Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-25
tr1 m Inc NIrihOIlsI
The Poor Musician and his Mate.

One beautiful summer day there was u great
fesJivai IN the rye park Al Vienna. Ihis
park ls called by the people the Prater. lt Is
full of lovely trees splendid walks, and little
rustic pleasure houses. Al the time OF which
| am spe ,kIng there were people there, some
Young and some old. and r-any strangers too
And all those who we're there enjoyed such
scene they had probably never beheid before.
Be that as II may, the PIater was almost Gov
cred with the crowds of people. Among the
number were the organ grinders, beggars, and
grls who played on harps- There stood an
old musician He had once been n soldier, but
his pension nos enough to i've on. Still
he did u I like to beg ; therefore, on this par
tIcular festival day he took his vioiln and
PLAYED under old tree In the park. lie had
"a good faithful old dog along with him which
lay at his feet, and held an Old ha5 In hl7
mouth SO that passers by might cast CONS In
il for the poor old man.
On the day OF the festival which 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 ut throw
much In | wonder the people did not give
him more, for he was truly a pltiabe object.
| His face Was covered with scaro received IN
| his country's battles, ard he wore q long gray
coat, sucn he had kept ever since he had
| been in the army. He even had his old sword
|
the streets without carrying his trusty friend
with him. He had only three fingers on his
right hand, SO he had to hold the bow OF his
violin with these A bullet bad taken off the
| two others and almost at the same time u
cannon bali had taken off his LETT leg The
| last money he had, had been spent Ia buyihS
| new strings for his violin, and he was now
playing with all his strength the old marches
| be had learned SO often when u boy with his
| father He looked sad enough as he saw the
| mulgitudes pass by IN their irength anu youth
| anG beauty, but whenever they laughed 1t was
like a dagger 20 his soul, tor he knew on that
very evening he would have to go to bed sup
perless hungry as he was, and lie on a straw
! couch in i little garfet room. HIS old dog
| WAS better off, Tor he often found a bone here
and there to satisfy the cravings OF hunger
It was late in the afternoon, MS hopes were
almost like the sun-they were both gong
down together. He placed his old violin
down by his side, and leaned against an Ole
tree. The tears streamed down his scarrec
checks lie thought that none of that giddy
crowd saw him, but he was much mistaken
Not far off stood gentleman In fine clothes
who had kind heart. He listened to the Ole
musician, and when ne saw that no one gave
him anything, his heart was touched viii
sympathy. He finally went to the dog. ant
looking into the hat saw only two little coppe
, coins in it. He then said to the old musician
my good friend, why don't you play long
er?'
, "Oh," replied the old man, "my lear, sir
I cannot my poor old arm is so tired that
3 cannot hold the bow besides, have had n
> dinner, and have little prospect OF supper:
The old man wiped his feeble hands In
kind gentleman with whom he talked resolve
D to aid him as best he could. He gave him
piece Of gold, and said,