New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-10-01

ets1ASttA laO &3N tfsG, OCTOBER i, 1866.
Tee Roor Musician and HIS Mate.
One beautiful summer day there vas . great
FESTIVAL ID the large park at Vienna. This park is
called by the people the Prater Ii is full of /
adpeig trees, splendid walks ana 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
guell a scene as they had probably never beheld. |
te tsaf as it may, the Prater was almost covered
agitil Tue crowds Of people. Among the number,
eEe the organ grinders, the heggars, and the girls
who played on harps. There stood an old nusi- |
clan. He had once been soldier, but his pension
was net enough to live Stilfhe did not like to
beg Therefore, on this particular festival day he
Scuk his violin and played under an old tree in the
park, He had good, faithful old dog with him,
which lay at bis feet; and he held an old hat in
III for the poor old man.
0n the day of the festival which have men
toned, the dog sat before him with the old hat
Many penple went by and heard the old musician
playing, but they didn't throw much IN. wonder
the people did not give him more, for he was truly
g piiaRle object. His face was covered with
ssscsrs4 received in his oonntrys battles, and he
wore long grey coats such as he had kept ever
since he had been in the army. He even had his
old sword by las side. and would not consent to
walk id the street without carrying his trusty
friend with hn. He had only three fingers on his
right band 80 he had 10 hold the bow Of the yio-
lin with these, a bullet had taken off the two
Others, and almost at the same time cannon ball
had taken OH one of his legs, The last money
Ae had had been spent in buying new strings for
21fs violin, and he was now playing with all his
Strength, the old marches he had learned when
s3oF with his father.
He looked sad enough, as be saw the multitude
pass by in Their strengt and youth and beauty but
whenever they laughed ii was like dagger to his
soul for he knew shat very evening he would go
70 bed supFefless, hungry as he was, and lie on
straw couch, in a little garret ROOM His old deg
was better off, for he cad often found q bone here
and there, to satisfy the cravings Of hunger. It
was late in the afternoon, his hopes were almost
like THE sIn--they were both going down together.
He had placed his old violin down by his side, and
leaned against an old tree. The tears sreamed
down his Scared cheeks. He thought that none
nj tbaf gddy crowd saw him, but he was much
mistaken.
Not far OF stood q gentleman in fine clothes,
who had q kind heart He listened to the old
musician, ank when he saw that no one gave him
anything, his heart was touched with sympathy.
He iilalIy went to5 the dog, and looking into the
hat, saw only two little copper coins in it. He
tnen said to the old musician.
e My good friend, why don't you play longer2'i
On replied the old man, my dear sir, |
cannot my poor old arm is SO tired that cannot
K nave little prospectIor supper.
The old man wiped his feeble hands. The kind
gentleman with whom he had talked resolved to
aid hinnas best he could. He gave him piece Of
gold and said:
IN pay you that # you'ltIoan me your violin
FOR an hour
rs worth more than half dozen old fddles Ikt
mlne.''
NeFernin said the gentleman, I onll
want I'd hireit one hour
= Very wen, you can do what you will, Y sait
sie owner
The gentleman took the fiddle and bow in h
hands, and then said to the old man:
owl my mate, You take the money, and ]
vail play 4 I am quite sure people will give u'
something. II
Tie strange gentleman began to play. His mate
" ,f hnf1v
ssed that he could hardly believe tRat it was his
siid violin that such Beautiful sounds came from
Every note was NE pearl; The first piece had
net seen finished, before the people-obserying
She strange sight, and hearing such wonderful
Hausic-stopped moment in curiosity. Every one
aaNH shat the dne looking gentleman was playing
sssgsss.
s3y.znd-by the people began 10 drop money into
Ehe hat, and the old dog seemed delighted to re-
sceive SO many pieces of gold for his master. The
circle Of hearers become larger. Even the coach
sDBn Of the splendid carriages begged the peo-
pie inside to stop and hear the music. Still the
money increases, Gold, silver and copper were
thrown into the hat by old and young. The dog
s4SegAgt TO grolYl
What ID the world could be the matter2 One
gentleman, as he dropped large piece of money
8sasa the hat had struck him on the nose and he
came very near letting the hat and 1noneyfaIl.
Bat II soon became 50 heavy that he could hold it
mo longer.
Empty your hat, old man, said the people,
and we Will fill it again for you.n
He pulled ont an Old handkerchief, wrapped tile
money ins IT, and put it on his violin bag.
The stranger Kept on playing, and the people
cried out !. Bravo! bravo!3 in great joy H(
yntayed one tune, and then another--eyen the chill
dren seemed carried away with rapture, AT las
he played that splendid song, God bless thu
Emperor Erancis.t All hats and caps few OF
their heads, for the people loved their emperor
THE song finally came to a elose-the hour wal
ended-and the musician handed back the violin tc
the old man.
stThank you, I, said he isSIay God bless you,
and he disappeared in the crowd.
ssWllo is he? who ia he?W said the people
g Where does he come from n
certain person sitting In one Of the coache
said
know him It is Alexander Boucher, the ais
thai old man needed assistance, and he determine
70 help him in the best way he could.h
The people then gave three cheers for Bonchel
an nut more money in the old man & hat
When he went home that evening he was richie
than he ever was before When he went to BED
He folded his hands and prayed that God Nigh
bless good Boucher, SO that when he became a
old man he might have good friends
There were two happy men that nightin Vienns
Of course the Foor old musician rejoieed, now tha
he was out OF want: but of more value to hir
than all bis money was the consolation that some
q body had proved friend to him. For it does 4
al good to know that we have friends-eye
5hough they are of no further advantage to u!
There was another that was happy, and that wa
the good Boucher. How could he 60 to bed tha
might without thanking God for putting it in h
fAeartto be kind to the old, friendess, starvn
aolder2
1liuer eSntelIigeatt.