Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-05-07
The Two Harps.

to hear story ?"
" Yes, yes, yes :" aud you ought to have
seen them come tearing into the house from
the garden, and sit down round Aunty Ems
chair, with their faces all turned up to hers,
as whist as three little mice,
So, dear old Aunty looked lovingly
round from one to another like the smil-
ing sun that goes over the earth, and began
her story.
Once there was king, who thought he
would have a great time at his palace. So
he called together all the people in his
kingdom who could play on harps. When
they came, he set a day on which they were
to come before him and see how well they
could play. The one that did best was to
have crown Of laurel put on his head,
and to be famous and rich all the rest Of
his life
" So all the lords and ladies', and other
great folks, came into the grand hall Of
the palace, to hear the music And such a
sight as it was You never dreamed Of
anything like it. Everywhere there we're
splendid dresses-velvet, and satin, and
Iace-al sorts Of rich stuff; and there were
jewels and chains Of gold that sparkled
and flashed in the SUI and the people look
ed as if every man was a king aud every
woman a queen. The throne had curtains
o{ blue velvet and gold lace hung over it
and right in front was a stage, with
carpet on it, where the hsrpers were to
play On the right side Of the king was
place for the twelve judges. They were
there to say who should have the laurel
crown
"Now among the harpers was a young
man named High, whose father was the
richest duke in the whole kingdom If it
had not been for ono thing he would have
scorned to be there with harp. He want
ed to marry the kings daughter. But she
had told him that he must make the best
music that day, or she couldn't be his wife.
So to please her, he said be would show the
vulgar crowd Of music peddlers how easily
he could beat them all.
"lle had a harp that was inaid with
pearl, and had strings of twisted silver
threads; and there were diamonds and rubies
and emerads set in it, that made it a won
der for cost and beauty. 1t was good
while since he had played on it much and
it was out Of tune lie necer played be-
cause he really lored it, but just TO make a
show and hear folks praise him However,
he thought, and SO did a great many others,
that nobody would dare keep the prize from
so splendid a young nobleman, the son of a
duke, and give it to any Of the beggary
fellows who were there with their harps.
1t was glory enough for them to be allowed
to play with him, aud to be beaten by him.
e" Now, it happened that not far from
him, on the stage, was a poor boy whose
name-for every one had to give in his
name was Lowly. There was something
strange about this boy. He looked odd
and outlandish, as if he had come from
some far off country, and did not belong in
that kingdom.
His clothes were very poor and out OF
ioshion-and he didn't seem to own any
thing worth having but his harp. Even
that looked like poor, old, rickety thing
that might tumble to pieces before the
playing was over. Bat, when any one
spoke to him, he smiled so sweetly, and his
eyes shone with such a strange, heavenly
light, that people who had thought him
homely declared he was handsome.
"Unluckily he got too near, at one time,
with his harp, to the young Lord High
who was watching the kings daughter and
didn't see him. His lordship was ill.tom,
pered enough to give the harp kick-but
had no sooner done it than he started and
turned pale. For there came from some OF
the lower strings sounds of such wonderful
sweetness that they really alarmed him
However he got over it soon, and was sure
he should win the crown.
when the time came for playing, Lore
High was one of the first to begin H'
dashed off in fine style, with lively tune
that made body want to dance. The
young ladies were all carried away with
the music. Charming = 'lovelyr perfect
heavenly the words came as fast, ant
; as sweet, as if they had been bouquet
thrown at him. After that playing, they
all said, there was no chance for any one
else.
Two or three others played, bat non,
who came near his young lordship; anC
then it was Lowly's turn. He started whei
they called his name, and, for moment
seemed really scared with so many eye
turned toward him. But soon that passed
away, and he set his old, worn, battered
harp before him. With that, and his odd
looking dress and manner, he made such I
funny figure that great many laughed out
right. But nobody laughed after he touch
B. ed the strings. The first note seemed as i
it had foated down from Heaven. 1t wa
low and soft but it stole out over the grea
multitude, it stilled aad charmed them, i
filed them with kind of awe, as musi,
that never had fallen on their ears before
Then it ceased a moment; and next cam,
tones that rose and fell and died away OF
a the still air like the wall of penitent soul
Next there were louder sounds-not lively
like Lord Highs, but clear and steady anC
strong--sounds of victory and joy. AnC
now, though Lowly didn't sing or say
word, the people found that he was tellinl
- on his harp Of the grief of one who feel
his sin, and then of his gladness when h
knows the sin forgiven. Aud it had
wonderful power over them. Every fac
/ was full Of feeling, every eye was fixed
!, = every ear was listening. They all scenes
!. to hate to breathe, lest they should los
some of those thrilling tones,
WHEN he had struck the last string an,
set his harp one side, there was no shout o
applause. There was too deep feeling 70
that, and there were tears on every face bu
Lord Highs ile was so full Of envy an
spite that he could hardly keep from driy
ing Lowly off the stage.
t. /" When the king asked the judges wh
should have the laurel crown, they all stoo
'e up and answered. one after another, " Low
ly, your majesty But when the peopl
turned back from the judges to Lowly, h
; was gone nobody knew how or where
One good old man said, AMI always stoo
to it as long as he lived, that he hear
l n r. - l..4 L a