Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-10-31
After Many Days.

fragments of string, soundlcss, volceless;
yet beside it, as reverently as if bending
over a something human that had died
with passionate burst of grief. as
for some dearly-loved friend, knelt
little lad of some thirteen summers.
Out from the mud, with tender, ca
ressing touch, he lifted up the shattered
remnants, his tears falling the while
thick and fast, his slight frame convuls-
ed with the sobs which would not be re-
pressed.
He made no outcry, but his face was
white with the anguish of despair. He
had lost his all-the friend to whom he
poured out all his woes; the companion
who, until now, never had failed him,
his second, better, nobler self.
| Not many PAGES distant on the side
walk stood the perpetrator of the out
rage, sort of underlined remorse gnaw-
ing within his breast. For mere bra
vado he had wrenched from the hands of
the little musician his instrument and
broken it across his knee, throwing the
pieces in the mud.
Realizing dimly that ne had commit
ted coward's and bully's act, he took
from his pocket small coin and tossed
it toward the boy.
"Take that" he cried. sand stop
your whimpering. You've got no bus
mess to play your music in the public
streets. You're beggar and nul-
sance."
But in an instant, with flashing eyes
and head thrown proudly back, the lit
tie street Arab had thrown the money
back.
"You think you can pay me thus I"
he replied in frenzied tones. at is l
who owe you debt l will yet live to
wipe out"
They stood one instant looking into
each others eyes-one the senior by
three or four years, tall and powerful,
clad in broadcloth and fine linen-one a
little, shrinking lad, his ragged clothes
bespattered with the mud of the streets.
At this moment an open carriage roll
ed by, but the little girl seated within
it had, with her quick eyes, discovered
something amiss.
She had seen the disdainful return Of
the rejected coin; she had heard the
boys words; she had marked the traces
of a passionate grief upon his face; and
with fastened command to the coach.
man to stop, she called to him.
"What are you about to do, Miss Sci
ma ?" questioned the lady with her, hel
governess.
Nothing naughty, dear Miss Irwin,
she replied. "Thls poor boy-see, hi
violin is broken. l am so sorry fo
him."
| The lad had slowly approached tn
carriage, in obedience to her command
but there was no light IN his face, n
eagerness in his step.
"How did this happen" ?" asked tn
little girl.
Carl looked up. Was this an ange
who spoke to him? He had never see1
any one half so lovely. Her hair hoate,
!. about her shoulders in shower of gold
4 and resting upon it was white hat
with long white plume dropping ia
i down behind; her eyes were like purpl
y pansies; on her cheek was the flush @
the sunrise; her lips were red as tn
carnation, though they quivered wit
her unspoken sympathy.
+ The boy held up the broken pieces {
f his violin.
IS "It was my all" he said. 81 sha
starve now, but l am glad of that, for
A did not love it only that it brought m
e bread. loved it loved it because
:. talked to me, and with it l was pevt
lonely"
r. "But can you not buy another"
N 81 have no money, miss. / can ne
b. er make enough since this is gone.
to had hoped one day to buy somethir
better than this, but now the day wi
Oh never come"
le A shade of thoughtfulness crept ov
y the sweet, fair face. In the little glove
lg hand she held tiny purse, and with
it three bright, glittering gold piec
de shone. They were to purchase covett
he doll, her fond fathers birthday gift.
ne She turned hastily to her governess.
> "Please, Miss Irwin, do you think p
ID !, pa would be displeased If l do not bl
my doll? No, no-I know he wou
"a not"
he Then, waiting for no reply. S
re- pressed the purse into the boys hands
no go buy your VIOLIN" she said. "N
ou you must not return this as you retur
rt.
ed the other money, but some day, VIII
you are great musician, you shall !
70. pay me. Who knows? you may play
re my wedding"
h: H. And, with little laugh, the carria
ire started forward. the child with wa
bis GS of her hand disappeared.
at The boy stood motionless, wrapped
,so er sort of ecstasy. No doubt that v