Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-03-27
REUBEN.


had died before Reuben was ten years
old, and left him to the care of Uncle
Josiah, the brother OF Reuben's long
dead mother. The strongest memory
Reuben retained of his father was a
mind picture of white-haired man cit
ting up in bed, with the beloved violin
In his hands, filling the poor attic-room
with sweet sounds. He was partially
paralyzed even then, and later. when
his fingers became helpless. his heart
broke ard he died.
Then Uncle Josiah came from the
country to the great city, and took the
lad home. At the bottom OF the hair
trunk containing all Reuben's posses
sions was safely stored the violin and
case, with a score of music the dead
musician had left his boy.
On the farm, in Jersey, Reuben found
rough, kindly welcome. Aunt Polly
cried little over the orphan; Sue and
Jennie, kiEdly maidens, kissed and Ca
ressed him; and Daisy, pretty, flossy-
haired Daisy, whose blue eyes were like
twin violets, stole shyly up to the dark
haired lad and slipped piece of cake
into his hands. 1t was u busy hive, the
old farm house, where no drones found
place.
Uncle Josiah disapproved altogether
of the violin. Never had he heard Of a
fiddler blowing field or raising stock.
Never had he seen any practical good
come from scrapng catgut, and more
than once instant destruction was
threatened to Reuben s one pleasure. He
grew afraid TO raise the sweet sounds he
loved inside the farm house, and would
steal away to practice the lessons his
father had taught him by the brook side.
In the whispering woods or the shady
lanes.
Nobody loved his violin but Daisy.
Daisy would softly touch the string,
and listen with parted lips and shifting
color when Reuben woke the spirits of
music with his bow. Sue and Jennie
did not object to q good, lively dance
tune; but only Daisy would follow
Reuben into the world where dreams
Aosted into the sweet melodies, and the
bow and strings talked In music's own
language. Daisy alone knew Of the
lonely walks with the dear companion;
and Daisy's lips would quiver and her
blue eyes fill, when the boy whispered
in her ear of his heart hunger.
Years had passed away, and the Soy
became a man.
Scarcely worth his SALT" Uncle Jo-
siah pronounced him, az yet loved him
we'll, for his gentle obedience, his will
ingness to perform any task, however
distRsteful.
"a dreamy gawk, in everybody's
way" Sue and Jennie said, but saved
the choicest bits Of the dainty country
fare for Reuben.
"a poor, weakly body" Aunt Polly
said, and her touch was soft OH Reu-
ben's hair, while she sighed gently, con-
vinced that the pale, thin cheeks would
never glo round or rosy, but ''likely
rest under the dlisies," she thought
pityingly.
Only Daisy really understood the SEN
sitive nature, the tender heart, the starv-
ing, longing intellect. Only Daisy
grleved when the long, delicate hands
blistersd and bled over rough work, and
would never harden. Only Daisy, as
maidenhood came, shrined Reuben in
her heart of hearts, aud knew no other
could take his place.
Only Daisy filed Reuben's hearti or
all the rough life around him, there was
only one gentle influence to keep his
heart from breaking. The fair, blue
eyed girl, with hair like floss silk, alone
understood him when he talked Of the
books he borrowed from the minister,
and eagerly perused. Daisy alone kept
him from the utter despair Of heart
loneliness.
So these young hearts, in eleven long
years, learned the story Of mutual truth,
mutual dependence, sympathy, tender
ness and devotion, which we call love.
On the day Reuben was 2l, he told
Uncle Josiah be loved Daisy, and Uncle
Josiah sadly shook his head.
"You'll never be able to keep wife,
Reuben" he said. "Never! ] love
Daisy too well to trust her to you. Why,
look at 1t, lad, you've never earned
full days wages since you came to the
farm. II you'd give up your foolish ad-