The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-01-31

! eaeght the faint sounds Of The organ col.
emhly peAllnE within.
, Noble masie, said Ihc old man, as The
: dual chords died away noble music, and
! sonI IN The playing. That man, Tho
ever be may be, should have q generous
heart.
Hush, grandfather, said The girl, be Is
beginning to play again.
Scarcely had the music commenced,
however, than the pair gaEed at cseh
other In breathless surprise.
Lilly, darling, do you hear wbAtihe 10
playingi said the old man iu an excited
whisper.
4 A strange coincidence, the girl replied
Strange IL is more than strange |
Lilly, darling; who could play that song 2
The melody came TO an end, aud all
was sllenoe. There was a moments
pause, and then, as II by common i'm.
pulse, the old man drew bic bow across
the strings, and the girls sweet voice car.
rolled forth the second verse Of the song.
Scarcely bad they ended, when door
opened at the foot OF the church tower
just beside them, and Michael Fray, bare.
headed, With bis scanty locks blown
about by the winter wind, stood before
them. lie hurried forward aud then
stood still, shAmefaced, bewildered. The
song had called up the vision OF gallant
young sailor, full Of life and health, as
Michsel had seen his brother for the last
time on the day when be sailed on bis
fatal voyage. lie had hurried forth for
getting the years that had passed, full of
tender memories Of happy boyish days,
TO find, alas! only couple of wandering
beggars, singing for bread.
l beg your pardon, he said, striving
vAinly 10 master his emotions; you sang
a song just now which -which-a song
which was a favorite OF dear friend OF
mine many years ago. win you-will
you Tell me where you got it2
BY the best of all titles, sir, the old
fiddler answered, drawing himself up
with touch of artistic pride; | wrote II
myself, words aud music both.
Nay, sir, said Michael, sternly, you rob
the dead. A dearly loved brother OF
mine wrote that song forty years ago.
Well, upon my word said the old fid-
dler, waxing wroth-then your brother
must have stolen il from me What might
this precious brothers name be, pray2
An honest name, name am proud to
speak, said Michael, firing up in his turn;
bis name was Richard Fray
The old street musician staggered as If |
be had received blow.
Whatl he exclaimed, peering eagerly
into the others face; then you are my
brother Michael, for am Richard Frayl
Half an hour later and the brothers so
long parted, so strangely brought togeth-
err, were seated round roaring fire in
Michael Trays quaint, three-cornered
parlor. MichscPs stores had been ran.
sacked for warm, dry clothing for the
wanderers. Drawers long closed yielded
when opened, a sweet scent of lavender,
and containing homely skirts and bodices
kept still in loving memory OF little Nell,
gave up their treasures for Lilly's bene-
fit, and Richard Fray's snow-sodden
clothes were replaced by MichsePs chol-
cest coat and soflest slippers. The wan
derers had done full justice to a plentiful
meal, and jug of fragrant punch now
steamed upon the hob and was laid un-
der frequent contribution, while Richard
Fray told the story of thirty years want
derering, and the brothers found how i
came to pass that, each thinking the other
dead, they had lived the lives, and mar
gied, and buried their dear ones, being /,
sometimes but few miles apart, and yet
as distant as though severed by the grim
Divder himself And Lilly sat on
cushion at her grandfather's feet, pic
lure OF quiet happiness, and sang sweet
songs to please the two old men, while ,
Michael lovingly traced in her soft fea-
lures fanciui lkenesses 10 his lost Nelly, /
he strange similarity OF the sweet voice
aiding the tender Illusion. And surely
no happier family party was gathered to-
.ether in all England, on that Christmas.
iale, Ihsn that little group round Michael /
frat's quiel freside.
Wen, grandfather, dear, said Lily, At.
er pause, won't yon believe In miracles i
lowl
My darling, said the old man, with his Il
yoice broken with emotion, God forgive 9
ne for having ever doubted Him. .