violin and played a few
soft bars. "That is the theme, the soul
of this girl," said he. ''From it I shall
some day make a great sonata. I will
love only the music, Herr Meister."
Each day the music grew and chang
ed and grew again. Each day the Herr
Bauermeister saw well that the soul of
womankind is strange and various be
yond all knowing; yet the sonata grew,
until a holiday brought MiBs Dorothy
home for an afternoon and set its themes
to confusion. But of such injuries the
Fraulein could have guessed nothing,
elee of an afternoon, when store hours
were done, she would not have sung
funny darky songs to the Shaugnneseys
spell-bound on the landing, with the
Herr Hans in full range, nor flaunted
such entransingly ridiculous faces to
make the children scream with laughter,
and impossible ideas run through his
head. ThuB, however, was damage
and mischief sown in the heart of Herr
Bauermeister. Looking through the
door-crack, he feloniously caught each
note, and, when the Bongs were done
and the Sbaughneseys departed, he tip
toed acrtee the hall, and hung a great
red rose on her- door-knob, and then
back again to play a tof t little U'ebeslied
over and over again, until she opened
her door and found the flower, and ran
across to blow thanks into his keyhole.
At which Hans, on the other side, smil
ed foolishly, and, "This is not music,
thou great boy!'' said he, and fell to
work on a dusty etude
It was such a holiday afternoon,
the children gathered close about,
Dorothy in her happiest, saucieet mood,
that a ptrange disturbance begin below.
The shouts of the restaurant children
heralded the great event, and the Guli
g-tn youngsters followed as far as they
dared, which was until the outermost
rea-head spied a blue uniform and gave
the alarm. Herr Bauermeister heard
the noise, and, looking through his
crack, saw the little Fraulein grow very
pale, andlreached the door just as she
tore open a telegram, gave a little cry,
and tumbled right into bis arms. For
a second he thought of nothing but the
delight of having that little body lying
there; thn she opened her eyes and
slid into a sad little heap on the floor in
the midst of the frightened children.
"My mother!" she sobbed. "My moth
er!" And at that nans tiptoed away
and brought down good Mrs. Shaugh
neesy, then went into his room and shut
the door. Pretty soon the old Irish
woman knocked and entered with
straming cheeks. "Her mother's sick
to "ceath in Caroliny," said she, sobbing
without restraint. "Poor choild, Bhe's
no money to take her home."
The Herr Bauermeister was delving
in a flutter of time-tables. "At six does
she leave?" said he gruffly. "As for the
money, I have much, and you shall say
that it is from you. And now," said he,
"will I play that which will soothe?"
"Tne aunts bless ye!'' cried Mrs.
Shaughnessy, and went back to the
room across the landing.
It waB then that Herr HanB first play
ed the great sonata whose theme is the
soul of a girl. There is another motive
when you hear it now, but outside
Dorothy's door it sang only of purity
and teudprness and sympathy, with deep
quavering grief in its melodies. An
other messenger boy followed the first
while be played, and the trembling Mrs.
Shaughnessy tiptoed shakily into the
darkened room, and came bursting out
again crying, "Better! Better!" that the
whole house might hear.
"Lieber Gottl that is good," shouted
Hans, and, tucking bis fiddle under his
arm, went trotting down the stairs, for
it was concert afternoon and the hour
long past. He waa not much of a
thinker, this Herr Hans, when anything
besides his music needed solving. He
lived upon his sensibilities, and hip
violin thought for him. Perhaps it was
for that reason that he could not ana
lyze the pleasant melancholy which
kept him company all the way to the
way to the music hall, which made him
wish to be on the little landing one in
stant, and the next breathing his whole
heart into his violin before a hundred
hearers. The streets, the air, the passers-by,
went round to the thrumming
swing of his sonata, and the glory of an
unknown motive blending with the old
music tilled his mind with a curious
wonder. The violin under his arm was
fairly throbbing with suppressed song.
Entering the side door of the hall, he
heard with impatience the full swing of
the orchestra which told him that his
time had not yet come.
The symphony flared out in a glori
ous blast of trumpets, followed by rap
turous applause and a prosaic rustle of
whispers. In the midst of the confusion
Hans entered by the drums and made
made his way through the chairs with a
serene unconsciousness of fault. The
conductor and Nick Lensen, talking'
anxiously together, spied him as he took
bis accustomed. seat, and pushed their
way thither' with flushed faces.- "This
will not do, Bauermeister," cried the
leader angrily; "yours is the next num
ber." "It was a sickness, Herr Con
ductor," said Hans, calmly, but he
beckoned Lensen closer. . "Nick," he
whispered feverishly, "what is that
which I play today?" "Ihou fool,"
cried Lensen, "the aria. Mad one! thou
wilt disgrace us!" "It may be," said
Hans, tightening the G string with un
wonted care.
The Herr Conductor tapped sharply,
silence spread over the chairs, and
Hans stepped to the dais with uplifted
violin. For the space of a breath or
two he did not break the silence. Then
his bow just touched the strings, and
drew softly across. Three times he
played a simple melody slowly and with
a caressing carefulness, like one who
would be sure of that which he has
found. "Ach! how grows the theme!"
said he, audibly, threw back his head,
and was off and away into the great so
nata. There was a faint rustle of Bur
prise among the audience, and a cran
ing of necks in the orchestra, but as the
quivering strains mounted higher and
higher into the fullness of completed
harmony the murmur ceased. Then a
new motive, wonderfully sweet, and half
ashamed, stole in and inspired the old
sonata, until music and musician and
hearers alike throbbed to the height of
the glorious love song of the violin.
Then sudden silence, and "The mischief
is done," muttered Herr Hans; "until
this I did not know" a few soft notes
like the breath of wearied passion and
it was over.
