Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-06-07
THE POOR MUSICIAN AND HIS MATE.

THE POOR MUSICIAN AND HIS MATE.
One beautiful summer lay there
was great Festival in tho large park
at riy,:. ri,,s This park is callci by
the people tho pra,er. 1t Is .".. ."! OF
lovely trees, splendid walks, and little
rustic pleasure houses. At the tirc
OF which l am speaking there We're
people there, some young and some
old, and many strangers too And
oil those wlo %cre there enjoyed
such a scene as they had probably
never beheld before. BE that as it
may, the prater was almost covered
with the crowds of people. Among
the number we're orgau-grinders,
beggars, and girls who played harps.
There stood an old musician. H.
had once been a soldier, but his pen
sion was not enough TO 1.-Two on. Sill
he did not like to beg; therefore par
ticular festival days he took his vio-
lin and played under an old tree in
the park. He had a good, faithful
old dog along with him which lay at
his feet and held an old hat in his
mouth so that passers by might cast
coins in it for the poor old man.
On the day of the festival which
have now mentioned, tho dog sat
before him with the old hat. Many
people went by and hoard the old
musician playing, but they didn't
throw much IN. I wonder the people
did not give him more, Tor he was Il
pitiable object. His face was covered
with scars received in his country's
battlss:a and be wore long gray coat,
such as he bad 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 strocts
without carrying his trusty f,iend
with him. Hc had only three fn-
gers on his right hand, 80 he had to
hold the bow IF his vio in with these.
and almost at the samo time can
pon ball had taken off his left leg
The last money ho had, had been
spent in buying new strings for his
violin, and be was now play ing with
all his strength tho old marches h,
had 90 often when boy with his
father. He looked sad enough as he
saw tho multi;udcs pass by in thcil
strength and youth add beauty, bu'
whenever they laughed, it was like :
dagger to his soul; for be knew Ur
that very evening he would have tt
60 TO bod supperess, and hungry a
he was, and lie on straw couch in :
little garret room. His old dog Wa
better off, for he oftcn found bon
here and there to satisfy the craving
Of his hunger. 1t was late in the af
tsrnoon, his hopes were almost Ink
the sun-they wore both going dow
together. He placed his old viol
down by bis side, and leaning agains
an old treo. The tears streame
down bis SCARED checks. lIe though
mono of the gitdy crowd saw hi"
but he was much mistaken. Not IA
off stood q gentleman in fne clothe
who had a kind heart. He listcnc
to the old musician, and when he 50
that no one gave him any thing, b
heart was touched with sympath.
He finally went to the dog, and look
ing into the hat saw only two lit
copper coins in it. BE then said ,
the old musician /: "My good fricn
why don't you play longer
"Ob," replied tho old man, "m
dear sir, l cannot my poor arm is {
tired that cannot hold the bow; b.
sides, have had no dinner, and ha,
little prospect of supper"
The-old man wiped his face wi
his feeble hands. The kind gentl
man with whom be talked resolved
aid him as best he could. He ga
him piece Of gold and said:
f1]i pay you, if you will loan I
gour violin for one hour"
90" said the musician, "tbis piec
of money is worth more than half
" dozen old fiddles like mine"
"Never mind," said the gentlcma
nI only want to hire it for one houl