The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-01-20
AN INCIDENT OF VIENNA.

great 1eSllNul III lllC PstIh ~ ' ANiAiis''
This park is called by the people the Prater.
If is full of lovely trees, fine walks, and little
rustic pleasure-houses. At the time of which
| am speaking it was almost covered with
crowds of people. Among a number of Or
gan grinders. beggars, and girls who played
on harps, there stood an old musician. He
had once been q soldier, but his pension was
not enough to live on. Still he did not like
to beg; therefore. on this particular festival
dav he took his violin and played under
tree in the park. He had a faithful dog with
him, which lay at his feet. and held hat IN
his mouth. 50 that passers-by might cast coins
into it.
On the day we have just mentioned, the
dog sat before him with the old hat Many
people went by and heard the musician play
ing; but they did not help him much. l
wonder the people did not give him more,
for he was truly pitiable object His face
was covered with sears received IN his coun-
try's battles, and he wore a long gray coat
which he had kept ever since he had been IN
the army He even had his old sword by his
side, for he would not walk in the streets
without carving his trusty friend with him.
He had only three fingers on his right hand ;
so that he held the bow of his violin with diff
ficulty. \ bullet had taken off the two 9TH
ers. and almost at the same time cannon
ball had taken off his left leg. The last money
he had had been spent in buying new strings
for his violin, and he was now playing with
all his strength the military airs had learned
when boy with his father He looked sad
enough as he saw the multitude pass by in
their strength. and youth and beauty; for
he knew that if he did not obtain some mon
ey that evening he would have to 60 to bed
supperless His dog was better off; for he
sometimes found a bone here and there to sat
isfy his hunger.
1t was late in the afternoon, the musicians
hopes were almost like the sun-they were
both going down together-and he placed
his violin down by his side, and leaned
against the tree, the tears streaming down
his checks. He thought none of that giddy
crowd saw him, but he was mistaken Not
far off stood a gentleman in fine clothes, who
had kind heart; and when he saw that no
one gave the tattered soldier anything, he
was touched with sympathy Going to til"
dog, and looking into the hat, he saw only
two small copper coins in it Hethen said 'Nly
good friend, why do you not play longer ~
80" replied the old man, MY dear sir, I
cannot, MY arm is so tired cannot hold the
bow; besides I have had no dinner, and |
have little prospect Of supper"
The stranger resolved to aid him as best he
could: and giving him piece of gold said,
Il will pay YOU if you will lend me your vio-
lin for an hour"
49," said the musician. ''ths piece of mon
ey is worth more than half-a dozen tiddles
like mine.'
Never mind," said the stranger; Il only
want it one hour"
every well you can do what you will"
saidthe owner
The gentleman took the fiddle and the bow
in his hands, and then said, Now, you take
the money, and | will play. I am quite sure
the people will give us something"
The first air had not been finished before
the people. observing the strange sight, and
hearing beautiful music, stopped moment
in curiosity. Every one saw the fine looking
stranger was playing tor the poor man; but
none knew who he was. By-and-by the pco-
pie began to drop money into the hat. and
the dog seemed delighted to receive 50 many
pieces of gold for his master. The circle OF
hearers became larger and larger. Even the
coachmen of the splendid carriages begged
the people inside to stop and hear the music.
Still the money increased. Gold, silver, and
copper We're thrown into the hat by old and
Young. The dog now began to growl
What could be matter? One gentleman, as
he dropped 4 large piece of money into the
hat, had struck him on the nose, and he came
very near letting al the money fall. But
the hat soon became so heavy that he could
not hold it any longer.
empty your hat, old man." said the peo-
pie, land we will fill it again for YOU
He pulled out handkerchief, and wrapped
the money in it, and put it in his violin bag.
The stranger kept on playing, and the peo-
pie cried out Bravo! bravom He played
first one tune then another. The children
seemed carried away with delight At last
he played, "God bless the Emperor FrancisH'
All hats and caps flew off their heads, for
the people loved their Emperor. The music
came to an end; the hour was ended. and
the performer handed back the violin to the
old man.
s.rhank you.' said the gentleman. :.May
God bless you" and he disappeared in the
crowd.
"Who is he? who is he?" said the people
"Wherc does he come frome'
A certain person sitting in one of the
coaches said, II know him. 1t is Alexander
Boucher, the distinguished Niolinist. 1t is
Just like him. He saw that poor musician
needed help, and he has helped him to good
purpose
The people then gave three cheers for
Boucher, and put more money in the hat Its
wv uCI NCuU llOlAC llltI CN CHllS llCllCl lllul
he had ever been before. When he went to
his bed, he folded his hands, and prayed
that God might "bless good Boucher;" 50
that when he should come to be DID, he too
might have q friend to help HIM,
LIFE IN WASHINGTON. The n. Y Worhl
is telling some terrible stories Of the wicked
ness at Washington, in which the profession
al women of the lobby and their friends in
Congress are the fgurantes. Columns of
details are given, but the following will suf-
fee to show what loathsome picture the
writer has been painting:
Among the lobby women in Washington
last winter was the daughter of a present
U. S. Senator, whose father yearsago refused
to let her marry the man of her ,choice. She
eloped with him he dc eceved her by a mock
marriage, he having tive other wives, SO call
ed, diving; he took all Of her jewels, and even
most OF her clothing, and abandoned her.
She went to the bad headlong, refused all
oyertures to return home, and the father and
daughter used to pass one another in the
Capitol year ago she a wanton and he a
Senator-and never speak Nor did either
ever betray the event to oany one. Hecalled her
dead; she consented to be dead even to him.
Another Senator's wife, who is an invalid,
cannot be unaware, for no one else is, that
her husband has stocked no less than six of
| b;u p,ictraecaS on the civil service nc clnrEs