And then what a burst of applause,
what crowding friends and rapturous
praise! Old Nick stood trembling, with
a big teardrop run to bis white beard.
"HanB, Haus, it is thy masterpiece!" he
cried, while the Herr Conductor seized
him in his arms and kissed him. But
the Herr Bauermeister only shrugged.
'Ach! it is good," said he. "Tomorrow
I will write the score, and then, old
friend, perhaps I will leave thee for
awhile."
"TonnereV cried Lensen. "I should
have guessed. It is the madchen!"
But Hans had already escaped. Out
side the stage door was the tail of a
string of hansoms. Only the least ex
citement would have urged him to such
extravagance, so that the cabby who
found himself possessed of so eager a
passenger caught hi6 fervor and drove
down Warburton street as if at least an
alderman were within. Print deals not
with such astonishment as that which
Vint Pub. Nov. si3
Notice of Petition for Letters.
In tbe county court of Laucaiter county, Ne
braska. In re estate of Itobert Van Andel, deceased.
The State of Nebraska, to Mary Van Anitcl.
Frank Vincent Van Anilel ana to any other
persons Interested In said matter.
Take notice that a petition signed by John
F. Itlffc praying wild court to grunt letter
of administration of mild estate to John F HIITo
hiw been tiled tn said court; that the name Is set
for hearing on the tlth day or December, !.
at ten o'clock A. M.. and that If you do not then
appear and contest, said court may grunt ad
ministration of the said estute to John F. ItlfTe.
Notice of thfo proceeding lias been ordered
published three week successively lu The
Courier of Lincoln, Nebraska, prior to said
hearing.
Witness my hand and the seal of said court
this 15th day of November A. D 1990.
(SEAL.) Fit A.N K K. WATERS,
County Judge.
Hy Walter A. Lkesc.
Clerk County Court.
First Pub. Nov. 511.
Notice of Incorporation.
The undersigned hereby give public notice
that they have associated themselves together
for the purpose of forming the following incor
poration: 1. The name of said corporation Is the "City
Illock Company."
5. The principal place of transacting the busi
ness of this corporation Is at the city of Lincoln,
Nebraska.
3. The general nature of the business to be
transacted by this corporation is to purchase,
own, repair, maintain. Insure, rent, lease, mort
gage, sell, and convey real estate, fixtures and
appurtenances in the city of Lincoln. Nebraska.
4. The amount of capital stock authorized In
this corporation Is 38,0uu, divided Into 3tiu
shares of I10O each, which shall be paid at or
before the date of Issuance of certificates there
for, cither in real estate, money, or fixtures, or
appurtenances, situated in the city of Lincoln.
Nebraska, at such reasonable valuation as shall
be put thereon by, the board of directors of this
company, but the Incorporation shall be deemed
complete upon the subscription of three shares.
.5. The time of commencement of this corpora
tion is the date of the tiling of these articles
with the county clerk of Lancaster county. Ne
braska, and the date of its termination Is at the
expiration of twcnty-tlve years from said last
named date.
6. The highest amount of Indebtedness or lia
bility to which this corporation may at any time
subject Itself is two-thirds of Its capital stock,
which may be secured in whole or in part by
a mortgage or mortgages upon real estate
owned by It.
7. The affairs of this corporation shall be con
ducted by a board of three directors, who shall
choose a president from among their own num
ber, and who shall also elect a secretary and
treasurer but the last named offices may be
held by the same person. The board shall also
appoint or provide for the appointment of such
subordinate officers as It may see fit.
R. C. Hazlett.
C F. SsCHWAIlTZ.
F. D. Cornell.
First Pub. Nov. 17-5.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to li
cense and authority granted at Lincoln. Ne
braska, on the 12th dav f November. 1UOJ). by
the Honorable Edward P. Holmes, one of the
judges of the District Court for Lancaster coun
ty. Nebraska, sitting at chambers; the under
signed executors of the last will of Nathaniel
Leech. late of near the city of Calgary. In the
district of Alberta. In the North West Terri
tories of Canada, will offer for sale anil sell to
the highest and best bidder for cash at the
east front door of the court house of Lancaster
county, Nebraska, between the hours of 10
o'clock A.M. and 11 o'clock A. 11. on the 17th
day of December, A. D. I9il, lot numbered
twenty-one I -I) In block numbered one I Din
Kennard's addition to the city of Lincoln, Lan
caster county. Nebraska. Said sale will be held
open for bidders during the whole time between
said hours. Joseph Leech.
Oeohck Leech,
Executors.
First Pub. Nov. 21-X
Notice of Probate.
In the county court of Lancaster county Ne-braska-E
I 197.
The state of Nebraska, to Francis. Van Andel.
Mrs. Annie Mcltae and to any other persons
interested In said matter.
Take notice that an instrument purporting to
be the last will and testiment of Mollie Van
Andel, deceased. Is on tile in said court, and
also a petition praying for the probate of said
instrument, and for the appointment of John
Kiffe as executor. That on December I lth l'-XV,
at ten o'clock A. M. said petition and the proof
will be heard at the county court room In Lin
coln, in said county, and that If you do not then
appear and contest, said court may probate
and record said will and grant administration
of the estate a prayed for
Notice whereof hxs been ordered published
for three weeks successively prior to said hear
ing in The Courier of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Witness my hand and seal of said court this
19th day of November, 1900.
I.SEAL.J Frank R. Waters,
County Judge.
By Walteh A. Lee.se, Clerk County Court.
PAINTING,
Poll shin gg.
Twenty eight years experience as an
inside decorator. Reasonable prices.
CARL MYEER. 2612 Q
Phone 5232.
