Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-15
THEHOAEEEsEss wANDERER AGAIN
Ills Father, a Blind Fiddler, MarrIes
10 a Widow with six Children.

Ellis Father, a Blind Fiddler, AEarries
Ig0a Widow with Six Children.
@. In yesterdays UNION AND AMERICAN
| was noticed homeless wanderer, and his
history as related by himself to a party of
/ gentlemen, one of whom had opened bis
hearts charity to the orphans sad story,
which unfortunately for the thrilling inter
est and sincere sympathy it would have
aroused turns out, upon investigation to be
untrue, and hence like ga schoolboy's tale,
the wonder of an hour" His name, TO be
sure, is George Ballou, from Jasper, Ten
nessee, but that his father died before our
wandering hero's birth, is otherwise.
1t viii be remembered by our readers
that George stated his parents were dead
and he had no relatives. Wandering about
the streets and loafng around the groceries
and saloons OF Jasper, may be seen an old
blind fiddler, who plays the bow with lang
syne's Tesined touch. This old man who
is commonly known as "0ld BallOw," is
the father of the "little wanderer." He
frequently goes TO Jasper and plays his tid-
die, receiving whatever his listeners feel
disposed to give with most Of the stray
pennies thus obtained he browns his sor-
rows in the wine cup, provided whisky is
not so convenient. Although helpless and
| sightless, that strong passion Of which poets
| sing and for which men have sacrificed every
consideration of reason, thrilled with magic
touch the old mans heart, stamping on its
tenderest page the image of widow, whose
only wealth outside of the affection cherish
ed for her blind lover was six children, the
oldest being not even sixteen years of age.
Though the beauties of earth with its flow
ers, its valleys and streams, and the COR
geous magnificence of the starry heavens
above could not be seen by the old man,
yet love casts its spiritual form in fascina-
ting vision on his soul, thrilling it with life,
and Joy and hope. Accordingly the
old man took unto himself for better
Q. worse, and for veal or woe
this widow, with whom he lives an unset
tied life, finding a home in some old log
cabin, once the abode of slaves. His wife
takes in sewing, and does such work as
her neighbors are disposed to give her. Be-
tween the music of the blind fiddler and
the toll of his better half is made living.
George, who is sixteen, older than he rep
resents, not having an ardent liking for his
stepmother, and by no means pleased with
his associations, left home and tracked all
over the country, seeking whatever he could
devour. Being a boy of good common
sense despite his want of education, home
was offered him with employment. Being
by habit averse to work, and
not being skilled in any depart |
ment of industry, George spurned |
these offers, preferring to perambulate the
country, few places Of which he did not |
visit. The shady grove of the valley, with
its wild rose and whispering winds, the |
messy bank Of the brooklet gushing forth |
the melody of natures poetry, the tlowery |
hillside, the highways and byways, the |
home of the rich and the hut of the poor, |
the town and the country, all have been |
visited by George, who never thought con-
tentment the best lot of mankind, or else |
was not able to find it.
At last Johnnie Simpson, who takes care !
of his fathers family on a nice farm near
Jasper, offered George place. For |
a while the boy remained here, a |
kindly interest being manifested towards
him by the family and by the Simpsons
aunt who acted as mother to the children.
Some time ago George ran away and lived
by doing nothing, becoming a rowing NUS
ance wherever he went. All who knew
him speak not in goodly terms of bis charac-
ter and habits, which are worthless and dis
solute, never having shown any desire to
improve the advantages offered him, and
displaying no gratitude or appreciation for
assistance prOffered by those who were will
ling to promote bis welfare and make him
an honorable man. As an instance
of this, it is related that a gentle
man once gave him his dinner and |
no sooner had he partaken OF this /
hospitality than he tried to steal valuable
dog belonging to the gentleman. By some
means, George contriyed to reach this city |
about four weeks ago. He states, though /
such is not thought true, that he hired |
himself as a caboOse cook to a conductor,
who dropped him when arriving here.
Since that time he has been lOaing around
Nashville, telling pitiable story of his I'M
fortunate condition, and thereby securing
his meals and obtaining money. A gentle
man from Jasper, who knew him quite well,
met George on the street, but was unable
to interview him. No sooner had he seen
that he was recognized by one who knew
all about his character and was
aware of the manner in which he was
imposing upon the charity of credulOus
public, than he ran away from his old ac-
quaintance. About three weeks ago, as a
gentleman of this city was walking near the
suspension bridge, he was approached by
George, whose sad story as revealing his
forlOrn condition aroused the feelings of the
gentleman, who gave him some money with
which to buy something to eat. EncOur-
aged by his luck, George waylaid this gen.
tleman, trying the same game whenever he
met him, and finally following him home.
Thinking the boy was an impostor,
the gentleman finally rid himself
of his obnoxious presence by telling him
he would snatch bis head off if he caught
him again in his yard. 1t cannot be ex-
peeted that one so idle and unwilling to en-
gage in anything that Is industrious and
honorable will improve his morals by loaf
ing around Nashville. We have from good
that Ballou could readily obtain
an honest livelihood at Jasper if he were
disposed to accept the situations offered him
by more than one person. What may be
bis fate, we know not. The Jail or the
State prison may some day give him an
asylum from the wants of this world.