登陆注册
5590700000039

第39章 The Twenty-Second of February(1)

Of course,the young ladies and gentlemen had a ball on the evening of that day,but the boys and girls were full of excitement about their "Scenes from the Life of Washington and other brilliant tableaux,"as the programme announced.The Bird Room was the theatre,being very large,with four doors conveniently placed.

Ralph was in his element,putting up a little stage,drilling boys,arranging groups,and uniting in himself carpenter,scene-painter,manager,and gas man.Mrs.Minot permitted the house to be turned topsy-turvy,and Mrs.Pecq flew about,lending a hand everywhere.Jill was costumer,with help from Miss Delano,who did not care for balls,and kindly took charge of the girls.Jack printed tickets,programmes,and placards of the most imposing sort,and the work went gayly on till all was ready.

When the evening came,the Bird Room presented a fine appearance.One end was curtained off with red drapery;and real footlights,with tin shades,gave a truly theatrical air to the little stage.Rows of chairs,filled with mammas and little people,occupied the rest of the space.The hall and Frank's room were full of amused papas,uncles,and old gentlemen whose patriotism brought them out in spite of rheumatism.There was a great rustling of skirts,fluttering of fans,and much lively chat,till a bell rang and the orchestra struck up.

Yes,there really was an orchestra,for Ed declared that the national airs must be played,or the whole thing would be a failure.So he had exerted himself to collect all the musical talent he could find,a horn,a fiddle,and a flute,with drum and fife for the martial scenes.Ed looked more beaming than ever,as he waved his baton and led off with Yankee Doodle as a safe beginning,for everyone knew that.It was fun to see little Johnny Cooper bang away on a big drum,and old Mr.Munson,who had been a flEer all his days,blow till he was as red as a lobster,while everyone kept time to the music which put them all in good spirits for the opening scene.

Up went the curtain and several trees in tubs appeared,then a stately gentleman in small clothes,cocked hat,gray wig,and an imposing cane,came slowly walking in.It was Gus,who had been unanimously chosen not only for Washington but for the f ather of the hero also,that the family traits of long legs and a somewhat massive nose might be preserved.

"Ahem!My trees are doing finely,"observed Mr.W.senior,strolling along with his hands behind him,casting satisfied glances at the dwarf orange,oleander,abutilon,and little pine that represented his orchard.

Suddenly he starts,pauses,frowns,and,after examining the latter shrub,which displayed several hacks in its stem and a broken limb with six red-velvet cherries hanging on it,he gave a thump with his cane that made the little ones jump,and cried out,"Can it have been my son?"He evidently thought it was,for he called,in tones of thunder,"George!George Washington,come hither this moment!"Great suspense on the part of the audience,then a general burst of laughter as Boo trotted in,a perfect miniature of his honored parent,knee breeches,cocked hat,shoe buckles and all.He was so fat that the little tails of his coat stuck out in the drollest way,his chubby legs could hardly carry the big buckles,and the rosy face displayed,when he took his hat off with a dutiful bow,was so solemn,the real George could not have looked more anxious when he gave the immortal answer.

"Sirrah,did you cut that tree?"demanded the papa,with another rap of the cane,and such a frown that poor Boo looked dismayed,till Molly wispered,"Put your hand up,dear."Then he remembered his part,and,putting one finger in his mouth,looked down at his square-toed shoes,the image of a shame-stricken boy.

"My son,do not deceive me.If you have done this deed I shall chastise you,for it is my duty not to spare the rod,lest I spoil the child.But if you lie about it you disgrace the name of Washington forever."This appeal seemed to convulse George with inward agony,for he squirmed most effectively as he drew from his pocket a toy hatchet,which would not have cut a straw,then looking straight up into the awe-inspiring countenance of his parent,he bravely lisped,"Papa,I tannot tell a lie.I'd id tut it with my little hanchet.""Noble boy--come to my arms!I had rather you spoilt all my cherry trees than tell one lie!"cried the delighted gentleman,catching his son in an embrace so close that the fat legs kicked convulsively,and the little coat-tails waved in the breeze,while cane and hatchet fell with a dramatic bang.

