The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-10-10
THE ENCHANTED VIOLIN.

| was us CtSOOiu w UO 3D. k1c WuS pOJEs ~ u
true, but poverty is not an infamous thing,
as every one knows. Perhaps it was because
the young girls did not love him as much as
possible, for when have you ever seen mad
caps act otherwise than thoughtlesslyf
Vlasin Doroschenka was a handsome boy,
yes, even the handsomest boy in Sotwinka,
his features energetic and grave, his COM
plexion of brown amber, his hair thick and
black. cut short upon the brow, forming a
whole to which two eyes, profound and
| dreamy, gave something that was singu-
larly gentle and sympathetic. The young
girls, those pretty Knockers, seeing him
always remain silent and pensive instead Of
singing and dancing like the others, the
! young girls say, having formed their own
/ opinion Of Vlasin, did not willingly follow
the same road as he.
Nevertheless. if he showed himself SO little
communicative and lowered his gaze with
such persistency, 1t was to lend more at
tentive ear, not to that which was being
said to him, but to that which was passing
within him, and the melody which he heard
there, yelled and mysterious, was an enigma
to which ho as yet was unable to find the
key.
He did not comprehend il any more than
he comprehended the conduct OF Dodena,
to detest him If anything more than her COM
panions, and lifted her lip with little dis
dainful movement whenever she encountered
the poor boy.
Was it to study and penetrate this charm
ing sphinx that Vlasin concealed himself SO
frequently behind tree stump to see her
pass, behind a column to see her pray, and
never took his eyes from her whenever she
was In seeing distancei
! One evening Doroschenka was traversing
the village; tho moon was up and stripping
with shadows the road that she whitened
with her rays, tipping with silver the coral
las of the sleeping flowers and the margins
Of the we'll All at once he perceived q
human figure, tall, gaunt, and which seemed
| to be striving to hide itself in the prickly
hedge. At the same time he heard trembling
voice that stammered out prayers and sup
plications Vlasin approached and recog-
nized the old Abisch, q man much respected
and loved in the country side because of his
double talent Of violinist and chiromancer.
They said, even, that he was something of q
sorcerer, but sorcerer only in the amiable
acceptance Of the word.
"What is the matter with you, Abischgn
the young man demanded
"What is the matter2 What is the matter
spairing voice; "do you not see for yourself
that ferocious dog with my cap in his teeth,
and who wishes to tear me to pieces9' And
looking closely Vlasin did indeed discover
tiny little pug dog which had stopped before
Abisch and played with his property as gayly
as any other young and inexperienced animal
would have done. He chased him away,
however, simply TO reassure the old man,
! who decided then, but not till then, to quit
his refuge all white with blossoms and sweet
with perfumes.
81 owe you my life, vlasinlp cried the good
man with effusion; II shall never forget it,
swear It'll" and he walked away rapidly.
Some time after this lie came upon Doro-
schenla alone upon the steppe, seated upon O
hillock, dreaming.
''What is tho matter with you, vlasinq' de-
manded the yiolinist in turn.
"What is the matter with meYs repeated
Doroschenka "God knows it doubtless. but
lam ignorant OF 1t. All the same. little
important as it is, I should like to know why
every one dislikes me, and why the young
girls turn away from me as il 1 had the evil
eye.p
SIS II sof, replied Abisch. sseh bfeni then
am going to give you a confidant for your
troubles, a friend to whom YOU can open your
heart, and who will respond like an angel
when YOU ask him ouestions.n
Sand il isr----
"This, Doroschenka. this.n and openinr his
talas the good Abisch drew from it's folds
violin far from appearing new. and at the
same time pressed into his hands the how
aAb. thank vo,, - said Vlasin d;aa nro;nta,,.
81 am unable to make Il serve me. y
aPardon me. it Is unneoess,arv that Won
should know how to play it.n,
"Unnecessaryl Then Is the violin en-
chantedT, said the Young man. still uude-
cided. The old musician shrugged Ills shoul-
ders. smiled and. turning away. disappeared
under cover of the heritage OF tho sterpe. ike
bird that regains in haste the shelter Of its
leafy covert
Doroschenka remained aloue with his main
and his violin In thesplaiu. immense and soIi-
tary. contemplating with the strancest and
most inexplicable sentiments the mysterious
present of his old friend. At last ho took
courage ord lifted It 70 his shoulder.
"Wh{ should I notY' he said to himself.
"Nobodv can bear ,ne--nol,odv but Cod
and perhaps IL "a not n crime TO render upon
the wood that he has created harmonious
sounds that viii chant his praises.n
The steppe, green and undulating. uprolled
before him as far as the eve could reach. the
spirit of the spring yyas IL, his soul. the bees
bugzed by hundreds in q sort of pious muir
muring, while above him sounded tho clear
song Of the birds. losing itself in the blue air.
the light warm and golden. vlasin rose'up
and, throwing glance about him, drew tho
bow across tho chords and listened. 1t
seemed to him as II tho whole world had
hushed itself to pay attention.
soon the notes, undecided and hesitating
at hrst. came fast and pressing; 1t was like
the vanishing OK an eva charm under which
ne, Doroschenka. until then had been bound
and fastened. ne perceived IL himself, this
wealth OF dormant melody that was in him,
ana when ne made 70 pass into the sonorons,
echoing body Of tho instrument In his hands.
ne compromised notning OF TINS miracle
tnat nad happened 70 nim-ne VINO mao re-
celyeo lessons from no one
No matter' ne remained tnere IN inc midst
9, mat nature 80 suddenly reborn In MN