Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-10-06
S''ThAt boy grows bigger foolevery

!uo LLSllSn servant eyed him with
disfavor and went muttering to the
house.
"There's a dirty little Eyetalian
outside asking for you," she announc-
ed with extreme reluctance.
Paul Britain looked up Indifferent
ly; but suddenly remembering that he
wanted model for the picture he was
at work upon Gor he was an artist as
well as a musician he said, good-na-
turedly:
Cali right, Betty, send him in"
lie had forgotten all about Pietro,
but it all came back to him as t! boy
advanced timidly into the room.
"Aha! So you did not forget. Well,
| am i'll musical mood this morning,
so come with me-"
He led the way across a corridor in.
to a long, low MUSHROOM. A piano
stood in one end, strewn with papers;
three four violins and guitar lay on
a table, and near the window stood a
harp Paul smiled at Pietro's
astonished looks and babe him sit
down. Then he picked up one of the
viollns and began to play. Paul
Britain WAS no genius, certainly, but
he played well, and Pietro sat us still
as mouse, afraid almost to breathe.
Oh, if he could only play like that! A
great sigh welled up from his little
heart. The player understood the
sigh, and picking up one OF the violins
lie gave it into Pietro's hands and
showed him how to hold it.
1t was not a very expensive nstru-
ment and he would not miss it among
so many, so he let Pietro take it
home with him. Pictro departed
after promising to take good care OF
it and come the next day. With his
Unborn love OF music it did not take
him long to master the first difficult
ties, and Paul Britain was quite
proud OF his pupil.
But there came day when Pietro's
heart was sad, for Mr.. Britain was
going back to Eng gland. Before going
he took Pietro to see an old music
teacher-the one who played the or
gan in st. Mark sand left Pietro in
his charge with his lessons paid for q
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 q great singer from Rome
was coming to sing solo, He came
but at the last moment took a severe
cold, and was unable to speak above
g. whisper. The master was in des.
pair, when Pietro suggested that he
substitute an organ solo instead.
That would not do, but an idea came
to him-he would have Pietro play
on his violin, with the organ accom-
paniment. They practiced beauti-
full prayer, and the eventful day ar
rived. Pietro was nervous and fright
ened, and at thelast minute whispered
to the master telling him not to play
any accompaniment. The master
saw he was in O. state OF intense ex-
element, and, fearing the organ might
annoy him, he consented.
Pietro stepped forward to the little
irol>railing which ran round the or
gan loft and softly drew his bow. The
master started. 1t 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 unwonted
sound. A violin in church had new
err before been heard Of. They saw
slender boy with mouruful eyes and
face which seemed fairly illumined.
The soft notes rose and fell, swelled
and then died away to be taken up
again and carried into a perfect storm
OF sobs, which seemed to come from
the very heart OF the boy who play
ed. Perhaps he was telling the pa
thetic story OF his own little, storm
tossed life. The beautiful andante
ceased and q grand, passionate strain
swelled up to the vaulted roof, fairly
carrying the people with it, so reath-
lessly they listened. The tender,
eyes OF the boy seemed to
gain inspiration from the sweet-faced
Madonna and 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
time and place burst into tuEultuous |
applause. The old masters glasses
were dim and his hands trembled as
he reached for his handkerchief The
applause increased and Pietro was
obliged to step forward once more.
He bowed with awkward grace and
again drew back, out OF sight.
The Roman singer watched Pietro
as he played. Surprise, wonder and
took possession of him.
He paid visit to Pietros parents
and obtained permission Of them to
take the boy to Rome with him,
where he became famous.
The old master parted from him
with tears but Pietro never forgot
him. and when he had won fame and
fortune he insisted upon sharing with
the old master of St. Marks saying
that his success was due wholly to
the masters patience and Toying,
watchful care of him when he was a
little 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 wfe-all in
nj kiao-0