The Irish standard., 1886-05-01
THE SHATTERED VIOLIN.

III Paris flowed into the Sale d'Athenee,
where the great Joachim wa& advertised
to WELD his magic bow, among the row Of
first violins in Pasdeloup's famous orches-
ira, grouped upon the stage, sat Gustave
Thorez, Il gentle old enthusiast, smartly
bu toned up. in ,vell-brushed black coat,
with trim, gray mustache, and the ill.,
evitable bit of red ribbon in his button-hole.
On his final withdrawal, after repeated
calls to the front, Joachim, in threading
his way through the crowded musicians,
their Instruments and racks, passed close
enough to old Thorez to be arrested by
the look Of rare and dreamy delight upon
his wrinkied face.
'sThank you, mon ami," the great artist
said kindly laying his hand Oh Gustave's
violin MAY your instrument never do
less noble service to art than it has rem
dcred me to-nightp'
To Gustaye his speech was like an acco-
lade. Thenceforward the violin, always
dear, would be sacred to him, owning but
one rival in his reverential love. His COM
rades smiled when, the concert over, they
saw the ylc11x mustache, shouldering his
treasure, march jauntily away with
glow of color in his pallid face
Nearing his lodging, Gustaye quickened
u.
Mounting the five flights of an 1ntermina-
verse of popular song.
siShe will have reached home by this,
and the supper will be ready. My mouth
waters for the thigh Of that cold roast
fowl I saw her put away Supposing that
I don't tell her at once about my grand
event? That will give zest to the salad
4 1 4I,1 nh It N,7,~
ty Gabrielle, for she has been a tritle triste
OF late, Tye fancied. Pretty, wjllful little
Gabrielle! 1 have sometimes feared that
taking Mdlle. Cheri's place in the Cendril-
lon has turned her little head ITEMS, but
can feel beforehand the rose-le..f touch
Of her lips when she shall stand ON tiptoe
to give her old father deux grps bons bais-
ers upon the cheeks!'
Gustave had reached the last landing
and was fumbling at his door.
'Gabriellep' he called aloud, on opening
No answer, and his face fell.
.tShe will have been detained to sup, no
doubt, with our good neighbor, Mime.
Blanchett," he soliloquized, stumbling
about in the dark to find his matches.
'.What! no table spread for the hungry
vieux papa! Careless petite Gabriellev'
No light. no tempting little feast no
kiss OF welcome, no answering voice! Not
then, nor evermorel
People who cared to join in the mad
struggle for life and limb leading to re-
hearsal OF the Philharmonic society of New
York, during that period of time before
the society fell into its long and trance
like torpor, may have observed among the
yiolins upon the platform of the Academy
Of Music blurred and sketchy outline Of
the old Thorez who had appeared upon
the occasion of Joachim's debut at the
Athenee. The warlike mustache topped
drearily; the eye had lost it's power to
CLEAN or soften; the red ribbon on the
worn old coat dropped like the banner up
on a forsaken citadel.
Gustave had traced Gabrielle to Amer
ica and had come in search of her. but in
the city of New York-that great and pit
iless receiver of all unlawful foreign mer-
chandise-the clew was lost. Obtaining a
place in the orchestra of reputable soci-
ETY., he had fallen into the groove of a SOL
itary and unfriendly life. Among the few
who noticed him at all Gustave passed for
an honest old artist whose harmless mania
was the worship of his own violin.
One Friday afternoon Of 81 bleak Decem-
ber day, at the close of the Philharmonic
rehearsal, Gustave passed out of 14th
street into Broadway, where, sauntering
aimlessly down the sunny side of the
block, he saw lady descend from q car
riage in front of a fashionable shop. He
did not recognize the costly wrapping OF
sealskin, half shrouding a slender form,
nor yet the air of languid luxury. But
whose was that beautiful veiled face, that
tress of escaping golden hair If not his
Gabrielles?
Gasping for breath, Gustave held his
violin against his breast and waited. When
she came out of the shop on her way to
the carriage he intercepted her Without
aglance she waved him impatiently aside.
sEabrielle!' cried Thorez, with all his
broken heart in that single word.
The girl started, looked him in the face
and caught her breath.
"You are mistaken, my good man, or
mad. Do you want charity, or shall l
have to ask the aid of a policeman to help
me to my carriage ?''
"Gabrielle!" the old man said again,
falling back as If he had been shot.
At this juncture an interposing police
man took Gustave in charge, and without
elaborate inquiry CONSIGNED him, with h1s
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