Page 201 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

Tlie boys worked very hand, for there was only a short time given
them. Franz put his whole soul into his composition, and made him­
self almost sick Over it. Raoal went about declaring, in hi-v usual
contemptuous maimer, that ho did not intend to kill himseif over it,
but see red v lie worked with t/reat industry.
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One level)' moonlight night, as he sat by his window composing, for
die moon was so bright he could see very well, lie impatiently flung
his pen down and muttered, “ There is no use; I tan never do it ; this
will never d o !” and began angrily to Lear up fine of Lhe music sheets,
when a u dden ly he s t opped a n d ill i sc d i 1 i ■; head :: n d listen ed i it ten il y .
Such a lovdjr melody, so soft and dear, rkdr.F.’: and failing in the
sweetest cadences, now growing louder and louder in a wild, passionate
crescendo, and then dying away !
For a moment the boy remained silent; then. Suddenly springing to
his feet, he cried ;
<;Tt is Franz! I know it, for no one but ho could write anything so
beautiful. 1-Jut: it shall he mine, for it is the piece that will gain the
prize! Ah, Franz, T play before you, and what 1 play shell he------
He stopped, and the moonlight streaming in ai the window glanced
across the room, mid revealed a look of half triumph, half shame on
his dark, haughty fa.ee. Why had he stooped r1 Perhaps his guardian
angel stood behind him, warning him against what he was about
to do. For a. moment, a fierce struggle seemed to lake possession
of the boy, between his <.>ood and his evil spirit. But, a-as! the evil
conquered, and, sitting down, he wrote of: what lie had heard, aided
by his wonderful memory ; anrl, aiior an lion:', he threw down the
piece, finished. Then, with an exulting smile, he cried, 41 The prhio
is mine I’1 and, throwing himself on the bed, lie fell into a troubled
1
■_>
sleep.
The time had come at last for the great concert, and the boys were
so excited they could hardly keep still; even Franz, whose checks
glowed with a brilliant hectic hush, and whose eyes were strangely
bright. The hall was crowded. The imperial family was there,
together with die whole court.