Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-13
lCoutinued from first page.l

lohelN street, IN tnat emil mlunlgnt, came
the sound of a violin, and sweet voice
singing the seli-same words to the self
same tender air-the song written by his
dead and gone brother forty years before.
The effect on Michael Fray was electrical.
For moment he staggered. but caught
at the keyboard before him and held it
with a convulsive grasp.
Am | dreaming? or are nv senses
leaving me Poor Dicks Christmas car
oil and could almost swear the voice is
my own Nellie's. Can this be death at
lsst9 And are the angels welcoming me
home with the song love so dearly No.
surely; either am going mad, or that is
= real living voice. But whose-whose /?
II iav, u help me to find out !" And with
the whole frame quivering with excite
ment- without pausing even to close the
organ. or to eXtnguish his Pickering can
de--the old man CROPPED his way down
the narrow stairs which led to the street
and hurriedly closing the door behind him
stepped forth into the snowy night
For some hours before Michael Fray was
startled, as we have related. an old man
aud yound girl had been making their
way citywards irem the southern side of
London.
Both walked YEARLY, as though they
had tramped tor long distance; and
once or twice the young girl wiped away
tear, though she strove hard to hide it
from her companion and forced herself to
speak with a cheerfulness in strange con
trast with her sunken cheeks and footsore
gait. Every now and then, in passing
through the more frequented streets, they
would pause and the man who carried
the violin would strike up some old bal
lad tune with vigor and power OF exc
cution which even his trost-nipped fingers
and weary limbs could not wholly destl oy,
while the girl, with sweet, though very
sad voice, accompanied him with appro-
pirate words. But their attempts were
miserably unproductive. In such bitter
weather few who could help it would stay
away from their warm firesides. Still
they tOiIed on. every now aud then max
ing fresh ''pich at some likely corner"
only too often ordered to "move on by
a stern policeman As they drew nearer
10 the city and the hour grew later, the
passers-by became fewer and and farther
between. and the poor wanderers telt
that 1t was idle even to seek charity in
these deserted streets. AT last the old
man stopped and groaned aloud.
What is it, grandfather dear? Don't
give IN now, when we have come so far.
Lean on me-do; I'm hardly tired at all
and | dare say we shall do better to-mor-
row."
Tomorrow it will be too late. | don't
mind hunger, and | don't mind cold but
the shame OF it, the disgrace-after hav-
ing struggled against it all these years
to come 10 the workhouse at last II isn't
for myself | mind-beggars mustn't be
choosers but you. my tender little Lily.
The thought breaks my heart it kills
me ~ And the old man sobbed aloud.
Dear grandfather, you are always
thinking of me and never of Yourself
What does it matter after alp" It's only
the name OF the thing. I'm sure / don't
mind il one btu The shudder of horror
which passed over the girls frame gave
the lie to her pious falsehood II daresay
it is not SO very bad and, after all. some
thing may happen to prevent it even
now
"What can happen, short of miracle,
in these deserted streetsr'
'Well, let us hope for the miracle.
then, dear. God has never quite desert
ed us in our deepest troubles, and don't
As she spoke she drew her thin shawl
more closely round her, shivering in spite
OF herself under the cold blast. which
seemed to receive no check from her scan
~ covering. Again the pair crept on,
and. passing beneath the lofty wall of St.
Winiired's church, stood beneath it for "A
temporary shelter from the driving wind
and snow. While standing they caught
The iaint sounds of the organ solemnly
pealing within.
Noble music" said the old man. as the
mai chords died away 'noble music and
soul In the playing. That man, who
ever he may be. should have a generous
heart"
Hush, grandfather. " said the girl, The
Is beginning to play again"
Scarcely had the music commenced,
however, when the pair glanced at each
other in breathless surprise
Lily, darling, do you hear what he is
playing 2" said the old man in an excited
whisper
"A strange coincidence the girl re-
piled
Strange! it il more than strange
Lilly. darling, who could play that song ,"
The melody came to an end, and all
was silence. There was moments
pause, and then, as it by common i'm
pulse, the Old man drew his bow across
the strings. and the girls sweet voice
cHolied forth the second verse OF the
song. Scarcely had they ended, when
door opened at the foot of the church
tower just beside Them, and Mchae FRAY.
bareheaded. with his scanty locks blown
about by the wind, stood before them.
lie hurried forward and then stood still.
shameiaced. bewidered. The song had
called up the vision OF a gallant Young
sailor, tull of life and health, as Michael
had seen his brother Tor the last time on
the day when he sailed on his fatal VOYAGE.
lie had hurried forth. forgetting the years
that had passed. full OF tender mem
cries OF happy boyish days, to find.
alas only couple of wandering beggars,
singing for bread
Il beg your pardon" he said, striving
vainly ID master his emotions; you sang
song just now which which-a song
which was favorite OF dear friend OF
mine many years ago. Win you-will
yon tell me where you got it?r
by the best Of all titles, sir" the old