The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-11-07
THE ENCHANTED VIOLIN.

Vlasin Doroschenka had this peculi-
arity, that he went always with his gaze
bent upon the earth, though lie had
really no other motive for lowering his
eyes than because it was his custom to
do so. lie was poor, it is true, but
poverty is not an infamous thing, as
every knows. Perhaps it was because
the young girls did not love him as much
as possible, for when have you ever seen
madcaps act otherwise than thought
lcsslyi
Nlasin Doroschenka was handsome
boy, yes, even the handsomest boy IN
Sotwinka, his features energetic and
grave, his complexion of brown amber,
his hair thick and black, cut short upon
the brow, forming a whole 10 which two
eyes, profound and dreamy, gave some
thing that was singula7ly gentle and
sympathetic. The young girls, those
pretty Knockers, seeing him always remain
silent aud pensive instead Of singing and
dancing like the Others, the young girls,
] say, having formed their own opinion
of lasin, did not willingly follow the
same road as he.
Nevertheless, if he showed himself so
little communicative and lowered his
gaze with such persistency, il was to
lend more attentive 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, veiIed
and mysterious, was an enigma to which
he as yet was unab c to find the key.
He did not comprehend it any more
than he comprehended the conduct of
Dodesa, the daughter of the rich Betzor,
who seemed to detest him if anything
more than her companions, and lifted
her lip with little disdainful move
ment whenever she encountered the poor
boy.
Was it to study aud penetrate this
charming sphinx that Nlasin concealed
himself so frequently behind tree stump
TO see her pass, and never took his eyes
from her whenever she was in seeing
distancel
Cne evening Doreschenka was travers-
ing the village; the moon was up and
stripping with shadows the road that she
whitened with her rays, tipping with
silver the corallas of the sleeping flowers
and the margins of the well. All at
once he perceived human figure, tall,
aaunt, aud which seemed to be striving
to hide itself in the prickly hedge. At
the same time he heard a trembling
voice that stammered out prayers and
supplications. Vlasin approached and
recognized the old Abisch, a man much
respected and loved in the countryside
because of his double talent of violinist
and chiromancer They said, even, he
was something of a sorcerer, but sor-
cerer only in the amiable acceptance of
the word.
What is the matter with you,
Abisch. I" the young man demanded.
"What is the matter, What is the
matter with mel" cried the unhappy art
ist in a despairing voice; "do you not
see for yourself that feroc;ous dog with
my cap in his teeth, and who wishes to
tear me to piecesW 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 inexpe-
rienced animal would have done. lie
chased him away, however, simply to re.
assure 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, Vlasinl" cried
NhO HODh lldu WIN ohtll
never forget it, / swear it," and he
walked away rapidly.
Some time after this he came upon
Doroschenka alone upon the steppe,
seated upon hillock dreaming.
'What is the matter with you. Vlasin i'
demanded the vlolinist in turn.
"What is the matter with met" re,
peated Doroschenka, "God knows 1t,
doubtless, but lam ignorant of it. All
the same, little important as it is,
should like to know why every one dis
likes me, and why the young girls turn
away from me as if had the evil eye"
''Is il so" replied Abisch, sch bien
then am gong to give you a confdant
for your troubles, a friend to whom you
can open your heart and who will re-
spond like an angel when you ask him
questions"
"And it is-p
"This, DoIoscheuka, this" and open
ing his talas the good Abisoh drew fortl
from its folds violin far from appear
| ing new, and at the same time pressed
into his hands the bow.
"Ah. thank you,n said Nlasin, disap
pointed, Il am unable TO make it serv,
me-"
"PaIdon me, it is unnecessary tina
you should know how 10 play it,