The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-04-16
Misffllantnus.
KEEP YOUR WORD.

ONE evening four German students
at the university were enjoying them
selves in an upper room of little hotel.
They had four instruments and were
employing themselves in making mu
sic, after the hard labors of the day
There was a pause in their music, but
no sooner had they ceased playing, than
they heard an old man playing violin
beneath their window, in the street.
They went to thei: window and looked
out, watching him until he ceased play
ing. One of them threw out little
piece of money, and said to him laugh
ingiy:
"Here, poor Peter, that is all we have
for you now; come again some other
time" .-
"Yes," said another, "come again in a
year from now"
"Then we will give yeu little house
for a present, >. said the third.
"Yes, in the middle of a 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 out at the neigh
boring restaurant. He looked up to
the window, and said, after a moments
reflection:
"Young people, are you in earnest
what you say to me? l hope you are
not making light of an old man."
"Indeed, we are in earnest" replied
Ernest, with excited voice: and his
three companions called upon God to
witness their seriousness.
Farewell, them" replied the old
man, 81 take my leave of you. One
year from to-day, at this same hour, eX-
pect me to come and play a tune be-
meath this window. Farewell, may the
Almighty One whose name you have
called upon, bless you in your kind
ness"
The old man went Off, after invoking
this blessing upon them. The students
closed the window, took their instru'
ments 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 halfan hour, "You seem
to be very quiet; ] cannot be, for have
made promise that would give some
thing which l have not got"
"What promise?" asked one Of his
light-hearted companions.
"The promise of Il house and garden
A loud laugh was the response that hi
met with; and the students separated
They met again on the following even
ing, and, during the interview, Ernes
called to mind the promise of the
; night before. They made light of him
. and told him that he was foolish to pay
any more attention to it. Then, salt
he, 81 don't see where your conscience
are, if you can make Il promise ant
break your word"
: "How can you fulfil any promise o
that kind?n said Christopher. sou
parents are all poor, and have NOR
than they can do to send us to the uni
versity. How then can they help us t
buy house and garden for foolisl
old man? Good night, comrades,
wish you rs pleasant sleep MS shal
have"
But this kind of argument did no
affect Ernest much, for he could no
help thinking that he was compelled I
keep his bargain. He was the poores
y, one of the group, for his mother was
= plain widow, and she made her livin
by washing. The promise that he ha
20 made deeply affected him, and he lie
the university for a week, 50 that /
might go home and tell his mother I'll
T. pledge that he had made TO the old M
sician. After he had told her, she r
piled: "Keep it my son keep it, if
r. costs your life"
,s- "fhat is what will try to do, mot
or; and | hope | shall have yol
80 prayers"
- Ernest returned to the university, ,aI
told his friends that they must think S
riously of buying the old man a hou
aud garden. He went to neighboriI
village one day, and found that he cou
get u n eat little house end garden I