Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-06-23
MistfllHMfpMs.
How George Neumark Sung
His Hymn.

The Thirty Years War was over, and
Germany rested from blood. Two years
after the peace young man was living
in one Of the narrowest and filthiest lanes
Of Hamburg. No one visited him, and
all that the people Of the house knew Of
him was that Cor the most part Of every
day he played his violoncelIo with such
skill and expression that they thronged
round his door to catch the music. His
custom was to 60 out about midday and
dine in low restaurant frequented by
bcggars; for the rest he would 60 out in
the twilight with something under his
shabby cloak. and it was always noted
that he paid his bill the day after such
an expedition. This had not escaped the
curiosity Of Mistress Johannsen, his
andlady, and having quietly followed
him one evening, he stopped, to her dis
may, at the shop Of wcll-known pawn
broker. 1t was all plain now; and the
goodnaturcd woman determined 20 help
him if she could.
A few days after, she tapped at his
door, and was filled with pity to find
nothing IN the room but her own scanty
furniture All the rest had been remov-
cd save the well known violoncello, which
stood in the corner Of the window, whilst
the young man sat in the opposite win
dow. corner, his head buried in his
hands.
"Mr. Neumark." said the landlady,
"don't take it i'll that | make so free as
to visit you; but you have not left the
house for two days. and we have had no
music. thought you might be sick. Ii
| conld do anything"
Thank you, my good woman" he an
swcred wearily and with sad gratitude
in his tone. IL am not confined to bed,
and have no fever; but l am ill-yery
ill.,"
surely then you ought to go to bed p
"No," he replied quickly, and blushed
deeply.
"Oh, but you must" cried Mistress
Johannsen ooldly. "Now just allow rae.
LIN an old woman, old enough to be your
mother. and l will just see it your bed
is all right"
Pray don't trouble yourself" he re-
piled, and sprans up quickly before the
bedroom door.
1t was too late, however, for tho good
woman had already seen that there was
nothing but bag Of straw. and that
same shabby mantle in which he made
the evening journeys.
"My good woman" said Neumark,
quickly. "you are perhaps afraid that |
will not pay the next rent; but make
yourself easy; am poor, but honorable.
1t is sometimes hard enough. but | have
never been left utterly destitute yet"
"Mr. Neumark,' she replied. with
some hesitation, and after mastering all
her courage, 1--WE have little ourselves,
but sometimes more than enough-as, for
instance, to-day, and as you have not
been our. if you would allow ME-"
The young mau colored deeply again,
rose from his seat. walked up aud down
the room. and then. with apparent effort,
said, "Y GU are right. l have not eaten
to-day. l."
Without waiting for another word, the
landlady had left the room, and in few
minutes returned laden with dinner.
lyon must not take it ill.," she began,
when dinner was over; "but You are
surely not native of our town. Do
you not know any one here 7"
"No one. l ao, stranger and you
are the first person that has spoken to nc
kindly. May God bless you r.
swell, now if it would not be rude, !
would like to ask you some questions
Who are you? What is your name ?
Where do you come from What is
your business? Are you a musician
Are your parents alive? What are you
doing in Hamburg?"
Brcathless rather than exhausted, she
stopped, and the young man, smiling at
his good.natured ca,echist, began: My
name is George Neumark. My parents
were poor townsfok of Muhlhausen, and
arc both dead. | was born there nine.
and.twenty years ago, on the 10th OF
March. 1921. There have been hard
tin es ever since. and | have had to eat,
and often first to seek my daily bread
with tears. Yet must not be impatient
and murmur and sin against the Lord my
God. l know that he will help me at the
last.
"But how did you think to get your
living" interrupted the landlady.