The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-05-02

him. The ship was wrecked on the coast
of New Jersey, and although the crew
and passengers were saved, the trunk
which contained his money was lost, and
he found himself on strange shore in a
completely destitute condition.
Fortunately, his good spirits never de-
serted him. Although blind and desti-
tute, his courage and fortitude were un :
abated. He found shelter for himself and
family in the house Of kind hearted
farmer and among the few effects which
were saved from the wreck, was one
trunk which contained the same violin on
which he had been accustomed to play in
the happy days of his youth. When it
was brought to him he grasped it care
fully, and exclaimed, "With this may
yet be enabled to find my way to my
brothers residence without being depen-
dant on the hand of charity" His per-
formance on the instrument was, in fact,
so skillful, that the villagers, won by his
sweet tones, and their sympathy for his
misfortunes, got up a little concert, which
gave him money enough to commence
his journey towards the interior of Penn
sylvania, where he hoped to find his
brother. And so he travelled on from
town to town, a poor blind fiddler, pitied
and relieved indeed, but still very poor
and destitute, knowing not in the morn
ing where he should lay his head at
night, as full of anxiety as he was of af
lection for his suffering family.
When he arrived at the town from
which James's last letter had been dated,
he learned, to his dismay, that bis bro
ther had sold his property there and en-
igrated to the west. No one could tell in
what part of the country he had settled !;
but he had Xpressed an intention of buy
ing farm in Illinois. Slowly and
sadly did poor Harry resume his weary
journey. Days and weeks did he toll on,
until at last they told him that he had
arrived in the State of Illinois. But it
was great State, and he still wandered
on, vainly inquiring after his lost broth
er, until the hope of finding his abode al
most died within him.
Towards the close of chill autumn
day, he found himself in the kitchen of a
large house into which he had been
invited in order TO regale the children
with few tunes on his violin. 1t was a
scene of rustic comfort. a cheerful fire
blazed upon the hearth, to which his lit
tie boy FASTENED for the purpose Of warm
ing himself. The children of the farmer
danced about the room, in eager antici-
patton of the music, till the poor fiddler
had drawn forth his instrument from its
case and began to play. when its full
sounding tones soon sliled the tumult
Two little girls stood before the perform
er with pleased attention, one with folded
hands, and the other with one hand on
her lips and the other holding the reins
attached to the little carload of play
things, half forgotten, behind her. The
eldest daughter leaned over the back of
her mothers chair, sheltered BY which,
The little boy, the wag Of the family, ex-
ecuted trayeslie of the fddler's mo-
tons, with fire shovel and pair Of
bellows. The mother held upon her lap
an infant, whose interest in the music the
father cndeavored to increase by swapping
his fingers for castanets. The poor fid-
dler's wife had her infant, too, in her lap,
and wretch9d as her condition was, she
seemed to sympathize in the pleasure
impaired TO the farmers family by her
husbands S music. The old farm servant
stood with his back to the fire, gazing
alphabetically upon the whole scene. The
group was a subject for painter.
Hitherto the fiddler had played the
national tunes of the country-Washing-
tons March, the Star Spangled Banner,
etc.-in compliment TO the supposed
taste Of his auditors /; but he now began
an old favorite air which had been the
delight of his youthful days. the g Vel
low haired Laddie." Suddenly the Joy
full chirruping of the farmer to his litile
one eeased-the castanets were no longer
heard swapping. AS the notes OF +" link
ed sweetness long drawn out" fell upon
his ear, the farmer stood still and gazed
upon the performer. wrapt in other scenes,
carried back, as we are all won't 10 be by
old tunes. to old times. At length the
music ceased.
Pray, my good man." said the far
mer, where did you learn that tune ?"
" In bonny Ayrshire, SIR"
Z" | never heard il played in that STYLE
before, save by one hand which is far
enough from here. In Ayrshire, did YOU
say Tell me, what is your name ?''
" | am called poor Harry, the blind
fiddler; but in my prosperous days, |
was blithe Harry Duncan
That | should ever live 10 see YOU
thus, Harry - cried the farmer, fin ging
himself into the arms of the astonished
blind man, in passionate burst OF tears.
p" Ii is your brother James that embraces
you F! Why, oh why, do | see YOU thus ?"
jamie. replied Harry. adopting for
the nonce the phraseology Of the humble
peasantry Of his country, little Of his
old humor returning even at this touch
Ing moment, "ye ken | told 80 mony
time lang syne, that my fidnle might one
day be the means OF winning my bread"
Well" replied James, recovering
himself little At this sally. :" think the
prophecy has been sufficiently fulfilled.
You shall no longer fiddle for your bread.
Harry"
Aud he was as good rs his word.-
James's superior skill! in the application
~ pn,nl s..,a,a,