The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-03-30
DOLLIE,s HAND.ORGAN.


Dolles uncle, who was n sea-captain,
brought home hand-organ from Italy
on one of his voyages. 1t had belonged
10 q passenger who had died on the way
TO this country, and rs Uncle George
knew nothing Of his relations, if he
had any, the organ, which was all he
possessed with the exception of the
clothes which he had on, was left on his
hands. At first he thought he would
sell it or give it away to one of the see
ond-hand dealers in such merchandise
which crowd the city. Then he con-
cluded to take it home with him, as it
might amuse his Brothers children, who
lived on the old farm i'm the country. 1t
wa an old organ with sweet, plaintive
ring in It's melody, and it played n
great variety of pleasing airs.
He was right in thinking the chill
dren would be pleased with it. There
were three of them, and they were all
wild over it. He gave il to DOllie, who
was his favorite but, Of course, Win
and Nell enjoyed it Just as much as
she did; and as for that matter, so did
all the children in the neighborhOod.
IL was rare that an organ-grindeT
had ever strayed so far out into
the country, and when such n
thing did happen, it had always
ton of the town, and even the older folk
were Interested in the musician, if not
always in the music. The moment the
sound of his organ was heard i'm the
street out trooped the children after him
rs after the pied piper of HamelintOwn,
and they followed him through lane and
cross-road everywhere. So to own a
hand-organ seemed like owning a bit of
fairy land. Nell, who was hardly more
than baby, was lulled to sleep every
night to its music, and Dolle and Win
both used to cry when, on its first arriv-
nj, they were obliged to go to school
and leave il.
Sometimes Mrs. Evans, the mother OF
the children, would declare that she
should go distracted with the sound OF
it, for il was never silent from morning
until night unless Nell, who was toe
little to go to school, and Just large
enough to grind il, We're asleep and the
others at school. And, strange to say,
though Of course it was not always quite
SO enchanting rs when it was novelty,
il never ceased to be a delight The
children resorted to its music rs a cOnso
lation i'm all their trials. Even Rob, the
wise old house-dOg, used to lie down
by its side and listen graycly to cit i,
better to laugh than be sighing;' the
her might to get her miSChievOuS, furry
paws into the inside to feel where tin,
sound came from; and the birds VIII,
came around the door soon grew t.
recognize its voice, and answered i
gleefully. But the parrot which Uncl
George brought home on n former voy
age scolded at il and about il continu
ally. Polly wants quiet, she woulC
screceh, keep still, keep STILL forty
times in n day.
- Good-natured Uncle George was de
lighted mt the success of his gift. IL
remained at home few months Oh
account of ill-hcalth, and the noise tn,
children made with il must have beer
rather tedious to him. but he bore i
like n martyr, and when he first wen
away he wrote home that he ACTUALLY
missed the noise of the old organ ulmos
as much rs he did that of Dollie herself
Three years passed away, and grea
misfortune came 20 the happy family
MIR. Evans died after long Illness; tn
farm, which was heavily mortgaged
passed into the hands of strangers; ant
dear, kind Uncle George came hom
no more from sea. His ship wa
wrecked and an on board per
ished-so the newspaper said whicl
was sent to Mrs. Evans, after two year
of suspense. Dolly was eleven year
old now, a grave. wOmanly, but beauti
full little girl, with large dark eyes an,
an eXquisitely fair complexion. Wi
was n sturdy boy of nine. jolly in spit,
Of the adversely. and Nell was bright
eyed little fairy of seven. Mrs. Evan
moved, with her little family. to tn
city, where she managed to earn enough
TO sustain life by her needle. but he
health failed in this occupation, an,
having always been accustomed {,
breathe the pure free air of the country
the stihcd, smoky atmosphere Of tn
city was like poison to her lungs. Tn
doctor advised her to move into som
surrounding town, and find diferen
employment And after a while sh
decided to go 10 Dandy, brisk littl
village, where she could find employ
mcut in the factories.
just on the borders of the villar
there were green fields with daisies an
butter-cups tossing in them, and tn
river came rushing down from the city
bearing sails on its breast which mad
the place more pleasant and bright
and it brought a breath of GOODNESS
too. Here they hired a little col
tage, and for n while all went compar;
lively well. Mrs. Evans grew strOu
again, and earned much more in On
factory than she had earned by plai
sewing. The children grew plump an
rosy once more, and went meITily
school
The peal of the organ was still hear
within their little home for n good pai
of the day. and the children of ia
" peighborhood were rs much intereste