The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-27
From Chambers Journal.
IT'S USELESS TRYING.
(CoNTINUED.)


The boy recovered, and she disappeared
again among the dancers but many time die
the auburn curls, and soft. brown, sympathis
ing eyes of the little school girl float before
the vision of Reuben Vandrest; and the youn,
sole confdant--his violin-the pretty name h
had heard on his waking, and dimly recognis
ed as hers-Cora Dacres.
Long before he was twenty one, Reuben hat
entirely devoted himself to the musical pro
fession. The turning point in his career wa
given by a curious incident. One moonlight
night, as he was playing on the roof as usual
he saw a head peep out from the uppermos
window of the opposite house. This heat
was drawn in when he ceased playing, ant
again put forward as soon as he recommended
A natural feeling of gratiied vanity prevented
the young man from yielding to his first shy
impulse of retiring; and besides, sympathy II
anything relating to his art was so new t6
Reuben, that it gave him pleasure to be atten
lively listened to, even by an unknown neigh
Dor over the way. He threw all his soul into
his violin, and played until midnight.
Next day, while at his duties in his MASTER
shop, the apprentice was sent for to the house
opposite. Reuben went, bearing the insignia
of his lowly trade; but instead of patient
customer, he saw gentleman who only smiled
at his array of brushes.
II did not send for you to act as barber,
said the strangerin English, which was strong
ly tinctured with a foreign accent, "but te
speak to you about the violin playing which
heard last night. Am rightly informed tina,
the performer was yourself!
at was, SIR" answered Reuben trembling
with eagerness.
"Who taught yous'
81 myself
"Then you love music! ;"
"With nv whole heart and soul!' crie6
the young man enthusiastically.
The stranger skilfully drew from Reuber
the little history of himself and his violin, and
talked to him long and earnestly. "You have
a true feeling for that noble art, to which l
too, belong" he said. "You may have many
difficulties to encounter; but never be dis
courased-you will surmount them all. You
have had many hindrances; but listen. and
will tell you what befell me at your age.
once came. poor boy like you. to the greatest
capital in Europe. my heart full Of music, but
utterly without means. My only wealth was
my violin. l lett it one day in my poor cham
her, while went out to buy loaf with my
last coin. When came back, my violin was
gone! 1t had been stolen. May God forgive
me for the crime l contemplated in my mac
despair! l rushed to the river; l plunged
hut was saved from the death l sought, anc
saved to live for better things. My friend,
continued the musician after long silence
during which his face was hidden by hi:
hands, Sin all the trials of your career remem
Der this and take warning"
II will will" cried Reuben, much
moved.
land now, after having told you this ter.
rible secret in my life, it is as we'll that coulc
not reveal my name; and besides, it could dc
you no good as l set out for Europe to-mor'
row. But should you ever be in Paris. come
to this address, leave this writing, and you
will hear of me-"
The gentleman wrote some lines in a foreign
language, which Reuben could not make out
though among his musical acquaintance he
had gained little knowledge OF both French
and Italian. He then gave Vandrest the adj
DRESS and babe him adieu. The young man
long pondered over this adventure, and 1t was
the final point which made him relinquish
trade so unpleasing to him for the practice oil
his beloved art.
1t is a mistake to suppose that the profession
of music is an easy, careless life, to which any
one may turn who has a distaste tor more
solid pursuits. In no calling is intellectual
activity and arduous study more imperatively
required. He who would attain to even
moderate eminence in it, must devote years
of daily patient toll to dry and uninteresti,ns
branches of study. A poet may be one oy
nature: it is utterly impossible that musi'
clan can be great without as deep science as
ever puzzled mathematical brain. He mus
work-work-every inch of his way; mus