The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-10-24
The Poor Musician and His Mate.
One beautiful summer day there was


park is called BY the people, the Psatel
It is full of lovely trees, splendid walk
and little rustic pleasure houses.
| At the time Of which I am speaking, ther
weropeople theresome young and some old
and many strangers, too. All these wh'
were there enjoyed such a scene as the
had probably never beheld. Be that as
may, the Prater was almost covered will
the crowds Of people. Among the nun
Der, were the organ grinders, the beggars
and the girls who played on harps. Their
stood an old musician. He had once beer
asoIdier, but his pension wasnot enough t.
live On. Sill he did not like to beg. There
fore, on this particular festival day, he tool
his violin and played under an old tree il
the park lie had a good, faithful doe
With him, which lay at his feet; and hs
held an cid hat in his mouth, SO that {
pagser-by might cast coins into 1t for tht
! poor cid man.
On the day of the festival which I have
mentioned, the dog sat before him with
abe old hat. Many people went by anc
heard the old musician playing, but they
didn't throw much ia. | wonder the PEG
pie did not give him more, for he was truly
a pitiable object. His face was covered
with scars, received in hiscoantry 8 battles,
and he wore long grey coat, such az he
had kept ever since he had been IN the
army. lie even had his old sword by his
side, and would not eonsentto walk in the
street without carrying his rusty friend
with him. He had only three fingers on
his right hand, SO he had to hold the bow
Of the violin with these. A bullet had tax
en- oil the two other, and almost al the
same time cannon hall had taken off one
leg. The last money he had lad boon
spent in buying new strings for his violin,
and he was now playing with all his strength,
the old marches he had learned when boy
with his father.
He looked sad enough, as he saw the
multitude pass by in their strength and
youth and beauty; but whenever they
laughed it was like dagger to his soul,
for he knew that very evening he would go
to bed supperless, hungry as lie was, and
lie on q straw couch, in q little garretroom
His old dog was better off, for he had often
found bone here and there, to satisfy the
cravings Of hunger. It was late in the
afternoon, his hopes were almost like the
sun-they were both going down together.
He had placed his old violin down by his
side, and leaned against an old tree. The
tears streamed down his Scared cheek.
He thought that none Of that giddy crowd
saw him, but he was much mistaken.
Not far Of stood 3 gentleman in fine
Clothes who had a kind heart. He listen
ed to the old musician, and when be saw
that no one gave him anything, his heart
was touched with sympathy. He finally
went to the dog, and looking into The hat
saw only two little copper coins in it. He
then said to the old inusician
"Niy good friend why don't you play
longer" con" replied the old man,
'snly dear sir I cannot; my poor old arm
is 50 tired that I cannot hold the bow /;
besides, I have had no dinner, and have
little prospect for supper"
The old man wiped his feeble hands.
The kind gentleman with whom he had
talked resolved to aid him as best he could.
He gave him a piece ofgold and said:
"l'll pay you that if you'll loan NE your
violin for an. hour"
"Oh,,' said the musician, s'this piece of
money is worth more than halfa dozen old
fddles like mine"
aNever mind, said the gentleman, Il
only want to hire it one hour"
Every well, you can do what you viii, .
said the owner.
The gentleman took the fiddle and bow
in his hands, and then said tothe old man:
''Now, my mate, you take the money,
and will play. am quite sure people
will give US something"
| The strange gentleman began to play.
His matelooked at him with great wonder;
he was 50 stirred, that he could hardly
believe that it was his old violin that such
| beautiful sounds came from. Every note
was like pearl. The first piece had not
been finished, before the people observing
the stranger, and hearing such wonderful
music stopped moment in curiosity.
Every one saw that gentleman was play
ing tor the poor old man, but none knew
who he was.
By-and-by the people began to DROP
money into the hat, and the old dog seem
ed delighted to receive so many pieces Of
gold for his master. The circle of hear
ers become larger. Even the coachmer
Of the splendid carriages begged the PEG
pie inside to stop and hear the music
Still the money increases. Gold, silver
and copper were throwu into the hal
by old and young. Thedog began to growl
| What in the world could be the matter
One gentleman, as be dropped a large
piece Of money into the hat, had struck
him On the nose, and he came very neal
letting the hat and money fall. But i
soon became 50 heavy that he could holG
it no longer.
Empty your hat, old man. said The
people, ''and We will Gil it again for you. ;
He pulled out an old handkerchief
wrapped the money IN it, and put it OF
his violin bag.
The stranger kept on playing, and the
people cried out, Bravo .bravo!" in grea
joy. He played one tame, and then anoth
er-even the children seemed carriedaway
| with rapture At last he played tina
splendid song, Good bless the the Empe
ror Francis" AL hats and caps few Of
their heads, for the people loved their En-
peror. The song finally came to Close
the hour was ended-and the musician
handed back the violin to the old man.
Thank you, said be- "oIay Cod bles'
,-o,, - IL l.. -, t,a o..o,r1