Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-03-25
THE PROMISE THAT WAS KEPT.

themselves in making music after the hard
ships of the day. There was a pause in
their music, but no sooner had they ceased
playing than they heard an old man play
| ing violin beneath their window in the
street. They went to the window and
looked out, watching him until he ceased
! playing One of them threw out little
piece of money, and said to him, laughing:
"Here, poor Peter, this is all We have
now, come again some other day"
"Yes," said another, ''come again year
from now"
d" Then we will give you little house
for present." said the third.
: Yes, in the middle of garden" said
the fourth.
| The old man was struck with wonder at
such promise, His long hair shone
brightly in the light of the lantern which
hung over neighboring restaurant. He
looked up to the window and said after
moments reflection Young people are
you in earnest with me in what you say |
hope you are not making light of an old
II an %
Indeed we are in earnest" replied Err
nest, in an excited voice; and his thIee
companions called upon God to witness
their seriousness.
Farewell, then," replied the old man
Il take my leave of you. One year from
to- day. at this hour, expect me to come
and play a tune beneath this window
Farewell; may the Almighty One whose
name you have called upon, bless you in
your kindness p
The old man went off after invoking this;
blessing upon them. The students clos
ed the window, took their instruments
in their hands, and after playing three or
four lively tunes seemed to forget all that
had occurred. Ernest said to them, how
ever, after the space Of half an hour:
You seem to be very quiet. | cannot be,
for | have made promise that | would
give something which | had not got"
What promise? p inquired one of the
light hearted companions.
"The promise of a house and garden"
A loud laugh was the response that he
met with, and the students separated.-
They met again on the following evening,
and during their interview Ernest sailed
their attention to the promise of the night
before. They made light of him, and told
him that he was foolish to pay any atten-
ton to it. Then, said he, - don't see
where your consciences are, if you can
make promise and break your word.'
Glow can we fulfill any promise of that
kind 2" said Christopher. "Our parents
are all poor, and have more than they can
do to send us to the university. How
can they help US TO buy house and gar
den for foolish old man ?" Good night,
comrades. wish you as pleasant sleep
as / shall have!"
But this kind of argument did not az
feet Ernest much, for he could not help
thinking that he was compelled to keep
his bargain. He was the poorest Of the
group for his mother was plain widow,
and she made her living by washing. The
promise he made deeply affected him and
he left the university for week, so that
he might go home and tell his mother the
pledge he had made the old musician
After be had told her she replied: Keep
it my son, keep it if it costs you your life"
THAT is what l will try to do, mother.
and hope shall have your prayers"
Ernest returned to the university and
told his friends they must seriously think
of buying the old man house and garden.
He went into a neighboring village one
day, and found that he could get a neat
little house and garden for two thousand
guineas That was large sum for those
poor students to think Of paying, but thro-
the influence of Ernest the other three be
came convinced that it was their duty to
keep their promise. The four resolved
that in one year from the time the pledge
was made, the old maa should have his
house and garden if it WAS in their power
TO get them for him.
They must leave. the universlty-a sad
proceeding for them. They came to the
conclusion to go through the country, and
give little concerts; for really this appear
ed the only way possible to gain any mon-
ey. Even by pursuing tins course there
appeared TO be poor prospect to get so
large sum. Still they resolved to do
their best. They closed their books and
put their instruments into little bags and
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, 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 on, and the stu
dents slowly proceeded on their way
Their expenses were not heavy, but their
income was certainly very small too. Nine
months and half had passed by, and still
they had but little over seven hundred
guilders. 1t was question with them
how the remaining thirteen hundred could
be raised They were spending one day
at country town, and noble living in
large castle few miles distant, was seek
ing musicians to attend the wedding of his
daughter who was to be married in three
or four days Fortunately enough for the
students, the nobleman employed them for
the occasion Tue marriage ceremony
took place, aud by and by it was time for