The curtain descended on this affccting tableau;but the audience called out both Washingtons,and they came,hand in hand,bowing with the cocked hats pressed to their breasts,the elder smiling blandly,while the younger,still flushed by his exertions,nodded to his friends,asking,with engaging frankness,"Wasn't it nice?"The next was a marine piece,for a boat was seen,surrounded by tumultuous waves of blue cambric,and rowed by a party of stalwart men in regimentals,who with difficulty kept their seats,for the boat was only a painted board,and they sat on boxes or stools behind it.But few marked the rowers,for in their midst,tall,straight,and steadfast as a mast,stood one figure in a cloak,with folded arms,high boots,and,under the turned-up hat,a noble countenance,stern with indomitable courage.A sword glittered at his side,and a banner waved over him,but his eye was fixed on the distant shore,and he was evidently unconscious of the roaring billows,the blocks of ice,the discouragement of his men,or the danger and death that might await him.Napoleon crossing the Alps was not half so sublime,and with one voice the audiencc cried,'Washington crossing the Delaware!"while the band burst forth with,"See,the conquering hero comes!"all out of tune,but bound to play it or die in the attempt.

同类推荐
  • 郑氏史料三编

    郑氏史料三编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • THE SON OF THE WOLF

    THE SON OF THE WOLF

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 飞花咏

    飞花咏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Research Magnificent

    The Research Magnificent

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 周易禅解

    周易禅解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 后宫斗之棋逢对手

    后宫斗之棋逢对手

    岸琪面若芙蓉之貌,似牡花之盛开。贤蕙如兰蕙皇后,却惨遭奸妃洪桃之毒手,再有嚣张跋戾之菊妃暗中使计,害死纯良之女腊妃,原来刁蛮如艳妃也变为冰冷性情,本份如莺妃祸及伤残,唯有一枚暗棋(女主岸琪),在宫中如昙花盛开,脱泥藻而涤世。蓝颜神兽饕餮拥帝王之血,抗争魔教,巧被岸琪相救,免一时之难。后宫风起云涌,她是否能够洞若观火,乾坤在握?她让世人知道,一个柔弱的闺阁女子,不止知风月,也知乾坤!
  • 使咒法经

    使咒法经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 帝尊你家嫣爷又调皮了

    帝尊你家嫣爷又调皮了

    他是一手遮天,冷血邪魅无人能近的邪帝,谈笑间能颠覆一座城,杀人于无影,人人闻风丧胆。她是帝国第一废物,懦弱无能,无灵力也无召唤天赋,人人可欺。当废物变成天才,一个字:牛,两个字:腹黑,三个字:很腹黑。什么是流弊?召唤魔兽很流弊?不不不,看姐姐的。真正的召唤术是,你想到什么就有什么,神兽,神丹,神器样样不缺,动动手自然飞到眼前来。某天某女一挥手,某邪帝华丽现身,他邪魅一笑:既然你将本帝召唤来了,按照规定本帝属于你了,来娘子,让本帝好好伺候你。某女低头看了看手中的肉包子:滚,我明明召唤的是一个包子,我饿了~“遵命,为夫马上为你种个包子。”某邪帝邪笑将人扑倒。“……”
  • 不羡不慕

    不羡不慕

    这十年,没有细看过天空飞鸟和大地,这座她出生的小镇……然而,宋白决定离开。去往她的梦想之城,漂。下一个十年,她要完完全全只属于自己。
  • 边城(沈从文小说全集)

    边城(沈从文小说全集)

    沈从文著文执教,一生中出版各种作品80多种,500多万字;他是1988年诺贝尔文学奖的最有力竞争者,却在之前过世……他就是京派小说代表人物沈从文,本书将向你展示这位传奇作家的部分经典代表作品!
  • Love-Songs of Childhood

    Love-Songs of Childhood

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 墨染之泪1

    墨染之泪1

    这里有幽默、真挚、天马行空,又充满了厚重的这里和感人的温情!这里是灵慧逼人、瑰丽恢宏的国度,让我们共赴想象力的盛宴。 胡伟红加盟新作,180°完美变身。 全新中国奇幻风时尚进化《墨染之泪》!2011年初春,用优美的文字和超凡的想象力带给你心灵的震撼!他的爱如海洋般深邃,他的心如天空般寂寥;而她在宠爱与呵护中陷入了阴谋的旋涡。
  • 嗜血公主的暗夜冷王子

    嗜血公主的暗夜冷王子

    “不要,不要死,不要离开我。”女孩儿捧着男孩儿的脸,泪一滴一滴的滑落。“傻瓜,我会永远陪着你。”男孩儿支撑着站起身,将女孩儿搂入怀中,张开嘴,对着女孩儿的脖颈咬下……
  • 申培诗说

    申培诗说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 最强破系统

    最强破系统

    一枚神秘的阴阳玉佩,一个诡异的残破系统。一个已经死了的人!一条不一样的破路!一种不一样的生死看淡,不服就破的态度。一种不一样的兄弟情义!看小小人物怎样在这极蓝星之上闯出属于自己的一番天地!一切都在最强破系统种为各位大大揭晓。PS:觉得本书不错的各位大神,望各位分享给你的兄弟朋友。