The Shasta courier., 1864-01-30
The Blind Fiddler.

Harry, what is the use of your fddling
away there all the evening when you might
Just as we'll be reading some useful book, OF
learning some useful art?''
Good brother, don't fret. Ny fddling
does not disturb you. You have such pow
er of fixing your attention, that you can study
your book just as we'll when l am playing a
dancing tune here in the room, as you can when
am mile off 1t does not disturb you at
ALL"
Granted. We settled that matter long
ago. The cheerful sound of the-instrument
inspirt 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 lift when | come
across anything which don't understand .
6 Well, then, why do you fret !"
. 1t Is rot on my account but on your
own. 1t seems to me that you are wasting
your time. to practise so much as you do
You play III mastery manner now: and
by employing all your evenings in study
you might learn great deal that wonld bi
OF some practical use to you as farmer"
20, like to mipgle the agreeable with
the useful, 10 fiddle nine eghths Of the even
ing, and study the remaining fifth, as Pat
rick ODougherty says. Besides, who knows
but fddling may be useful to me some time
or other? may live to get my bread by it. y
Poor Harry Duncan he thought that his
" words would never come true.n He was q
light headed, volatile, generous youth, tbs
destined heir of a rich uncle, the favorite son
his father, furnishing farmer in Ayrshire
There was not more popular or more
promising youth in all Scotland Not even
his staid and studious brother james was
more highly esteemed in their native village
All hearts warmed at the sight IF his merry
face and the ring OF his cheerful laugh and
right rrosperonsly did he 90 on for manv a
long year. He inherited his unee's estate.
a fine, well stocked farm, and was at once
placed in state of comfortable Independence.
James, who had not the naturally fine parts
and popular address of his brother, was one
of your persevering, plodding youths, who,
while his brother was learning to play upon
the violin, was seriously addressing himsel!
to the study of scientific agriculture. He
learned great many things respecting the
chemistry of soils and plants and the alter
alton of crops, by studying attentivels every
new work which came out on any of these
subjects and finally became satisfied he
could increase very greatly the products of
Z.
On proposing some of his improvem ents to
his father. he found that it is easier to con
vince ones self of the possibility of scheme
than to induce others to adopt it. The old
farm r was highly indignant at the son s pre-
suming to teach him the art which he had
been all his life practising; and he inconti.
nently told him to carry his 4" book notions"
to another market. Being a rather high
cpiritp1 th md r - -.
gracious speech was made, James took his
father at his word and began to make pre-
parations for leaving home. This was lust
not only his real estate, but ali his personal
property to Harry.
Coming into his brothers. room one morn.
ing, and finding him packing his trunk very
diligently. be accosted him with" Hullo p!
what now? Going journey?'
Yes, Harry. a long one, = replied James.
sedately.
Indeed! What has started you off now
brother, and whittier are you going?n
g will tell You, Harry" he said, closing
his trunk and sitting composedly down on
the lid. g You must know that this morn
ing, having very respectfully suggested to
father some change in regard to manuring
that field which is intended fer wheat next
season. he took my remarks in high dndgeon.
scolded away half an hour at me, blamed
me for pretending to learn farming from
books, and finally told me had better take
my book notions to another market Now,
as | can do that thing, | think. on the whole,
| will"
&c no, brother, you won't do so hasty and
unkind a thing. You'll think better Of it.u
Harry, | hate to leave you-that S fact.
We have been more than brothers. We have
always been friends. But go must
Harry put both hands to his face. bowed
down his head on the table, and went like a
child. Tears filed the eyes of James, too !:
but be was firm in bis purpose. Recovering
IN some measure from his agitation, Harry
said, . Where do you propose to go, and how
are you provided for the ad, enture?"
" mean. " replied James, g to go to Amer
lea, and l have money enough to pay my pas
sage and support me year after my arrival" :"
: What is your plan of operation ~
mean to earn money enough to buy
some land; and then | will see if there is any
virtue in my book notions"
pray ycu, james, do not act so hastily
so madly. There is no occasion for it. Stay
with US. You will share the same as mvself
IN what father may leave. There are but
two Why part? Why be wanderer and
exile, when ycu have a comfortable home.
and good prospectof future independence be-
:, 1t Is of no use to talk about it. Harry y
replied james, who, in fact. expeeted moth
ing by way of inheritance from his father
but still had too much delieacy to wopnd his
brother by saying so. You know love
yon, Harry, and would gladly stav with Won.
but know also where am going and what
!" AT least. then," said Harry nIf Won
VIII 60, let me smooth your way a little y
And SO saying be sat down and wrote a cheek
Tor To- all the ready money in his bankers
hands, the boarded savings-in fact nearly
all the personal estate Of his Kind pncle
to sum which would sufice ~
purchase his brother fine tract of fert;le
land IN America, This he banded 70 lanes
tue moment he bad signed it. :
" | cannot take il. Harry"
ou mas.-yon shall takeit. Twill have
no DENIAL Fortune has been unjust to YOU.