Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-30

l
}ut whose-whose Heaven help me TO
ind outi" And with his whole frame auiv-
ring with excitemeut-without pausing
even to close the organ. or to extinguish his
icker1ng candle-the old man groped his
'ay down the narrow, winding stair which
ed to the street, and, hurriedly closing the
door behind him, stepped forth bareheade
INTO the snowy night.
For some hours before Michael FRAY was
'tartled, as We have related, by the mysteri-
us echo of his brothers. song, an old man
md a young girl had been making their
way citywards from the southeastern side
4 London. Both walked YEARLY as though
hey had tramped from a long distance
nd once or twice the young girl wiped away
tear, though she strove hard to hide it
rom her companion and forced herself to
speak with a cheerfulness in strange con
rast with her sunken cheeks and footsore
ait. Every now and then, in passing through
he more frequented streets, they would
'ause and the man. who carried violin,
would strike up some old ballad tune with
vigor and power OF execution which even
lis frost-nipped fingers and weary limbs
could not wholly destroy; while the girl
With a sweet though sad voice accompanied
lin with the appropriate words. But their
,ttempts were miserably unproductive. In
uch bitter weather few who could help it
would stay away from their warm fresdes
md shcse whom stern necessity kept out of
loors seemed only bent on dispatching their
several tasks, and to have no time or thought
to expend on couple of wandering tramp.
inging by the roadside. Still they toled
m. every now and then making fresh
pitch at some likely corner, only too
ften ordered to "move on by stern
policeman. As they drew nearer to the city
ind the hour grew later, the passers-by be-
anne fewer and farther between and the
,oor wanderers felt that if was idle even TO
eek for charity in those deserted, silent
treets. At last the old man stopped and
roaned aloud.
"What is it grandfather dear Don't
sive in now, when we have come so far.
Lean on me-do; I'm hardly tired at all
md dare say we shall do better tomorrow"
"To-morrow ~ said the old man. bitterly;
-o-morrow will be too late. don't miud
lunger and | don't mind cold but the
shame of it, the disgrace-after having
truggled against it all these years-to come
10 the workhouse at last 1t isn't for my
elf I mind-beggars mustn't be choosers
md, dare say, better men than have slept
IN casual ward 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 think
ng of me, and never OF Yourself. What
loes it matter after all Z it's only the name
# the thing. I'm sure don't mind it one
bit" The shudder of horror which passed
,ver the girls frame gave the lie to her
,ious falsehood. 81 dare say it is not so
very bad, and, after all, something may
happen to prevent it even nowW
"What can happen, short of miracle, in
hese deserted streets %
"Well, let us hope for the miracle then,
lear. God has never quite deserted us in
,ur deepest troubles, and don't believe he
will forsake us now"
As she spoke she drew her thin shawl
more closely round her, shivering in spite of
herself under the cold blast, which seemed to
.eceive no check from her scanty coverings.
Again the pair crept on, and passing beneath
he lofty wall of st. Winifred's church, stood
,eneath it for a temporary shelter from the
irving wind and snow. While so standing
hev caught the faint sounds of the organ
,olemnly pealing within.
Noble music" said the old man, as the
inal chords died awav, "nohle music, and
oul in the playing. That man, whoever ne
nav be. should have a generous heart
" Hush, grandfather" said the girl, he is
BEGINNING to play again"
Scarcely had the music commenced how
,ver. than the pair gazed at each other in
breathless surprise
Lilly. darling, do YOU hear what he is
olaving ?" said the old man in AN excited
whisper.
4 strange coincidence" the girl replied.
Strange 1t is more than strange Lily,
larling; who could play that song ?"
The melody came to an end, and all was
ilence. There was moments pause, and
shen. as if bv common impulse, the old
nan drew his bow across the strings, and
the rirl's sweet voice caroled forth the
second verse of the song. Scarcely had they
,nded when door o,ened at the foot of the
church tower lust beside them, and Michael
Fray. bareheaded with his scantv locks
blown about by the winter wind, stood be-
'ore them He hurried forward and then
,tood STILL shanefaced, bewildered. The
song had called up the vision of gallant
Young sailor, full of life and health, as
Michael had seen his brother for the last
time on the day when he sailed on his fatal
voyape. He had hurried forth, forgetting
the years that had passed, full of tender
memories of happy boyish DAYS, to find
,las only couple of wandering beggars
singing for bread.
81 beg your PARDON" he said, striving
yainly to master his emotions; you sang a
song lust now which-which-a song which
vas a iavorite of dear friend of mine many