The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-03-19
A Promise that was kept.

| hHrd liDOrS Oi The day. here was q
pause in their music, but no sooner had
they ceased playing than they heard an
old man playing a violin beneath the win
dow in the street. They went to the win
dow and looked out, watching him until
he had ceased playing One of them
threw out little piece of money, and
said 10 him, laughing: "IIere, poor
Peter, this is all we have for you now !;
come again some other time"
"les," said another, "comc again in n
year from now"
"rhen we will give you a little house
for present." said the third.
"Yes, in the middle of Il garden," said
the fourth.
The old man was struck with wonder
at such promise. Ills long white hair
shone brighter in the light Of the lanterns
which hung out at neighboring restau-
rant. He looked up to the window and
said. after moments reflection: Young
people are you in earnest in what you say
to me? | hope you are not making light
of an old man.
"in1ccd we are in earnest" replied
Ernest, with excited voice: and his three
companions ca led upon God to witness
their seriousness.
'Farcwll them" replied the old man
81 take my leave Of you One year from
to day, at this same hour, expect me to
come and play tune beneath this window
Farewell; 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. cannot be, for have made
promise that would give something
which have not got.
"What promise 7" answered one of lis
lighthcartcd companions.
"Ihc promise Of Il house and garden. ="
a loud laCgh was the response that he
met with, and the students separated
They met agin on the following evening,
and during their interview Ernest called
to mind the promise of the night before.
They made light Of him, and told him
that he was foo'i'h to pay any more attcn.
ton TO it. Then, said lie: 81 don't see
where your conscicnccs are, if you can
make II promise and break your word"
"lIow can we fulfill any promise of
that kind I" said Christopher "Our
parents are all poor and have no more
than the can do to send US to the univcr
sity. How then can they help US to buy
a house and a garden for a foolish ol ! man?
Good night, comrades; | wish yon rs
pleasant a 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 hiA bar
gam. He was the poorest one OF the
group, for his mother was a plain widow,
and she made her living by washing. The
promise that he had made deeply affected
him and he left the university for u week
so that he might 60 home and tell his
mother the pledge that he had made to
the old musician After he had told her
she replied; "Kccp it, my son, keep it,
if 1t costs you your life"
"That is what | shall try to do, mother,
and hope shall have your prayers"
Ernest returned to the university and
told hls friends that they must seriously
think of buying the old man a house and
garden. lie went to Il neighboring vii
lage one day, and found that he could get
neat little house and garden for two
thousand gullcns. 1 hat was large sum
for those poor students to think Of paving,
but through the influence of Ernest, the
other three gradually became convinced
that 1t was their promise. The four re-
solved that in one year from the time the
pledge was made, the old man should
have house and garden, if it was in their
power to get it for him.
They must leave the university-a sad
proceeding for them. They came to The
conclusion 10 90 through the country, and
give concerts; for really this appeared
TO them TO be the only way possible to
gain any money. Even by pursuing this
course there appeared to be poor pros
pect to get large sum. Still they resolved
20 do their hest. They closed their books,
put their instruments in the little bags,
ard set out on foot to give concerts in the
villages through which they might pass
Ernest, before leaving, exacted promise
of the man who owned the house and lot
which he had looked at, that he would
not sell IT under six months to anybody I:
and that if he would promise to take it
at the end of that time he might have it,
though the money need not be paid under
year. Week after week passed by, AMI
the students slowly proceeded on their
way. Their expenses, were not heavy
but their income was certainly small, too.
Nine months and half passed by, and
still they had but little above seven hun
dred guldens 1t was a great question
with them how the remaining thirteen
hundred could be raised. They were
spending one day at n country town, and
nobleman living in large castle few
miles distant was seeking musicians to
attend the wedding of his daughter, who
was to be married in three or four days.
Fortunately cnounh Gnr the stulents tho