The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-01-26
WENT OUT THAT WAY.
IArkausaw Traveller I


time to relate reminiscence had come,
cleared his throat with that vigor which
seems to be one of the special privileges OF
judge, though quite a change Of venue
from carefully considered politeneSs, and
began as follows:
have listened with rapture to Ole Bull
and have breathed enchantment under the
divine spell of Wilhelmj, but it was rude
backwoOdsnoan who melted my heart with
music and poured it warm upon my glow
ing soul Several years ago, during va
cation from my wearisome duties, visited
an old friend who years before had settled
among the Ozark mountains. Luke VII
hanson, my friend, was delighted to see
me, and when l looked upon his quaint
home there among the gray mountains.
and heard the laughter of his children,
and saw the health bloom on his wife's
cheeks, relented of my fotmer harsh de-
cision and declared that his retirement
from life whose activity could bring
much anxiety and but little pleasure was
just move.
One evening, shortly after my arrival.
Williamson said: Il have a great treat in
store for you. Not a great distance from
here, in cavity under great rock, there
lives the most remarkable man have ever
seen. He was born and brought up among
these hills, and has never seen town, yet
think that he is the greatest violinist in
the world"
he can play the traditional Niger on the
s7ood-pile' or Chicken in the bread trough
with great skill.
am not testing, judge.
"You surely cannot be in earnest?"
ayes, am. l think that he is the
greatest Violinist that ever lived. Very
few people have heard him. Once, Wills
passing his old habitation, l heard him and
was thrilled. entered, and he ceased
playing. l begged him to continue, but
he refused. After that, spent a year in
gaining his confidence. Now, nothing
pleases him more than to play for me. 1
have sent for him. He will be here
presently"
While my friend was still speaking on
the subject which so much interested
him, the furious barking of the dogs
without informed us of an arrival. Mr..
Williamson went out and soon returned,
escorting a tall, lean, ungainly man,
whom he introduced as Mr.. Darby Mon
roe. was pleased to see that the visitor
had brought his violin, which he did not
relinquish, for. with an uncomfortable
air, he sat, holding the instrument on his
lap. ] could not see a ray of intelligence
In his face. His large brown eyes were
dull and heavy, and his voice, when he
made some laconic reply to question, did
not bespeak a soul where music dwelled.
\
Ihave called Emotion" said my friend.
"Darby, give us Emotion, please.
Without replying or looking up, he
raised the violin to his shoulder and be-
gan. In a moment, his dull eyes were
orbs of living light. and his face, so bar
rem of expression before, looked like the
rich painting of grand old master. The
music had upon me such peculiar effect,
that I began to smile. l felt ashamed,
but looking at Williamson and his wife
saw that they were smiling. Another
strain, and we burst into laughter. l
never laughed so in my life. roared; l
1ell on the floor and rolled Another
strain. arose and resumed my seat
Tears began to trickle down my face and
I began to sob. Williamson came over
20 me, leaned on my shoulder and wept
bitterly. Mrs. Williamson sobbed as
though her heart would break, and from
the adjoining room, where the children
had been playing, came the piteous walls
Of grief. Another strain. Again we
were laughing. Williamson seized his hat
and struck me with it and punched him
In the ribs and whooped. A crock jar
Tas knocked from the table, and uncon'
scious of any treachery on the part of the
earthenware, Williamson trod upon it and
was thrown down while l, catching my
foot In the jar as it was rolling past me,
stumbled and fell headlong on the floor.
from ludicrous positions and assuming
postures of civilization, we looked at each
other in establishment I knew not what
TO say. Williamson had told me the
truth. When at last we had BECOME calm
again, I turned to Darby and said:
@You are more than great genius
You control mans emotions like a pillow
tnan controls his horse. Whence comes
this wonderful power?"
The light was dying from his eyes; his
face was losing its expression:
ats my soul, he replied. at viii &c
out that way"
he arose, bowed an awkward good
That night for thinking Of that wonderful
uerformance, and the next day found
myself attempting to hum one Of Darby'G
empyrean strains.
I'VE must send for him again, I said
TO Williamson. My being thirsts; he
alone can bring relief.
BE came again the following night
Again we assembled and surrendered t
his great power. The tears streamed anc
laughter echoed Suddenly felt a thrill
0f terror. The superstitiouS man who
thinks that he is confronted by ghost
Gould not with more terror, have felt the
sensations of fright. glanced toward my
friends. Williamson sat with his hands
raised. as though to ward off some great
sat trembling, and trying, it seemed, tc
khrink back into corner. l attempted
10 arise, but could not. Terror
Ike waves of cold water rolled across my
Aoul. / tried to cry out, but my voice ha6
deserted me. Suddenly, a piece of ict
aeemed to be lifted from me. A warn
love crept into my heort. The feeling wa
sublime, and in a brightness impaired tt
everything saw-in the reverence will
which dropped on my knees and claspeC
my hands-1 read religion. Yes, the
second birth which Nicodemus did no
understand, had come. Gradually TIT
feeling became more tranquil, and with {
haart OVERLOOKING with love, Iarose. Tn
music ceased, but experienced no shock
"The first time have ever heard that,
ssid Williamson, wiping the tears of 10!
from his eyes. 1t is a revival of tn
grace which 1 enjoyed years and year
ago, when my mother put her arm
around me one night, while kind friend
sang sweet Songs, and told me that wa
q child of God. Darbyl"
The musician did not reply. He "a
with his violin across his lap.
Darby" repeated my friend, you
music brings love and good will towar
men. do not think that you shout
withhold it from the world. Darby,
approaching, "let us go-iudge he adde