Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-09-08
AFTER MANY DAYS.

in the mud, worthless piece of wood,
rudely snapped in twain, with few
loose fragments of strings, soundless,
vOiceless; yet beside it, as reyerently as
though bending over a something hu
man that had died-with a passionate
burst Of grief, as for some dearly-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
conyulsed 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
poured out all his woes; the cOmpan-
ion who, until now, never had failed
him, his second, better, nobier 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 lnstru-
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 a 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 beggar and a nuisance"
But in an instant with flashing eyes
and head thrown proudly back, the lit
tie street Arab had flung the money
back
"You think you can pay me thus !"
he replied, in frenzied tones. 1T is |
who owe you debt 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 linen-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 him to
her.
''What are you about to do, Miss Sci
ma ?" questioned the lady with her,
her gOyerness.
Nothing naughty, dear Miss Irwin"
Oh, hi
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
eagerness in his step.
GLOW did this happen ~ asked the
little girl.
Carl looked up. Was this an angel
who spoke to him -? He had never
seen anyone half so lovely. Her hair
foated about her shoulders in a shower
Of gold, and resting on it was white
hat, with 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
Us red as 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. II shall
starve now, but | am glad of that, for
| did not love it only that it brought
me bread. | loved it loved it be-
cause it talked to me, and with it | was
never lonely
But can you not buy another
81 have no money, miss. | can new
er make enough, since this has gone.
| had hoped one day to buy something
better than this, but now the day will
never come"
A shade of thoughtfulness crept over
the sweet, fair face. In the little
gloved hand she held a tiny purse. and
within it three bright glittering gold
pieces shone. They were to purchase
4 coveted doll, her fond fathers birth
day gift
She turned hastily to her governess.
please, Miss Irwin, do you think
papa would be dlspleased if do not
buy my doll? No, mo- know he
would not"
Then, waiting for no reply, she
pressed the purse into the boys hands.
go buy your violin" she said. No,
you must not return this as you re-
turned the other money; but some
day, when you are 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 a sort of ecstasy. No doubt that
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
wel-a little piece of pasteboard, and
upon 1t written name and address. !
The lad lifted it to his lips.
ut is another debt owe," he said
softly to himself.
Ten years later, and on a 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 re-
NTH of his fame. A great wave of APP
plause greeted him as he came forward
to the center of the stage. He was tall
but slight, with large, dreamy eyes, and
mouth whose sensitiveness the blonde |