The Lamar register., 1892-10-22
heart. The player understood n.

heart. the player understood the
sigh, and picking up one of the violins
he gave 1t into Pietro's hands and
showed him how to hold it.
IL was not u very expensive instrt..
ment and he would not miss it among
SO many, so he let Pietro take it
home with him. Pietro departed
after promising to take good care of
II and come the next day. With his
inborn love OF music it did not take
nm long to master the first Difficult.
ties, and Paul Britain was quite
proud OF his pupil.
But there came day when Pietros
heart was sad, for Mr., Britain was
going back to England. Before going
he took Pietro to see an old music
teacher-the one who played the or
gan in st. Mark's-and left Pietro in
his charge with his lessons paid for e.
year in advance.
The old man took infinite pains
with his young pupil, and he in his
turn worked hard to please. One
day there was to be a great musical
festival in honor OF some one OF the
saints, and n great singer from Rome
was coming to sing n solo, He came
| but nt the last moment took a Severe
cold, and was unable to speak above
whisper. The master was in des-
pair, when Pietro suggested that lie
| substitute an organ solo instend.
/ That would not do but an idea came
20 him-he would have Pietro play
On his violin, with the organ accom-
/ paniment. They practiced II beauti-
iul prayer, and the eventful day ar
rived. Pietro was nervous and fright
ened, and at the last minute whispered
to the master, telling him not to play
any accompaniment. The mas ter
saw he was in n state OF intense ex-
citement, and, fearing the organ mi ,iit
annoy him, he consented.
Pietro stepped forward to the little
| iron railing which ran round the or
/ gan loft and softly drew his bow. The
master started. II was not the piece
\ which Pietro had practiced, but
| Pietro needed not. His eyes rested
upon the beautiful picture OF the
/ Madonna which hung over the altar.
/ People turned round at the uuwonted
| sound. violin in n church had nev-
er before been heard of. They saw n
/ slender boy with mouruiul eyes and n
face which seemed fairly illumined.
\ The soft notes rose and fell, swe.acd
| and then died away to be taken up
I again and carried into perfect storm
/ OF sobs, which seemed to come from
I the very heart OF the boy who play
I cd. Perhaps he was telling the pa
| thetic story of his. own little, storm
I tossed life. The beautiful andante
c. ased aud n grand. passionate strain
| sNelled up TO the yaulted roof, fairly
/ carrying the people with 1t, so reath-
lessly they listened. The tender,
rournful eyes OF the boy seemed to
! gain inspiration from the sweet-fnced
/ Madonna aud her beautiful babe, and
/ the beautiful music rose in triumph
ant waves and then softly, softly
ceased.
As he wiped the moisture from his
| face the audience below, forgetting
I time and place burst into tuE:ultuous
applause. The old masters glasses
were dim aud his hands trembled rs
he reached for his handkerchief. The
/ applause increased and Pietro was
/ Obliged to step forward once more,
I He bowed with awkward grace and
/ again drew back, out OF sight.
The Roman singer watched Pietro
ns he played. Surprise, wonder and
admiration took possession OF him
| He paid visit to PIetro's parents
and obtained permission OF them to
take the boy to Rome with him,
/ where be became famous.
The old master parted from him
/ with tcnrs but Pietro never forgot
/ him. and when he had won fame nrd
fortune he insisted upon sharing with
I the old master OF st. Marks saying
that his success was due wholly to
the masters patience and loving.
/ watchful care OF him when lie was n
/ it.le boy; nor did he forget Paul Brit
tain, but spoke OF him with love and
| tenderness
Pietro never married, Music was to
him father, mother and wiie-aI in
al!.-ChicRgo News.