The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-25


thought on the mechanism of his instru-
ment. True he could replace broken string,
and at times even manufacture bridge with
his penknife. but that was all. When Reu-
ben inqusitively wanted to learn how violins
were made, the fiddler shook his head, and
said he did not know.
| "Do you think could make one - pursued
the anxious boy.
burst of laughter, SO cuttingly der:sive,
that Reuben's face grew crimson, was the only
answer. "Why, You little simpleton," cried
the fiddler when his mirth had subsidized,
surely you'll not be SO silly as to trys You
could as soon build house."
"But violins must be made by somebody"
Eyes, by people who know all about it !; not
by lad like you. Take my advice, and don't
try
Reuben said no more but he could not get
the idea from his mind. Every violin that he
saw he begged to look at; he examined the
varieties of construction, the sort of wood
used, the thickness and fashion of the strings :
and after weeks of consideration, he at last
determined to try and make one for himself.
During the long light summer nights, he
worked hour after hour in his garnet, or on the
roof of the house; his natural mechanical
skill was aided by patience and ardor and
with the few tools which he borrowed from
the good-natured carpenters who had given
him the wood, he succeeded in forming the
body of the violin. But here a long cessation
took place in Reuben's toll for he had not
even the few pence necessary to purchase
strings; and the bow, which he could not
mai e, it was utterly out of his power to buy.
He sat locking in despair at the half finished
instruments body without soul-and even
his fife could not console him. g
/ p,,fo Ind h fod
ticed the slight pale looking boy who had ar
ranged his locks SO gently and carefully, and
Reuben became the glad recipient of dollar.
He flew to buy catgut and an old bow, and
with trembling hands stringed his instrument
Who could describe the important momeEts
Leverrier' browning calculation for the new
planet, Lord ROSES first peep through his
giant telescope, are little compared to poor
Reuben's first attempt to draw sounds from
his violin. The sounds came string after
string was tuned; the bow was applied; and
the violin had soul! feeble and thin the
notes were, but still they were distinct musi-
cal tones; and the boy Rugged his selfmade
treasure to his beating heart, actually sobbing
with joy.
He played tune after tune; he never noticed
that evening darkened into night; he forgot
his supper he forgot too-what but for his
come into his mind-that though the childish
fife might pass muster in the house of hi,
master, a violin never would. The good Qua.
ker, one of the strictest of his sect, though
music was useless, sinful, heathenish and
fiddler in his eyes was equal with thief
Therefore who can picture Reuben's conster
nation when his garret-door opened, and hi
master stood before him? Reuben bore a
Ephraim's wrath in silence, only he took car
to keep his darling violin safe from the storm
by pressing it closely in his arms.
"Thou hast been neglecting thy work an
stealing fddles," cried the angry man.
81 have not neglected my work." timidl'
answered the boy; land have not stolen tn
violin-indeed have not"
elbow didst thou get it ?"
! 81 made it myself"
Old Ephraim looken surprised. All tn
music in the world was nothing to him, bu
he had fancy for mechanical employments
and the idea of making violin struck him as
ingenious. He examined it, and became les
angry.
twill it play?" asked he. .....
Reuben, delighted, began one of his most
touching airs but his master stopped him.
'.That will do said he; 81 only want to see
| if it sounds-all tunes are the same. And l,
suppose thou wilt turn musician p
| Reuben hung his head and said nothing.
"Well, that thou canst never do SO would
advise thee not to try. Forget TIE fiddle, and
be a good barber. However, I will say no
more; only thou must play out OF doors next
time"
But all the discouragements of the old Qua
ker could not repress Reuben's love for mu-
sic. He cut, and curled, and shaved, as in
duty bound, and then fled away to his violin.
From the roof of the house his music went
forth and in this most original sonnet-room,
with the open sky above him, and the pert city
sparrows, now used to his melody, hopping by
his side, did the boy gradually acquire the first
secrets of his art. II is needless to enumerate
the contrivances he resorted to for instruction