Maryland free press., 1866-12-06
The Promise that was Kept.

upper room of little hotel. They had
four instruments, ,and were employing them
selves in making music after the labors of
the day were over. There was pause in
their music, but no sooner had they ceas-
ed playing than theyl heard an old man
playing violin under the window in the
street. One of them threw out little
piece of money, and said to him. laughing:
"Here. poor Peter, this is all we have fer
you now, come again some other time.
"Yes," said another, "come again in
year from now"
"Then VIC will give you little house
for present." said third.
Eyes, in the middle Of garden" said
the fourth.
The old man was struck with wonder at
such promise. His long white hair shone
brightly in the light of the lanterns which
hung ou. at a neighboring restaurant. He
ooked up to the window and said, after a
moments reflection: "Young people are
you in earnest in what you say to me? I
hope you are not making light of an old
man."
Indeed we are in earnest" replied Err
nest, with excited voice and his three
companions called upon God to witness
their seriousness. -..
Farewell, then" replied the old man;
II take my leave of you. One year from
to-day, at this same hour, expect me to
come and play under your window. Fare
well; may the Almighty One, whose name
you have called upon, bless you in your
kindness!"
The old man went off after invoking this
blessing upon them. The students closed
the window. took Their instruments again
in their hands, and after having played
three or four lively tunes seemed to forget
all that had occurred. Ernest said to them
however, after the space of about half an
hour, "You seem to be very quiet; can
not be, for have made promise that I
would give something which I have not
got"
"What promise p answered one Of his
companions.
"The promise Of house and garden, +"
said he.
A loud laugh was the response that he
met with, and the students separated
They met again on the following evening,
and during the interview Ernest called to
mind the promise of the night. They
made light of him, and told him that he
was foolish to pay any mere attention to it.
Then, said he, Il don't see where your
censciences are, if you can make promise
and break your word"
"How can we fulfill a promise of that
kiud?' said Christopher. "Our parents
are all poor, and have more than they can
do to send us to the univers ity. How then
can they help us to buy a house and gar
den for foolish old man? Good night,
comrades, I wish you as pleasant sleep
as shall have"
But this kind of argument did not affect
Ernest much, for he could not help think
ing that he was compelled to keep his bar
gain. He was the poorest one of the group
for his mother was plain widow, and she
made her living by washing. The prom
Use that he made, deeply affected him. and
he left the university for week, so that he
might 60 home and tell his mother the
pledge that be had made to the old musi-
clan. After he had told her, she replied:
keep it. my son; keep it, if it cost you
your life."
Ernest returned to the university and
told his friends that they must seriously
think of buying the old man house aud
garden. He went to neighboring village
one day. and found that he could get a
neat littl, no Use and garden for two thou
sand guldens. That was large sum for
those poor students to think of paying, but
throughlthe influence of Ernest the other
three gradually became convinced that ii
was their duty to keep their promise. The
four resolved that in one year from the
time the pledge was made, the old man
should have his house and garden. If it
was in their power to give it to him.
They must leave the university sad
proceeding for them. They came to the
conclusion to go through the country, and
give little concerts;for really this appeared
to them to he the only way possible to gain
any money. Even by pursuing this course
there appeared to be a poor prospect to get
large sum Still they resolved to do
their best. They closed their books put
their instruments in little bags, and set out
on foot to give concerts in the villages
through which they might pass. Ernest,
before Ieayin0 exacted promise of the