Alexander W. Drake

Name: Century Magazine
Author: Alexander W. Drake

Century Magazine

Summary

“Century Magazine”, is a work by Alexander W. Drake. It explores elements such as balloon, songster and studio.

Quotes from Century Magazine (Alexander W. Drake)

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ Caught by a sudden current of air, it drifts lower and lower until it pauses underneath the upper balcony, trembling with a slight quivering motion before the open window, in the tender, soft light of departing day. The last look of the dying girl rests on the little songster as it pours forth again and again its ecstatic song with delight indescribable, then drops from its perch. What curious coincidence causes the balloon suddenly to collapse, and to sink slowly and softly until it lies on the balcony among the flowers, it, too, like the little bird, with life extinct? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ Music is heard—bird-music. Among those watching are a few brothers of the church, who cross themselves and look wonderingly at the rapidly growing speck. On it comes, larger and larger it grows, and now a miniature balloon is seen sailing slowly, swaying gracefully to and fro, but keeping almost a steady course down the quiet street. The villagers are filled with awe, as floating overhead almost within reach the little balloon passes on and on in the golden light of the dying day, with its feathered passenger sending forth its liquid, almost heavenly song. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ Penitents young and old are kneeling in the church, but who, think you, is standing before the altar in the chapel, examining with intense interest the little balloon, while the distant voices of the brothers and the last strains from the organ die away? On whom, think you, does the sweet, pensive smile of Mary rest, and to whom does the Infant Saviour hold out his little hands?
It is the host, whose imagination has been kindled, whose heart has been touched, by the curious story of the miracle which he has heard to-day for the first time. He has found his long-lost device. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ The studio and table looked lovely in the soft glow of candle-light, for neither gas nor electric light had any part in the host’s entertainment. Later on, when the merriment was at its height, the voices were almost drowned by the notes of the little songster in his gilded cage. Just as the contralto had arisen to sing, the silken cord which held the balloon became loosened in some accidental manner. Hands were eagerly but vainly extended to catch it, and all eyes were turned upward as the balloon rose rapidly higher and higher out of reach. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ There is the humming of bees, singing of birds and a fragrance indescribable. The Mississippi stretches away like a great silver serpent between golden meadows and headlands on either side, until it becomes a mere glint of light in the distance. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ Children are playing in the streets, and dark-eyed French girls in their pure white dresses are sitting in the balconies among the flowers. Many of the villagers are wending their way to the post-office for the evening mail, and here and there in a doorway is a gossiping group. Suddenly there is an exclamation. The children stop their play, and point to the sky. At the extreme end of the village street is a mere speck floating and swaying in the air as it comes nearer and nearer. Heads are peering out of windows. The villagers have forgotten their mail and their gossip. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Alexander W. Drake, Century Magazine

“ Carriages were called, and the host bade his guests good night. He whose dinners had always been a success was forced to acknowledge that to-night’s was a dismal failure, and he sat gloomy and silent, thinking of the little balloon sailing away through the blackness of the night, carrying the imprisoned songster he knew not whither.
II. The sun is just setting behind a beautiful old French town on the west bank of the southern Mississippi. The streets are filled—flooded with sunlight. The gardens are blooming with oleander-trees. ”

Alexander W. Drake

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Quotes from Century Magazine (Alexander W. Drake)

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