Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-10-18
The Poor Musician and His
VI a to.

One beautiful summer day there was a
great festival in the large park at Vienna.
This park is called by the people the Pra-
ter. 1t is full of lovely trees, splendid
walks, and little rustic pleasure houses.
At the time Of which [ am speaking,
there were people there; some young and
some Old, and many strangers, too All
those who were there enjoyed such a
scene as they had probably never beheld
BE that as it may. the Prater was almost
covered with the crowds of people Am
ong the number were organ grinders, the
beggars, and the girls who played on harps.
There stood an old musician. He had
once been soldier, but his pension was
not enough to live on. Still he did not
like to beg. Therefore, on this particular
festival day, he took his violin and played
under an old tree in the park. He had
a good faithful old dog with him, which
lay at his feet; and he held an old hat in
his mouth, so that the passer-by might
cast coins in it for the poor old man.
On the day of the festival which | have
mentioned, the dog sat before him with
the old hat. Many people went by and
heard the old man playing, but they did
not throw much in. [ wonder the people
did not give him more, for he was truly
a pitiable object His face was covered
with scars received in his country's battles,
and he wore long gray coat, such as he
had kept ever since he had been in the
army. He even had his old sword by his
side, and would not consent to walk in 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 the violin with these. A bullet had ia
ken off the two others-and almost at the
same time a cannon ball had taken off one
of his legs. The last money he had had
been spent in buying new strings for his
violin, and be was now playing with all
his strength the old marches he had learn
ed when boy with his father. He look
ed sad enough as he saw the multitude
pass by i'll their strength, and youth, and
beauty; but whenever they laughed, it
was like a dagger to his soul, for he knew
that very evening he would 60 to bed sup
PEERLESS, hungry as he was, and lie on a
straw couch, in little garnet room.-
His old dog was better off, for he had often
found a 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.
lie had placed his old violin down by his
side and leaned against an old tree The
tears streamed down his Scared cheeks
He thought that none of that giddy crowd
saw him, but he was much mistaken.
Not far off stood gentleman in fine
clothes, who had a kind heart. He listen
ed to the old musician, and when he 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 musician:
"Ny good friend, why don't you play
longer.
"Oh," replied the old man, smy dear
sir, | cannot; my poor old arm is SO tired
that | cannot hold the bow; besides, [
have no dinner, and have little prospect
of supper"
The old man wiped bis feeble hands
The kind gentleman with whom he had
talked resolved to aid him as best he could
He gave him piece of gold, and said
"pll pay you that if you'll loan me
your violin for an hour"
ooh said the musician, ''this piece of
money is worth more than half dozen
old fddles like mine"
s'Never mind" said the gentleman, II
only want to hire it one hour"
VERY well, you can de what you will, +"
said til owner
The gentleman took the fiddle and bow
in his hands, and then said to the old man:
snow, my mate, you take the money,
and | will play | am quite sure people
will give us something"
The strange gentleman began to play.
His mate looked at him with a great won