Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-10
THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION.
BIZ MISS MuLoCH.

BIZ MISS MULocH.
Between ten and twenty years ago-the pre.
Csc date Is immaterial-there was ia the civ OF
New York BARRIERS apprentice a Young no
named Reuben fandrest. His Dutch line
was indicated by his surname, which, In course
OF years and generations, had been corrupted
from Wander Best to Vandrest, while for his
scrlptnral Christian name he was indebted to
worthy Quaker. his maternal grandfather
VINO had come over with William Penn. These
names were, in truth, all the bow owned TO his
PT0gehitors, a. from his cradle he had been An
orphan, cast on the charity of the wide world.
putihS eAceiie M sect TO which Reuben's mother
had belonged Is one Of the few who never cast
the lambs from their bosom, and the orphan
child was not deserted. The Friends took care
~ mn, ana when he was able to earn liveli-
hOOu, one or their number received him as An
aPpIeDice. Such was the short and sir,nle
story OF the BARRIERS bow
0Eyery human being has some inner life, which
tLe outside world knows nothing of. Thus from
ms earliest childhood the passion of Reuben
anuIe-t had been music. He would follow the
luneraht musicians of the city through one
street after another, often thus losing his meals
his rest, everything except his schooling which
precious benefit he was too wise to throw away
for even music.
he made friends with blind pipers. Italian
huIdygurdylsts, and, above all, with wandering
hddlers; for, with intUitiye perception the yio-
hn-the prince OF stringed Observation-Disclosures
Dis chlef favoEite. From all and each OF these
wandering musicians Reuben was intent on
gaining something. They were won by his
childish manners and earnest admrration-for
love OF Prase Is the same in a blind fiddler As
IN an opera singer-and by degrees Reuben not
only listened but learned to play. No ipstru-
mtnt came amiss to him, but his sole private
property was an old fife; and with this simplest
OF al orchestral varieties the poor barber's bow
used to creep to his garrett and there strive with
his acute ear and retentive memory, to make
out ne tunes which be had heard in the streets
or 20 inEeDt others.
But the grand era in the boys life was COM
Ing one DAY az he stood wistfully looking at a
Vlolin which he held in his arms fondIy and lin
gsrIHg, prior To returning IL TO its right owner
POOR street musician, the idea OF It's construc,
ton nrst entered Reubens mind. He had been
accustomed TO regard q violin a mysterious
thing-a self creating, s0uDd-produeing being
and never once had he Considered OF mat il
was made, or how.
Now he began to peer into its mysteries. and
10 ma out that II was only wood and catgut
after all. He questioned his friend. the ftd,iisr.
put the man scraped away during q lifetime
~Iihout once casting thought on the mech
spsm OF his instrument True he could replace
broken string and at times even Manufacture
bridge with his Pc knife, but that was all.
when Keuben fnquistively wanted to know how
n.oins we're made the fiddler shook his head
"Do you think could make one?r pursued
the anxious boy.
keuben's face grew crimson. was the only
answer.
.'why, you little simpieton," cried the fiddler
when his mirth had subsidized, "sarely you II not
u
house violin"
But viOlins must be made by somebody
"les, by people who know all aboutit not
By lad like you. Take my advice and don't
attempt lmpoSsibilities"
Reuben said no more; but he could no, get the
idea from his mini Every violin that he saw
he begged 10 look At 10, he examined the yarie-
ties Of construction, the sort OF wood used and
the thickness and fashion Of the strings; and
after weeks, Of consideration, he at last Il eter-
mined 10 try and make one for himself. Daring
the long, light, summer night he worked hour
after hour IN his garrett or on the roof of his
house; his natural mechanical skiHwa aided
by patience and ardor, ard, with the few tools
which be borrowed from the good na,ured car
renters who had given him the wood he sue
Ceeded in forming the body OF the violis. But
here long cessation took place In R.uben's
toll; for he had not even the few pence necessa-
~ 10 purchase strings; and the bow. which he
co9ld-not make, IT was utterly out OF his power
finished instrument-a body without a soul
and even his fife could not console HIM
But one day kind hearted customer noticed
The shsh', pale looking boy, who arranged his
'Oeks 20 gentle and carefully that Reuben be-
anne the glad rseiJ lent OF b dollar! He few to
buy eaigut and an old bow, and with trembling
hand strung his in trument.
Who can describe the important moment :?
LemnieI,s crOwning calculation for the new
planet, Lord Rosses nrst peep through his
sisantlc telescope are little compared TO poor
keubens nrst attempt TO draw sounds from HIS
N0iin- The sounds came; string after string
vas tuned, the bow WAS applied, and the violin
had asInl Feeble and thin the notes were, but
Sth they were distinct musical tones. and the
10y huReed his self made treasure to his beating
heart, actually sobbing with joy.
he played tune after tune; he never noticed
supper: and forgot. toc-shas, but Tor SIS ma. -
cal enthusiasm, would long since have come into
his mihd-thsf, though de childish fSe might
pass n ulster In he house Of hismasttr, ayijlin
To the good Quaker, one OF the strictest of
ms sect, music was useless, sinful, heathe nish-
-