Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-07-16
syloMih's Column.
TOUCHING THE RIGHT
STRING.


worn clothes, the battered hat, and the
general air of restitution and neglect.
"Theres one of them, whispered Tom
He's a soaker. See his nose!"
Tom and Ned were standing in front Of
their employers, Mr.. Drinkwater, store
when this occurred. Tom declared that
he must go and start things at his coun-
ter. Ned remained on the sidewalk
watching the poor man.
81 have a great mind to follow him. 1t
is not time, in my department, to start
the selling. feel sort of interested in
that rusty old chap. Wonder where'll he
turn in?"
Down the street went Ned Owen. The
rusty old gentleman turned off into lit
tie alley, then into a narrow court fanked
by tall tenement houses, and stopped.
sGrab Court He live here?" thought
Ned.
The man suddenly faced Ned. He was
apparently sixty years old.
GAS 1 passed you two yonng chaps
didn't l hear you say something about
peoples drinking?" asked the old man.
eyes, sir"
"Didnt you say something about touch
ing the right string?"
eyes, sir"
''Well, you come up here"
Ned followed the old man up a dark
and dirty fight Of stairs, and then up
another, climbing, climbing till the old
man threw open door-battered like his
hat-and said, ''There!"
1t was a low, unclean room. In one
corner was an old mattress, and besides
this there was chair. There was no
stove but ashes and dead embers on the
hearth showed that fire had been there
once.
'sDo you live here?" asked Ned
eyes, Timothy Trull lives here. No
other placed" he muttered. Groom
enough for a rum bottle besides me, and
there's room, more and more of it, for as
the rum bottle comes in, other things go
out. Sold 'em" he said fiercely, ''sold
'em for rum"
Glow do you get a living?" Ned want
ed to say, but the old man anticipated
him.
"My yioloncello almost went this morn
ing, and my living would have gone with
it."
''You musician?"
eyes. You want to hear me?"
81 should like to very much. Won't
you let me?'
But where was the violoncello? The
old man went to the mattress, and lifting
it took up his only earthly treasure. Then
he took his bow, and woke out of its
sleeping place note after note.
'You know how to handle it," exclaim
ed Ned, admiringly.
ssYou think SOP" said the old man, his
eyes kindling with delight at the praise.
''Of course, do. Now see here. Why
do you throw yourself away when you
are good musician"
''But,' said the old man, ~ lost m,
place"
quit drinking, L will go this noon and SCI
your old employer-whoever he is-ant
ask him to take you back. You just fl,
up, you know, and there, I'll get you
coat
'sWhere?''
"My employer gives away his when h
is through with them, and I dare say
has one
"What's his name?"
''Drinkwater.
''That's the kind Of folks-those VIII
drink water-who have things. 1 have
great mini to try"
81 would-try once more, and God wi
help you if you ask him."
''Once more, once more!" murmure
the old man. Then he lifted a tearfr
face heavenward, and sobbed, "God hel
mel"
Between that time and the next ever
ing Ned saw Mr.. Winthrop, Timothy
former employer, and the latter propose
to try him again.
On the edge Of the evening, Timoth
appeared in the room where Mr.. VIII
throp's force of musicians met for +,
hearsal. The janitor had lighted I'll
room, only tenanted as yet by chair
music stands and a few musical INSTR
mentS.
The old player seated himself before
music stand, and handling his believe
violoncello skillfully began to stroke it.
What happened afterward Timothy to
Ned when the two met the next night
Timothy's room, swept now, with Gle
fire burning on the hearth, though it WI
room of poverty still.
''He told me-Mr. Winthrop did
said Timothy, ''that l might have my O
place, and 1 took it last night and I'm Q
ing to be new man."
Timothy was crying now.
''This is all the home-I've got, but l
make it-better. | havent-any wife
children left. but I'll try-to meet 'em
Heaven. l 'spose they-know up there
and p'raps-God has his angels-that W
not leave-a poor man-trying to do
better"
There was silence save as Timoth,
sobs and the cracking of fire was hear
The room was only lighted by the fame
but their radiance, pure and golde
swept across the bare floor and walls U
til they shone. Was it just the fireligl
What if the angels had come to help
poor soul struggling to do better, a
frightened the place with their form
All because a poor boy wanting to
something had touched in human he;
the right string always responding
kindnesS.-ROydl Road.
RIDING AN ALLIGATOR.
Il came in my Journey" says trav
er, ''to the banks of river which W
crossed by ford. A train of pack mu
was naSSinp and yyhila yvoit;1r my T.,