The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-05-02
THE BLIND FIDDLER.
BY MRS. VIRGINIA DEFoREST.

4" Harry, what is the use of you fidd-
ling away there all the evening, when
you might just as well be a reading some
useful book, or else learning some useful
art"
Good brother, don't fret. Ny iidd-
ling does not disturb you. You have
such power of fixing your attention,
that you can study your book just as
well when | am playing dancing tune
here in the room, as you can when am
a mile off. 1t does not disturb you at
ALL"
"Granted. We settled that matter
long ago. The cheerful sounds of the
instrument inspirit without disturbing
me, | think that on the whole, get on
rather better when you are in the room,
especially as you are always willing to
give me lift when | come across any
thing which don't understand.
Well, then. why do you fret ?"
at is not on my account, but on your
own. 1t seems to me that you are vast
ing your time, to practice so much rs
you do. You play in a masterly man
ner now and by employing all you ev-
enings in study, you might learn great
deal that would be of some practical use
to you as a farmer"
90, like to mingle the agreeable
with the useful, to fiddle nine -eighths Of
the evening and study the remaining
fifth, as Patrick O'Dougherty says. Be
sides. who knows but tiddiing may be
useful to me some time or other may
live TO get my bread by it,
Poor Harry Duncan. he hule thought
that his ''words would ever come true"
He was light hearted. volatile, gener-
Gus youth, the destined heir ol rich
uncle, the fayorite son of his father, a
hourishing farmer in Ayrshire. There
was not more popular or a more prom
ising youth in all Scotland. Not even
his staid and studious brother James was
more highly esteemed in their native vii
lage. All hearts warmed at the sight of
his merry face and the ring of his cheer
ful laugh; and right prosperously did
he SO on for many long year. He in
heriled his unce's estate. fine, well
stocked farm, and was at once placed in
a state of complete independence.
James, who had not the natG rally fine
parts and popular address of his brother,
was one OF your persevering, plodding
youths, who, while his brother was learn
ing TO play upon the violin, was serious
ly addressing himself to the study of
scientific agriculture. He learned great
many things respecting the chemistry of
soils and plants, and the alteration of
crops, by studying attentively every new
work which came out on these subjects :;
and finally became satisfied that he could
increase very greatly the products of
any farm Of which he might have the
care.
On proposing some of his improve
ments 10 his father, he found that it was
easier 10 convince ones self of the pos
sibillty of scheme, than to induce 9th
ers to adopt it. The old farmer was
highly indignant at his sons presuming
TO teach him the art he had been all his
life practlcing ; and he incontinen,ly told
him to carry his "book notions" 10 an
other market. Being rather high spir
tied 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 decease Of the uncle
who had left not only his real estate, but
all his personal property to Harry.
Coming into his brother's room one
morning. and finding him packing his
trunk very diligently. he accosted him
with" Hullo !! what now? Going OH a
journey
+" Yes, Harry, long one." replied
James sedately.
Indeed what has started YOU off
now. brother. and whittier are YOU
going ?"