The Washington critic., 1886-01-21

lo-inorrOW. 1 nave Dcen 0ilcreu WORK
in the city,"
Work in the city Well lad, it may
be you are too peaked for farm work,
and will find it easier there. But re-
member If you fail there's always Il
home for you here, Reuben.
Reuben grasped the hand held out
10 him in his long, slender fingers, aud
his sobbing "God bless you, sir I' came
from his very heart
Not even to Daisy did he tell his new
hopes, but babe her be faithful, and
whether he succeeded or failed he
would roturn at the end of the year,
When he took his place in the stage
coach for the railway station his new
friend was by his side.
Little Daisy kept her heart true.
Winter sped away, spring blossoms
bloomed and fell, and the end of the
year was drawing near A letter came
TO Uncle Josiah
-" Will you bring Daisy to New
York" " Reuben wrote, "and Judge for
yourself of my prospects p
And Uncle Josiah, after long consul.
totion with Aunt Polly, concluded to
60. Daisy had new dress of soft,
white muslin made. and bought a
dainty straw hat in the village. 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 gentleman
who explained to Uncle Josiah that his
nephew 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 Reuben, he put
them into carriage and drove them TO
n white building, whose wide hail was
brilliantly illuminated. Here we'll
dressed men and ladies in full evening
toilets were entering in crowds. Reu-
ben's friend led Uncle Josiah and Daisy
to seat in the brilliant hall near the
platform, and told them that Reuben
would come soon.
In Daisy's hand he put programme,
and she wonderingly read the musical
treat in store for her, only vaguely
comprehending it all. On every side
the buzz of conversation bore the name
of the great /, the famous violin
list, whose Cremona seemed gifted with
speech under the touch of his inspired
fingers. II was like dream. A white
robed lady came upon the platform and
sang; gentleman played solo upon
the piano. Then there was great
noise of people clapping their hands
and stamping their feet, fairly be-
wildering poor country bred Daisy.
A great hush, and softly, familiar as
a mothers voice, there fell upon
Daisy's ear the notes of violin, bear.
ing 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 he drew his bow across the
strings. Not sound but the music of
the wondrous violin broke the stiffness
of the vast room, where one man 8
genius kept the crowd spell bound.
1t was over, and the great violinist
was gone. Again the deafening.
tumultuous applause, and Reuben was
back again, playing an all 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 their new friend babe them
| goodnight, and opening the door they
stood face to face with Reuben-not
the pale, sad boy Of year ago, but a
man, self-reliant, glad and noble, one
who had found his lifc-work, and was
doing it well.
Uncle Josiah found the strap of his
glove most unmanageable, while Reu.
ben clased 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.
mo doubt was an old fool, Rcu-
ben," he said, "but I'm not too old to
learn" And Reuben, over the dainty
supper that was presently served, told
them how his violin had won him fame
and gold, more than Uncle Josiah
imagined man could earn in ten years.
81 have an offer to go abroad, uncle,
Reuben said, "and If accept / must
sail next month. May | take Daisy?''
"Yes, lad. You've kept your prom
ise; III keep NINE"
You are my guests this week, and
then | am free till we sail; so we may
go home TO the wedding" Reuben
said.
And Uncle Josiah, with inward mis-
| givings about the boy; yielded tc
Daisy's pleading face and consented tC
the arrangement.
There was quiet wedding, Reu
ben, in his greatest triumphs, wher
crowned heads were bent to listen tc
the voice of his genius, would ever turr
his eyes to where, in some quiet cor
ner, he knew Daisy, too, was listening
to his violin.-[Chicago Mail.