Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-06-04
When he took his place in the stagecoach
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 a letter from Reuben for
Daisy, and everyone was hopeful. His
work was pleasant and was paying him
well. Some of the letters were dated New
York, some Boston, some Philadelphia; and
when winter came Reuben wrote from all
the great cities, even New Orleans, and
Daisy's heart throbbed high with loving de-
light to feel sure his love was true amid
the gay scenes he described, the new friends
he met.
= Winter sped away, spring blossoms bloom
ed and fell and the end of the year was
drawing near. A letter came to Uncle Jo-
siah:- =.
"Will you bring Daisy to New York" "
Reuben wrote, land judge for yourself of
my prospects,"
And Uncle Josiah, after long consultation
with Aunt Polly, concluded to go: Daisy
had a new dress of soft white muslin made
and bought dainty straw hat in the viii
lage. Then uncle Josiah wrote to Reuben
by what train to expect him and the journey
commenced.
Reuben was not at the depot, but in his
place was courteous gentlemen, who eX-
was detained by business, took the travellers
to a hotel where their rooms were engaged
and waited while they had supper. Then
telling them he would take them to Reu-
ben, he put them into carriage and drove
rapidly to white building, whose wide
hall was brilliantly illuminated. Here
well-dressed men and ladies in full evening
toilets were entering in crowds. Reuben's
friend led Uncle Josiah and Daisy to a seat
in the brilliant hall near the platform, and
told them Reuben would come soon.
In Daisy's hand he put a programme and
she wonderingly read of the musical treat
in store for her, only vaguely ycomprehending
it all. On every side the buzz of converse
tion bore the name of the great =, the
famous violinist, whose CremOna seemed
gifted with speech under the touch of his
Inspired fingers.
It was like dream. A White-rObed lady
came upon the platform and sang, gentle
man played a solo upon the piano: Then
there was great noise of people clapping
their hands and stamping their feet, fairly
bewildering poor country-bred Daisy.
A great hush, and softly, familiar as a
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 ne
drew his bow across the strings. Not a
sound but the music Of the Wondrous violin
broke the stiffness of the vast room, where
one mans genius kept the crowd SPELL
bound.
It was over, and the great violinist bowed
and was gone. Again the deafening, tu-
multuous 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 goodnight, 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 out his hand, the farmer grasped it
hard.
"No doubt was an old fool, Reuben"
he said: "but Pm not too old to learn"
And Reuben, over the dainty supper that
was presently served, told them how his
violin had won his fame and gold-more
than Uncle Josiah had imagined man
could earn in ten years -.
II have an offer to go abroad, Uncle"
Reuben said, "and if accept it sail next
month. May l take Daisy?"
eyes, lad. You've kept your promise
I'll keep mine."
"You are my guests this week, and then
I am free till we sail, so we may 60 home
for the wedding" Reuben said.
And Uncle Josiah, with inward misgiv-
ings about the boy, yielded to Daisy's plead
ing face and consented to the argument.
A week of sightseeing, shopping, intense
happiness, with three of the concerts where
Daisy's heart was divided between love and
pride, and then away to the farm.
There was quiet wedding, and Aunt
Polly wept over the long separation to
come, but the little bride had no misgiving
when she turned her face from her old home
to cross the wide ocean with her husband.
And Reuben, in his greatest triumphs,
when crowned heads were bent to listen to
the voice of his genius, would ever turn his
eyes to where, in some quiet corner, he
knew Daisy, too, listened to his violin.