River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-09-08
AFTER MANY DAYS.

rudely snapped in twain, with a few
loose fragments of strings, soundless,
voiceless; vet beside it, as reyerently as
though bending over a something hu-
man that had died-with a passionate
burst of grief, as for some deariy-lOved
friend. knelt little lad of some thir-
teen summers.
Out from the mud, with tender,
caressing touch, he lifted up the shat
tered remnants, his tears falling the
while thick and fast, his slight frame
convulsed with the sobs which would
not be repressed.
He made no outcry, but his face was
white with the anguish of despair. He
had lost his all-the friend to whom he
red out all his woes; the compan-
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, a sort of underlined remorse gnaw-
ing within his breast. From mere
bravado he had wrenched from the
hands Of the little musician his instru-
ment and broken it across his knee,
throwing the pieces in the mud.
Realizing dimly that he had commit
cd a towards and bully's act, he took
from his pocket small coin and tossed
it toward the boy.
"Take that" he cried, ''and stop your
whimpering. you've got no business
to play your music in the public streets.
You're a beggar and nuisance"
But in an instant, with flashing eyes
and head thrown proudly back, the lit
tie street Arab had flung the money
back
'sYou think you can pay me thus y
he replied, in frenzied tones. cit is [
who owe you debt l yet will live to
wipe out"
They stood one instant looking steadi-
. ly into each others eyes-One the SEN
Tor Of the other by some three or four
years, tall and powerful, clad in broad
cloth and fine lpen-one little, shrink
ing lad, his ragged clothes despatched
with mud of the streets.
At this moment an open carriage
rolled by, but the little girl seated with
in it had, with her quick eyes, discover
ed 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 a hasty command to the
coachman to stop, she called hlm to
her.
"What are you about to do, Miss Sell
MAJ" questioned the lady with her,
her governess.
Nothing naughty, dear Miss Irwin"
she replied. "This poor boy-see, his
violin is broken. | am so sorry for
him."
The lad had slowly approached the
carriage, in obedience to her command;
but there was no light in his face, no
eagcrness in his step.
"How did this happen ?" asked the
little girl.
Carl locked up. Was this an angel
who spoke to him? He had never
seen anyone half SO lovely. Her hair
hoated about her shoulders in a shower
of gold, and resting ON it was white
hat, with a long white plume dropping
far down behind; her eyes were like
two purple pansies; on her cheek was
the flush of the sunrise; her lips were
rs red rs the carnation, though they
quivered with her unspoken sympa-
thy.
The boy held up the broken pieces of
his violin.
at was my all, he said. 81 shall
starve now, but | am glad of that, for
did not love it only that it brought
me bread. | loved til loved it be
c.llse it talked to me, and with it | was
never lonely"
"But can YOU not buy another
81 have no money, miss. ! can new
or make enough, since this has gone.
| had hoped one LAY to buy something
better than this, but now the day will
never Gomez"
A shade of thoughtfulness crept over
the sweet, fair face. In the little
gloved hand she held tiny purse, and
within it three bright, glittering gold
pieces shone. They were to purchase
a coveted doll, her fond fathers birth
day gift.
She turned hastily to her governess.
please, Miss Irwin, do YOU think
papa would be dlspleased i | do not
buy my doll? No, no. know he
would not"
Then, waiting foT no reply, she
messed the purse into the boys hands.
600 40, your VIOLIN" she said. Nc.
YOU must not return this as you re
turned the other money; but some
day, when you are a great musician,
you shall repay me. Who knows? you
may play at my wedding.
And. with little light laugh, as the
carriage started forward, the child,
with a wave of her hand disappeared.
The boy stood motiOnless, wrapped
in n sort of ecstasy. No doubt that q
veritable angel had visited him, crossed
his mind. Had he been dreaming?
No; for within his hand lay the dainty
little purse. Opening it almost with
reverence, the shining pieces OF gold
met his gaze: but something else aS
well-a little piece of pasteboard, and
upon it written name and address.
The lad lifted it to his lips.
1T is another debt owe, he said
softly to himself
Ten wears later, and on bright star
lit night in January, the New York
Academy of Music was filled from pit
to dome. The great violinist, Herr
Carl Seiberg was to appear. He was
very Young. not twenty-three, the crit
les said, and yet he had reached the ze-
nth of his fame \ great wave of ap-
plause greeted him as he came forward
to the center of tire stage. He was tall
but slight, with large, dreamy eyes, and
amouth whose sensitiveness the blonde
moustache could not wholly hide.
With n soft, careSsing motion, he drew
the bow across the strings. An almost
human voice of exquisite melody
seemed to respond. The house held its
breath to listen
Inone of the lower proscenium boxes
sat a young girl ofnineteen. she wore
no hat, and in her golden hair there
cleaned diamond star. She was
beautiful with a rare loneliness. There
was no fairer face in all that crowded
assemblage. Behind her, leaning on
the back of her chair, Vas young man
whose gaze of rapt admiration never
withdrew itself-a man of superb
height aud breadth of form, and with
eyes and hair dark rs the night-eye s
which glowed with feeling as they dwelt
upon her face. for the hope nearest
Fairfax Farley's heart was to win the
woman for his wife
she tuINed toward him as the music
died. with a quick indrawing of her