The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-04-30

l
ed and echoed in faint fantasie music.
"Who wrote these ~ the stranger
asked.
"They were never written. The,
came from my heart" was the quiel
reply. al will play you some writer
music"
| And again the violin obeyed the bow
as the notes Reuben had Studied from
his fathers music rose upon the summer
air.
And you were about to break your
violin ?" the stranger said.
Yes, for l can never be . farme,
while my brain is full of music" was the
sad reply.
"Ah / You want to be a farmer,
then. Would you not rather be mu-
sician ?''
Reuben's eyes glistened. Long he
and the stranger talked, and the su was
setting when he turned his face home.
ward.
| "Uncle JOSIAH" he said, when all the
chores were done, and the farmer rested
on the moonlit porch, " if in . year I can
bring you proof that can sapport Daisy,
will you give her to me ?"
81 will" was the hearty reply. Have
you broken your fiddle, Reuben? p
No, and l am going to leave you TO-
morrow. l have been offered work in
the CITY,"
"Work in the city Well, lad, it may
be you are too peaked for farm work,
and will find it easier there. But remem-
Der, if you fail, there's always home for
you here, Reuben"
Reuben grasped the hand stretched
out to him in his long, slender fingers,
aud his sobbing "God bless you, sir"
came from his very heart.
Not even to Daisy did he tell his new
hopes, but bade her be faithful and
whether he succeeded or failed he would
return at the end of year.
When he took his place in the stage
coach for the railway station, his new
friend, met in the fairy ring, was by his
side.
Little Daisy kept her heart true.
Every market day, when the farmer
came from town with his great wagon
empty, he took from his pocket letter
from Reuben to Daisy, and every one
was hopeful. His work was pleasant,
and was paying him we'll. Some of the
letters were dated New York, soma Bos-
ton, some Philadelphia; and when winter
came Reuben wrote from all the great
cities, even New Orleans; and Daisy's
heart throbbed high with loving delight
to feel sure his love was true amid the
gay scenes that he described, the new
friends he met.
Winter sped away, spring blossoms
bloQmed and fell, and the end of the year
was drawing near. A letter came to
Uncle Josiah:
" Will you bring Daisy to New York."
Reuben wrote, "and Judge for yourself
of my prospects,"
And Uncle Josiah, after long consul
tation with Aunt Polly concluded to CO.
Daisy had a new dress of soft white
muslin made, and bought dainty straw
hat in the village. Then Uncle Josiah
wrote to Reuben by what train to expect
ReaBssnf fha Vas ssFftot ot aEHssv dsfpSI%, dsfpSI%f5nGe
his place was courteous gentlemen, who
explained to Uncle Josiah that his neph-
ew was detained by business, took the
travellers to hotel where their rooms
were engaged, and waited while they
had supper. Then telling them he would
take them to Reuben, be put them into
a carriage and drove rapidly to a white
building, whose wide hall was brilliantly
illuminated. Here we'll dressed men
and ladies in full evening toilets were
entering in Gro wds. Reuben's friend
led Uncle Josiah and Daisy to q seat
in the brilliant hall, near q platform,
and told them Reuben would come
soon.
In Daisy's hand he put programme,
and she wonderingly read Of the musi-
cal treat in store for her, only vaguely
comprehending it all. On every side
the buzz of conversation bore the name
OF the great l., the famous violinist,
whose Cremona seemed gifted with
speech under the touch of his inspired
fingers.
1t was like dream. A white-robed
lady came upon the platform and sang,
gentleman played a solo upon the
piano. Then there was great noise OF
people clapping their hands and stamping
with their feet, fairly bewildering poor
country-bred Daisy.
A great hush, and, softly familiar as
mothers voice, there fell upon Daisy's ear
the notes of violin, bearing out upon the
air the melody of Reuben's "Carnival of
the Birds.''
She looked up then and met the soft,
dark eyes Of her lover watching her face
as he drew his bow across The strings.
Not sound but the music of the won
drous violin broke the Stiffness of the vast
room, where one mans genius kept the
crowd spell-bound.
1t was over, and the great violinst
bowed and was gone. Again the deafen-
ing, tumultuous applause, and Reuben
was back again, playing an air unfamiliar
to Daisy, but seeming to answer all the
deep JOY of her soul.
Twice Reuben played, recalled each
time, and then the concert was over, and
their escort led Uncle Josiah back to the
carriage, Daisy clinging fast to his arm.
At the door of their private parlor the
new friend bade them good night, and
opening the door they stood face to face
with Reuben. Not the pale, sad boy of a
year ago, but a man, self reliant, glad
and noble, one who had found his life
work and was doing it well.
Uncle Josiah found the strap of
his glove most unmanageable while
Reuben. clasped Daisy in his arms, and
low, tender words fell from the lips of
both.
But when Reuben, clasping Daisy
still, held ont his hand, the farmer
Oraaned it hard.