The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1870-07-01
THE POOR MUSICIAN AND HIS MATE.

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THE POOR MUSICIAN AND HIS MATE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
One beautiful summer day was great
festival in the large park at Vienna. 1t
was almost covered with the crowds OF
people, Among them with organ-grin-
ders, beggars and girls who played on
harps. There stood musician. He
had once been soldier, but his pension
was not enough to live on. Still he did
not like to beg and on this particular
festival day, he took his violin and play
ed under an old tree in the park. He
had faithful dog with him, which lay at
his feet and held an old hat in his mouth
so that passers by might cast their coins
into it,
Many people went by and heard the
old musician playing, but they did not
throw much in. | wonder they did not
give him more, for he was pitiable OBJ
iect. His face was covered with cars re-
ceivcd in his country's battles, and he
wore his long gray army coat, and had
his old sword by his side. He had only
three fingers on his right hand, so he had
TO hold the bow of his violin with these.
A bullet had taken off the two others,
and almost at the same time a cannon
ball had taken of his left leg. The last
money that he had, had been spent
in buying new strings for his violin, and
he was nov playing with all his strength
the old marches he had learned when a
boy. He looked sad enough as he saw
the multitudes pass by in their strength
and youth and beauty; for he knew on
that very evening he would have to go
to bed supperless, and lie on straw couch
in little garnet room. 1t was late in
the afternoon, his hopes were like the
sun-they were both going down togeth-
err. He placed his old violin down by
his side, and leaned against tree. The
tears streamed down his Scared checks.
Not far off stood gentleman in fine
clothes, who had kind heart. He lis
tened to the old musician, and when he
saw that no one gave him anything, his
heart was touched with sympathy.
Looking into the hat he saw only two
little copper coins. lie then said: "My
good friend, why do you not play lon
gcr?"
"Oh," replied the old man, ~ cannot,
my poor old arm is so tired that | can
not hold the bow besides, l have had no
dinner, and l have little prospect ofsup-
cr."
The kind gentleman then gave him
piece of gold and said, 81 will pay you
if you will lend me your violin for one
hour"
"Oh,n said the musician" this piece
of money is worth more than half-a-
dozen old fiddlcs like mine"
"Never mine," said the gentleman, IL
only want to hire it one hour"
every well; you can do what you
will" said the owner.
The gentleman took the fiddle in his
hands, and then said to the old man:
"Now, my mate, you take the mon
cy and l will play"
The strange gentleman began to play.
His mate looked at him with great won-
der; he was so stirred that he could hard
ly believe it was his old violin that made
such beautiful sounds. Every note was
like a pearl. The people, observing
the strange sight, and hearing such won
derful music, stopped in curiosity.
Every one saw that the fne-looklng
gentleman was playing for the poor man
but none knew who he was. By-and-
by they began to drop money into the
hat, and the old dog seemed delighted
to receive so 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.
Gold, silver and copper were thrown
into the hat by old and young; and soon
became so heavy that the dog could hold
it no longer.
empty your hat, old man." said the
people, "and we will fill it again"
The stranger kept on playing, and
the people cried out, "Bravo! bravo !"
Even children seemed carried away with
rapture. At last he played that splen
did song, "God bless the Emperor
Francis !" All hats, and caps flew off
their heads, for the people loved their
emperor. Then the hour was ended,
and the musician handed back the vio-
lin to the old man.
"Thank you," said he. 'NIay God
bless you!" and no disappeared in the
crowd.
"Who is he who is he ?" said the
people. "Whero does h7 come from Z"
4 person sitting in one of coaches
said: Il know him. 1t is Alexander
Boucher, the great violinist It IS just