The Opelousas courier., 1885-07-04
Charity h Masquerade.

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Al The phrase goes, I always feel
VERY Haslch put out whenever I hear
The complaint .,There are 10 really
good people, nowadays" One might
suppose that the present time was the
worst since the creation Of Adam, and
that his descendants, everywhere
were inhuman alike. / feel inclined
to reply: 1T isn't at all true. although
there are knaves enough in the world,
and d " country has more than
Its quota of rascals.s A bad deed is
quickly known everywhere, but a no
Bile action. n truly brave and unset
fish, is slowly advertised. Why then
should 4 be silent when I learn of a
good mans act Of goodness? Let me
now tell OF such a deed which hap
pened not lor7g ago.
II was d bright summer day in vi
emma, and the grand Prater was
thronged with people in holiday at
tire. Beneath the superb trees, in this
noted puhsc garden, old and young,
rich and poor, strolled about and many
strangers came to share in the festivi-
ties. Where so much cheerfulness
aboEnds, he, too, has something to
hope for, who asks charity's bestowal
from his fellow man hence a large
crowd Of beggars, organ-grinders and
harp-players were assembled there, all
seeking GO earn a few coins from the
passers-by.
For several years there had lived in
Vienna a pensioner, whose bounty
from the government was SO small
that It scarcely allowed him the nee
essaries OF life. He would not beg, SO
Die took his violin, which his father, a
Bohemian. had taught him to play.
and stood nndera famous old tree in
the Pratar, while his trained poodle
sat before him with ain old hat In his
mouth. into which fell whatever pieces
of money the people were inclined to
give. On this holiday, the veteran
stood there and fiddled, and, as usual,
the dog sat before him with the hat in
bib mouth, but the people passed by.
and The hat remained empty.
Could they but once have looked at
liln they must have had pity. Thin
white hair scarcely covered his head
hs was wrapped in d soldiers thread
bare esak. He had fought in great
battles and raany q scar had he re-
eaiwsd In remembrance of them. Only
three fingers On the right hand held
the bow. a bullet had carried of the
two others, and almost at the same
titns another rife ball had shattered
his lsg.
Bat the holiday-makers never no
tiCed him. although he had bought
strings fog his violin with his last
earnings, and Was striving to play his
old marches and dances with all his
might. Sadly and mournfully the old
man gazed at the crowds of people, at
their happy faces, and at their gay
costumes Every laugh seemed to stab
him tonight be would have 10 lie
down hungry on bis straw bed In the
garFet. His poodle was better off, for
BE- might perhaps find d bone iii the
street. with which he could allay his
hunger.
81 was getting late In the afternoon
yhe pensioners hopes were AS near
setting ~ the sun, for several Of the
people we're leaving. Is deep look OF
sadness came over his weather-beaten,
aearrad faee. He little thought that d
~sellvdressed gentleman was standing
not far from him, who had been lis
tensng and looking at him with an ex
preston 1T the deepest pity. Whom at
last " seemed frultless co remain. and
BIZ tired fingers could 40 longer guide
tha bow nor his leg bear him. he sat
down III i Stone. supporting his head
on his hands, and she'd i few bitter
tears.
Ihe gentleman, leaning against the
trunk of Il traes had seen bow the
wounded hand had wiped the yetsran's
sRaEs AWAY - that tsle ere II the
NeRaH R.ghe sea 30 traces III them. II
MHAA iii n saae teals had touched tha