The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-06-14
SELECT STORY.
The f'O0r Musician.

emma. 1his park Is called by the people
the Prater. 1t is full of lovely trees,
splendid walks, and little rustic pleasure
houses. AT the time of which l am
speaking there were people there, some
old, and many strangers, too. And all
those who were there enjoyed such
scene as they had probably never be.
held before.
Be that as it may, the Prator was al
most covered with the crowds of people.
Among the number were the organ
grinders, beggars, and girls who played
on the harps. There stood an old mu-
sician. lie had once been a soldier,
but his pension was not enough to live
on. Still ho didn't like to beg. There
fore on this particular festival day he
took his old violin and played under an
old tree in the park. He had good
faithful old dog along with him, which
lay at his feet, and held an old hat in
his mouth, so that passers-by might cast
coins into it for the old man.
On the day Of the festival which l
have now mentioned, the dog sat before
him with the old hat. Many people
went by and heard the old musician
playing, but they did not throw much
in. l wonder the people did not give
him more, for he was truly a pitiablc
object.
His face was covered with scars re.
eeivcd in his country's battles, and he
wore long, gray coat, such as he had
kept ever since he had been in the ar
my. He even had his old sword by his
side, and would not consent to walk the
streets without his trusty 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
taken off the two others, and almost at
the same time cannon ball had taken
off his left leg. The last money he had
had beer spent in buying new strings to
his violin, and he was now playing with
all his strength the old marches he had
so often heard when boy with his
father.
He looked sad enough as he saw the
multitude pass by in their strength,
youth and beauty, but whenever they
laughed it was like dagger to his soul,
for he knew that on that very evening
he would have to 90 to bed supperless,
hungry as he was, and lie on a straw
couch in little garret room. His old
dog was better off, for he often found a
bone here and there to satisfy his hun.
ger.
1t was late in the afternoon-his
hopes were like the sun, they were both
going down together. He placed his
old violin down by his side, and leaned
against tree. The tears streamed
down his Scared cheeks. He thought
that none Of the giddy throng saw him,
but he was much mistaken. Not tar
off stood a gentleman in fine clothes,
who had a kind heart. He listened tC
the old musician, and when he saw that
no one gave him anything, his heart
was touched with sympathy. He final
ly went to the dog, and looking at the
hat he only saw two copper coins in it.
He then said to the old musician
"my good friend, why don't you play
longer?"
son." replied the old man, "my
dear sir, cannot my poor old arm II
80 tired that | cannot hold the bow
besides, have had no dinner, and have
little prospects of supper"
The old man wiped his feeble hands
The kind gentlemen with whom he haC
talked resolved to aid him as he bes
could. He gave him piece of gold
and said, "Ill pay you, if you will loar
me your violin for an hour
"Oh," said the musician, this piece
of money is worth more than half {
dozen old fddlcs like mine"
"Never mind" said the gentleman
81 only want to hire it one hour"
Very we'll; you can do what you
%ill," said the owner.
The gentleman took the fiddle and
bow in his hands, and then said to the
old man, Now, my mate, you take tn,
money and / will play. | am quit
sure people will give us something"
Now was not that singular musica
association? They had just become ac
quainted, and Immediately entered int
an arrangement to work together for tn
public. The strange gentleman bega
to play. His mate looked at him wit
great wonder he was so stirred that h
could hardly believe it was his old vic
lin that such beautiful sounds cam
from. Every note was like a pearl, Th
first piece had not been finished befor
the people, observing the strange sigh
and hearing such wonderful music
stopped a moment in curiosity. Ever.
one saw that the fne.looking gentleman
was playing for the poor man, but non
knew who he was.
BY and by the people began to droI
money into the hat, and the old do;
seemed delighted to receive so man,
pieces Of gold for his master. The cir
Gle Of hearers became larger, Even tn
coaehmen OF the splendid carriages beg