The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-21


ganist, sadly; "he has been on the watch,
too."
ale is always successful at the different
competitions" was the reply, "and more
dreaded than any one by the different socie'
ties"
"Is he ?" asked Van Braken, tartly. 49,,
"Yes." said the shopkeeper, "and he will
gain the prize this year"
ave will see about that" exclaimed the
old musician, twisting his cane. "He shall
not do it with these birds, for | will buy
them" !,
"You wish to try for the prize'" asked
the shopkeeper.
"Tha, is my business" replied Van Bra
ken. "Have You shop-boy?"
ayes sir" said the shopkeeper.
"Then let him take this cage and follow
me-" said Van Braken; ~ will pay him the
hundred ducats when we reach the house,
Six months after, the windows and the
walls Of the organist's little house were
literally covered with cages Of oil d'men'
sions.
Van Braken's singing. birds had taken the
prizes three different times already. Yet
the organist did not rest upon his laurels; ;
for the lists were to open again ut Brussels,
and this trial would be decisive.
At dawn Of day the spinet reused the III.
tie singers, and from that time until evening
the deafenng concert continued-a verita-
BILE deluge Of uills, warblings, and chirP-
ings. :,
One morning, as Van Braken was seated
before his spinet, striking chords to guide
his singers, he heard sweet female voice
ut a little distance, leading the choir OF birds.
A smile Of pleasure illumined his shrivelled
features, and he continued striking the APP
propriate chords. The voice repeated, with
a remarkable purity and exactness, every
note the organist produced on his sPinet.
Aiter time. Van Braken stole softly to
the window, which he had left open. a
young girl, enveloped in ragged shawl, was
seated on wooden bench outside. Her
fair head, as she leaned against the wall,
was Unframed in the ivy and roses which
twined about the stone. The organist stood
still moment, looking intently at the little
beggar, whose features, though altered by
poverty and suffering, had yet touching
expression Of resignation and gcn'leness.
"Was it you heard singing just now, my
child?" asked he, placing his hand on the
girls head. -,
The beggar rose, trembling. ayes, sir"
she replied; "if it has disturbed you, will
not sing any more"
al did not say that, little one" returned
Van Braken; "on the contrary, am pleas.
ed. As proof, give you this to thank you
for the entertainment you have afforded me-"
and he drew from his pocket little piece ol
money, which he offered her.
She extended her hand IN the wrong di-
rec,ion, seeking vainly to find 1t. :,
"Alas, poor girl y exclaimed inc goou
man, .sshe is blind"
AYES, sir" said the young singer, sadly.
al have been blind two years. leone often
and sit here, to listen to your birds. When
the sun shines, and you place them in the
window, approach and speak to them.-
They know me well, for they answer me-
All! how wish could see them; they
must be so pretty
A shade Of sorrow passed over the organ
lists face; the singular resemblance existing
between the girl and birds touched his heart.
For some moments he was silent, absorbed
in his own thoughts.
.What is your name, my child!" said he,
gently addressing the blind beggar.
"Audrine, sir" she replied.
sand your family" said Van Braken,
"where are they"
al have no family, sir; my mother died
three years ago, at the hospital in this city,
"Ahw said Van Braken, "she belonged
to this place, then?"
mo sir; she came from Vienna"
"From Vienna z" he repeated with emo
ton.
ayes, sir-a great artist has told me so
she never spoke to Ine Of herself lie said
she Quilted the theatre to follow a young
man whom she loved, musician, who aban-
doned her in Ltaly. His name was S'o-
yens." ~
"Stovens! are you that mans child 7" in
quired Van Braken, eagerly.
The beggar sadly bowed her head as she
answered "No."
"The name Of your mother, my chill" "
asked Van Braken.
"Funizia," she replied.
A low moan escaped the organist's lips,
and he tottercd like man suddenly shot.
"Frantzia - he said, "My poor Frantzia
And you are her daughter? Her daughter,
and beg your bread Come, poor little one,
come to me-" And the old man tenderly
pressed the girls hand. "Come live with
me-"
Audrine hesitated; but Van Braken en-.
tree,ed her with 80 earnest u tone, that she
took seat beside him.
"You knew my mother, then 2" she asked.
"Yes," replied Van Braken; 81 was her
best friend in Vienna. That was many years
ago. will tell you more some time. You
must never leave me, Audrine; | will find
you plenty Of occupation here"
"Alas! you forget my sad position" said
Audrine.
mo, my child" returned Van Braken;
"you love my birds-you shall take care OF
them, aud sing with them; and since they
know you already. they will soon obey you
Us they do me. The house is not large, and
with that second.sight Of the touch which
the Almighty has given to those he has de-
prved Of sight, you will soon grow familiar
with all the objects about you. You will
not be my servant, but my companion aud
friend. You do not answer. All! under
stand you have the suspicion which Is
part ofyour in6rmity, and you do not trust
me. Let your clairvoyant hands read upon
my forehead and hands the signs Of old age,
and then you will have more confidence in
the words Of Van Bpken."
"Van Btakenm exclaimed Audrinc, press
ing his hand; "ah, no longer hesitate, for
l know that you are good, and worthy OF
confidence
"Has your mother told you Of mel" in.
qniIed the musician, hesi,ntingly.
ayes very oilen," replied Audrinc.
"And what did she say'" inquired Van
Bsken.
"She told me-" continued Audrine, .that
you had met with misiorunes, and that but
for her you might have become great ar
fist "