第41章 The Twenty-Second of February(3)
"Welcome,mighty chief,once more Welcome to this grateful shore;Now no mercenary foe eyes as she held her egg-shell cup aloft,while the others lifted theirs to drink the toast,and Merry,as hostess,sat with her hand on an antique teapot,labelled "Sage,"ready to fill again when the patriotic ladies were ready for a second "dish."This was much applauded,and the curtain went up again,for the proud parents enjoyed seeing their pretty girls in the faded finery of a hundred years ago.The band played "Auld Lang Syne,"as a gentle hint that our fore-mothers should be remembered as well as the fore-fathers.
It was evident that something very martial was to follow,for a great tramping,clashing,and flying about took place behind the scenes while the tea-party was going on.After some delay,"The Surrender of Cornwallis"was presented in the most superb manner,as you can believe when I tell you that the stage was actually lined with a glittering array of Washington and his generals,Lafayette,Kosciusko,Rochambeau and the rest,all in astonishing uniforms,with swords which were evidently the pride of their lives.Fife and drum struck up a march,and in came Cornwallis,much cast down but full of manly resignation,as he surrendered his sword,and stood aside with averted eyes while his army marched past,piling their arms at the hero's feet.
This scene was the delight of the boys,for the rifles of Company Fhad been secured,and at least a dozen soldiers kept filing in and out in British uniform till Washington's august legs were hidden by the heaps of arms rattled down before him.The martial music,the steady tramp,and the patriotic memories awakened,caused this scene to be enthusiastically encored,and the boys would have gone on marching till midnight if Ralph had not peremptorily ordered down the curtain and cleared the stage for the next tableau.
This had been artfully slipped in between two brilliant ones,to show that the Father of his Country had to pay a high price for his glory.The darkened stage represented what seemed to be Aims again the fatal blow,Aims at thee the fatal blow.
"Virgins fair and matrons grave,Those thy conquering arm did save,Build for thee triumphal bowers;Strew,ye fair,his way with flowers,Strew your hero's -way with flowers."And they did,singing with all their hearts as they flung artificial roses and lilies at the feet of the great men,who bowed with benign grace.Jack,who did Lafayette with a limp,covered himself with glory by picking up one of the bouquets and pressing it to his heart with all the gallantry of a Frenchman;and when Washington lifted the smallest of the maids and kissed her,the audience cheered.Couldn't help it,you know,it was so pretty and inspiring.
The Washington Family,after the famous picture,came next,with Annette as the serene and sensible Martha,in a very becoming cap.
The General was in uniform,there being no time to change,but his attitude was quite correct,and the Custis boy and girl displayed the wide sash and ruffled collar with historic fidelity.The band played "Home,"and everyone agreed that it was "Sweet!""Now I don't see what more they can have except the deathbed,and that would be rather out of place in this gay company,"said the old gentleman to Mr.Burton,as he mopped his heated face after pounding so heartily he nearly knocked the ferule off his cane.
"No;they gave that up,for my boy wouldn't wear a night-gown in public.I can't tell secrets,but I think they have got a very clever little finale for the first part--a pretty compliment to one person and a pleasant surprise to all,"answered Mr.Burton,who was in great spirits,being fond of theatricals and very justly proud of his children,for the little girls had been among the Trenton maids,and the mimic General had kissed his own small sister,Nelly,very tenderly.
A great deal of interest was felt as to what this surprise was to be,and a general "Oh!"greeted the "Minute Man,"standing motionless upon his pedestal.It was Frank,and Ralph had done his best to have the figure as perfect as possible,for the maker of the original had been a good friend to him;and,while the young sculptor was dancing gayly at the ball,this copy of his work was doing him honor among the children.Frank looked it very well,for his firm-set mouth was full of resolution,his eyes shone keen and courageous under the three-cornered hat,and the muscles stood out upon the bare arm that clutched the old gun.Even the buttons on the gaiters seemed to flash defiance,as the sturdy legs took the first step from the furrow toward the bridge where the young farmer became a hero when he "fired the shot heard 'round the world.""That is splendid!""As like to the original as flesh can be to bronze.""How still he stands!""He'll fight when the time comes,and die hard,won't he?""Hush!You make the statue blush!"These very audible remarks certainly did,for the color rose visibly as the modest lad heard himself praised,though he saw but one face in all the crowd,his mother's,far back,but full of love and pride,as she looked up at her young minute man waiting for the battle which often calls us when we least expect it,and for which she had done her best to make him ready.
If there had been any danger of Frank being puffed up by the success of his statue,it was counteracted by irrepressible Grif,who,just at the most interesting moment,when all were gazing silently,gave a whistle,followed by a "Choo,choo,choo!"and "All aboard!"so naturally that no one could mistake the joke,especially as another laughing voice added,"Now,then,No.11!"which brought down the house and the curtain too.