The Yazoo sentinel. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1916, 1891-08-13
(" A FIDDLE

Uncle Sis puritanical notions took in
slant alarm at the very mention OF that
wicked instrument, that TO HIM vcrita-
bio backbone Of Satan, strung with every
sin IN the calendar, attuned TO all the
bad impulses Of youthful natures
Aunt Priscilla seemed about TO say
something, as her gaze wandered from
the disappointed face Of their only
nephew 10 the stern, not to say hard one,
OF her husband, but, on reflection, de
sisted, the CLEAN In her eye, however,
bespeaking u merry thought, possibly a
thought Of by-gono days.
'But, Uncle ST. said the delicate
Abner, "thc blind boy does fairly make
the thing talk, and talk good, too. Why
! almost cried when he played Aud
Lang Syne.
"Auld Lang synew repeated his
uncle, the stern face relaxing somewhat,
ION a 6ddlol Why, never knowed
you could play on that instrument any.
thin 'cept 'money-musk, and jigs and
hornpipca, and SIGH, Bent you slightly
mistaken, Abner"
Abncr suppressed a smile, as he met
the sharp gaze OF his uncle.
"No. cir, I'm not he answered (;
"and he plays ever 80 many tunes, too,
the Doxology, and ~
The Doxoogy on fddlol That
was too much for the unbolieying old
man.
"Thats wickodcr than all the rest, F"
| he interrupted. ''Icd you stopped at
Aud Lang Syne, | might hey give in
and bought the fiddle for We, but"-and
the speakers face settled into so stern
an expression, that Abner knew further
argument to BIO useless.
"'And they played on harp Of o
thousand strings quoted Aunt Pris'
ella. "'and they rejoiced with the
trumpet, and brazen Instruments and
no doubt with various stringed ones be
side"
"But not on fiddle, stoutly main
tanned her husband, picking up his hat
''that's the devils own instrument,
| and out he went TO close the argu-
ment.
~ don't Sec" testify said Abnor,
''why Uncle 81 has such an aniipathy to
a violin. Its ignorance, and nothing
else, Aunt, which makes some old peo-
pie so intolerant OF modern advancement,
IN the sciences, and - and - every
thingn
ats not exactly Ignorance that causes
your Uncle's dislike of the iddle,n re.
turned his Aunt Priscilla, with demure
smile. ole never liked one since--sinct
he caught mo dancing contra dance
once, with--with---"
"Oh," interrupted Abner, "did yoI
ever dance, Aunt2'
eyes, and your uncle was very
jealous OF my partner and faint pinl
flush dyed Aunt Priscila's wrinkles.
CON- cried Abner again. "How
funnyl" picturing, as he spoke, the ben
form of his aunt, capering up aud dow
the long line OF dancers, and Uncle 81
leaning upon his stout stick, glow erinl
from under his shaggy gray b.ows upoI
his rival.
That show funny touched the oil,
lady somewhat, until, divining how TIN
youths thoughts were tending, sh
arose, unlocked . drawer in the old
fashioned sidc-board and, among th
many daguereotypes therein, selected
two, which she laid before the smiling
Abner
"Your Uncle 81 was well-favore,
lad, v said she primly. Gas you win sec
and-And in those days, was looke'
upon as a right bonny lass, too" witt
which words, and faint sigh, Aun
Priscilla turned aud left the room.
The next day found her and Abner il
close consultation. She loved the La
and deeply sympathized with his tast
for music.
"We must use strategy" said she
arguments are of no avail against tn
deep seated prejudice Of your uncle"
That evening the farmers Journa
had been thoroughly scanned, even &
the last advertisement and the old ma
sat half doing IN his chintz-covered arr
chair, the old lady opposite, placidl
knitting, and near by Abner seemingl.
intent upon squaring the circle.
Family upon the evening stillnes
broke note or two Of plaintive music
Abner and his aunt exchanged glances
Like an wolian harp swept by unset
fingers Of the air, came. at intervals
those low sweet strains to their listening
ears.
'sThat's powerful SWEET murmure'
Uncle 81. half dreamily, "powerfu
sweet, kin tell We.
Clearer and clearer came the sounds
till presently, with almost humal
voice, the instrument sobbed out tn
notes Of "Auld Lang Syne. !"
Like one electrified, Uncle 81 sat up
night in his chair.
Gwen have a thought Of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.n
The old mans voice rose and fell will
the instrument. and when the air wa
done, neither Of his listeners smiled 3
he drew forth his cotton bandanua ans
Justify blew a clarion note Of emotion.
That sounded somethin' like
fiddle he said mcii,atively. '.but,
sturiily, mo fiddle could talk like tina
least WAYS ] never heard one
His wife made no reply. for at thi
moment arose the air Of one Of Tor
Moors's melodies:
"Beliove me, If all those eudearing younl
charms,