The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-05-26
THE ROMANCE OF A VIOLIN.
Exchange.

THE ROMANCE OF VIOLIN.
 Exchange.
 Only broken violin. There l, lay in the mud. worthless piece of wood. radely snapped in twain. with d few loose fragments of string. soundlesS, voiceless: yet beside ii, as reverenily as though bending over something human that had died-with passionate burst of grief, as for some dearly beloved friend, knelt little lad of some |, summers
 Out from the mud, with tender, caress- ing touch, he lifted up the shattered remnants, his tears falling the while thick and fast, his slight frame oonvulsed with 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 10 whom he poured out all his woes the companion who. until now, never had failed him, his second, better, nobler self.
 Not many paces distant on the side walk stood the perpetrator of the out rage a sort of undenned remorse gnaw- ing within his breast. For mere brayado he had wrenched from the hands of the little musician lis instrument, and broken i, across his knee. throwing the pieces in the mud.
 Realizing that he had done a towards and bully's ac,, he took from his pocket d small coin and tossed l, toward the boy. Take ,hat,' he cried, and stop your whimpering. You have got no business 10 play your music in the public street. You're beggar and nuisance
 But inan instant, with flashing eyes ka. eh h-~IY H~ i,,,l~ street Arab had thrown the money back. You think you can pay me thus" he replied, in frenzied tones. IL is l who owe you debt yet will live io see wiped out"
 They stood one ns,an, looking steadily into each others eyes -one the senior of the other some three or four years, tall and powerful, clad in broadolo'h and fine linen-one little. shrinking lad, his ragged clothes bespatiered with the mud of the streets.
 At this moment an open carriage rolled by. but the little girl seated within i, had, with her quick eyes, discovered some- thing amiss.
 She had seen the disdainful return of the rejected coin she had heard the boys words: she had marked the traces oi passionate grief upon his face: and. win nasty command to he coachman to stop, she called him 10 her.
 What are you about 10 do. Miss Selma" questioned the lady with her, her governess.
 Nothing naughty, dear Miss Irwin she replied. This poor boy-see, his yiolin IS broken. am sorry for him."
 The lad had slowly approached the carriage, in obedience 10 her command :: but there was no light in his face, no eagerness in his step.
 " How did this happen!" asked the little girl.
 Carl looked up Was this an angel who spoke to hims He had never seen any one half so lovely. Her hair foated about her shoulders in shower of gold, and resting on it was white hat, with a long white plume dropping far down be- hind: her eyes were like two purple pansies on her cheek was the flush of the sunrise her lips were as red as the car nation, though they quivered with her unspoken sympathy.
 The boy held up the broken pieces of his violin.
 |" l, was my all" he said. Il shall s,arve now, but am glad of that for l did no, love it only ,ha, it brought me bread l loved i,-I loved II because 1t talked to me, and with t l was never lonelyr
 But cannot you buy another
 - 1 have no money, Miss can never make enough, since this has gone. l had hoped one day 10 buy something better than this, but now the day will never eome.s
 4 shade of though,fulness 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 coveted doll. her fond fathers birthday gift
 She turned hastily to her governess.
 Please, Miss Irwin, do you think papa would be displezsed if do not buy my doll: No, no.-I know he would not. !" IThen, waiting for no reply, she pressed the purse into the boy's hands
 Go, buy your violin she said No, you must not return this as you returned the other money: but some day, when you are great musician, you shall repay me. Who knows? You may play al my wedding"
 And, with a little laugh, as the carriage started forward, the child, with wave of her hand, disappeared
 The boy stood Eaotionless, wrapped in sort of ecstacy. No doubt that verit- able 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 III 1@@s1A