The Van Buren press., 1866-10-05
The Poor Musician and his Nate.


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 And
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 crowds of people. Among
the number were the organ grinders, the
girls who played on harps. There stood
an old musician. He had once been q
soldier, but his pension was not enough
to live on. Still he did not like to beg
Therefore, upon this particular festival.
day, he took his old 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 passer-by might cast
coins into 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 musician playing, but they
uiV HOt tHiOW HuCu Ill. NOuuci tIc
people did not give him more, for he was
truly pitiable object. His face was COW
cred with scars, received in his country's s
battles, and he wore long grey 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 taken 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 viclin, and
he was now playing with all his strength,
the old marches he had learned when q
boy with his father He looked sad en-
ough, as he saw the multitude pass by in
their strength, youth and beauty; but,
whenever they laughed, it was like dag
ger to his soul, for he knew that very
evening he would go to bed supperless,
hungry as he was, and lie on straw
couch in little garret room. His old
dog was better OIL, for he had occasion
ally found bone here and there, to sat
isfy the cravings Of hunger. 1t was late
in the afternoon, his hopes were almost
III" tho sun--they were hoth .gning down
together lie ntu placed his old violin
down by his side, and leaned against an
old tree. The tears streamed down his
SCARED cheeks. lie thought 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 lis
tened 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
"My good friend, why don't you play
longerY'
"Oh, my dear sir," replied the old man,
:" / cannot; my poor arm is so tired that
| cannot hold the bow; besides, have
had no dinner, and have little prospect
for supper c
The old man wiped his feeble hands
The kind gentleman with whom he talk
ed, resolved to aid him as best he could.
He gave him piece Of gold and said
"Tll pay you that, if you'll loan me
your violin for an hour"
"Oh!' said the musician, this piece
of money is worth more than dozen
old flddles like nine"
"Never mind" said the gentleman, !
only want to hire it one hour"
"Very well, you can do what you will" )"
replied the owner.
The gentleman took the fiddle and bow
in his hands, and then said to the old
man:
"Now, my mate, you take the money,
and l will play. am quite sure people
will give us something"
The strange gentleman began to play.
His mate looked at him with great won.
DER he was so stirred that he could
hardly believe 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, OBJ
serving the strange sight, and hearing
such wonderful music, stopped mo-
ment in curiosity. Every one saw that
the fine looking gentleman was playing
for the old man, but none knew who he
was
BY -and-by, the people began to drop
money into the hat, and the old dog
seemed delightedto receive so many pie
ces of gold for his master. The circle
of hearers became larger and larger.
Even the coachmcn Of the splendid car
rigges begged the people inside to stop
and hear the music Still the money in.
creased. Gold, silver and copper were
thrown into the hat by old and young
The dog began to growl
What in the world could be the mat
terI One gentleman, as he dropped I
large piece Of money in the hat, had hi
him on the nose, and he came very neal
lott;r1, tho hot ond monov fall Rut Il