Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-17
From the Lady's Book.
THE BLIND FIDDLER.
BY MISS VIRGINIA pEFoREsT.

SOtlIC uScIul dTt
Good brother, don't fret. My iddling
does not disturb you. You have such a
power of fixing your attention, that you can
study your book just as we'll when l am
playing dancing tune here in this room, as
you can when am mile of. 1t does not
disturb you at ALL
Granted. We settled that matter long
ago. The cheerful sounds of the instru-
ment inspirit without disturbing me. 1
think on the whole l get on rather better
when you are in the room, especially as you
are always willing to give me lift when
come across anything don't understand
Well then, why do you fret =
1t is not on my account, but on your
own. 1t seems to me that you are wasting
your time to practice so much as you do
You play in mastery manner now; and
by employing all your evenings in study,
you might learn great deal that would be
Of some practical use to you as farmer
ooh, like to mngle the agreeable with
the useful, to fiddle nine-eigh,s of the even
ing, and study the remaining fifth, as Patrick
O'Doughtery says. Besides, who knows
but fiddling may be useful to me some time
or other. | may live TO get my bread by it,
Poor Harry Duncan he little thought
that his swords would ever come true"
He was light hearted, volatile, generous
youth, the destined heir of rich uncle, the
favorite son of his father, hourishing far
mer in Ayrshire. There was not more
promising youth in all Scotland. Not even
his staid and studious brother James was
more highly esteemed in their native village.
All hearts warmed at the sight of his merry
face and the ring of his cheerful laugh and
right prosperously did he go on for many a
long year. He inherited his uncle's estate,
fine, well stocked farm, and was at once
placed in a state of complete independence.
James, who had not the naturally fine
parts and popular address of his brother,
was one of your persevering, plodding
youth, who while his brother was learning
to play upon the violin, was seriously ad-
dressing himself to the study of scientific
agriculture. He learned great many things
respecting the chemistry of soils and plants
and the alienation of crops, by studying at
tentlvcly every new work which, came out
on either of these subjects and finally be-
came satisfied that he could increase very
Steatiy pVOouCtS OF any OF winch
he might have the care. On proposing
some of his Improvements TO his father, he
found it much easier 10 convince ones self of
the possibility of scheme, than to induce
others to adopt it. The old farmer was
highly indignant at his sons presuming to
teach him the art which he had been all his
life practising; and he continually told him
10 carry his "book notions to another
market. Being rather high spirited youth,
and Of age, at the time this ungracious speech
was made, James took his father at his
word and began to make preparations for
leaving home. This was just after the de-
cease of the uncle, who had left not only his
real estate, but all his personal property to
Harry.
Coming into his brothers room one morn
ing and finding him packing his trunk very
diligently, he accosted him with "Halloo
what now going journey
Yes, Harry. long one said James, Sc
dately.
Indeed what has started you off now,
brother, and whittier are you going?'
Il will tell you, Harry he said, closing
his trunk, and sitting composedly down on
the lid.
you must know that this morning, hav.
ing respectfully suggested to father some
change in manuring that field which is in.
tended for wheat next season, he took my
remarks in high dudgeon, scolded away hal
an hour at me, blamed me for pretending tt
learn farming from books. and finally tolt
me | had better take my book notions to an
other market. Now, as can do that thing
l think on the whole, WILL
'Oh, no, brother, you will not do so hasty
and unkind thing. You will think bette
of it,
Harry l hate to leave you-that's a fact
We have been more than brothers. w,
have always been friends. But 90 must
Harry put both hands to his face, bowet
down his head on the table, and wept like
child. Tears filled the eyes of James, too
but he was firm in his purpose. Recov
ering in some measure from his agitation
Henry said, "Where do you purpose to go
and how are you provided for the adven
ture =
'Imean,' replied James, to 60 to Amer
lea. and l have money enough to pay M
passage and support me year after my ar
rival
What is your plan of operation =
Il mean to earn money enough to bu
some land and then l will see if there
any virtue in my book no,ions.'
Il pray you, James, do not act so hastily
so madly. There is no occasion for it,
Stay with us. You will share the same a
myselfin what my father may leave. Their
are but we two. Why partl Why be
y wanderer and an exile. when you have
a comfortable home, and good prospect {
II future independence before you =
: tits of no use to talk about it, Harry
g replied James, who in fact expected nothin
IT by way of inheritence from his father, b,
g still had too much delicacy to wound h
> brother by saying so. you know lov
u you. Harry, and would gladly stay with yo'
" but ! know also where am going and WIFI
| will do
AT least, them said Harry, If you wi
:, 60. let me smooth your way little An
y so saying he sat down and wrote check f
! all the ready money in his bankers hand
; the boarded savings-in fact nearly all II