Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-03-11

OF variations without taking his eyes
from the window above.
"Well, that is fandango," said the
planter, "but somehow that kind Of
thing amt just steady enough for me.
Say, boy. cant you give US 'Swanse
River 2"
Eyes, SIR" said Altoona, in sub
dued kind of way.
80, sing it, sing it. chap said the
man when Altoona had commenced.
There's nothing sweeter this time of
evening. | think; it kinder makes fell
low feel like home wherever hs is"
81 cant sing, sir" said the boy, in a
pitiful kind of way. putting his hand to
his throat, 81 used TO sing, but can't
now, and | don't guess ever can any
more. Somehow my throat amt been
all right since" lie didn't finish.
"Siuce when p said the planter.
"Since-since--dad gave my neck
twist tn other night"
Where's your dad 2"
"Hs was in Los Angeles then.
don't know where he is now. | ruined
away next day." and the boys eyes fell
again. well, I'd give five dollars to
hear somebody sing 'Swanee River"
and the planter drew his head in and
lapsed into silence. The twilight had
grown apace. At the station the por-
tsrs were lighting few sputtcring oil
lamps.
I'm sorry can't sing said tho
boy, with wistfui look at the mention
Of the five dollars. Without a word,
and before | knew what she was about,
Ulis was out upon the platform beside
the boy.
PLAY my accompaniment" she said,
laying her hand on his head, and begin
ming the sweet, homely old air Of 'Swanee
River"
Often had listened to her glorious
voice, but think she had never sung
as she sang now, and surely she had
never seemed so beautiful to me. The
light from behind sifted through the
loose curls of her golden hair making
halo around the young. fair face, saint
like in its beauty. The boy seemed
spoll-bound, the stragglers on the plat
form fell back silent and awe-struck,
and big tear-drop rolled down the
kindly face of the planter.
Here, lad, here" no said when the
song was finished, thrustinG not five,
but ten dollars into Altoonas hand.
"All aboard !" cried the conductor.
and in another moment the crowd was
dispersed. we we're gone and Altoona
was left with his ban 10 deserted upon the
platform. IL was my first visit to San
francisco. and in Ulis' beautiful home
on Mob Hill, was not long in forget
ting the little waif Of musician. Per-
haps u month passed. One day as We
were driving slowly through dirty mar
row street ia Chinatown we heard the
restless music Of banjo, and from tho
midst Of knot of ragged newSboys came
the words in tone that Impressed their
familiarity
Hear the baby king of the banjos,
the world renowned"
at is Altoona" said Ulic, ordering
the carriage stopped, but when th crowd
dispersed he was nowhere TO bo seen.
We were not little surprised about a
week later one afternoon, as we returned
from q brisk stroll around, to see two
men OF unsavory appearance cross the
street as we approached tho house, and
Altoona disappear hurricdly around the
corner Of the Flood mansion.
We had been talking and wero still
thinking of the little boy that night
when VIC babe each other goodnight, 50 |
was, singularly enough, not whit sur
prised to be awakened, little after mid
night, by hearing Ulis call to me from
the noxt room. Get up, auntie, please.
| hear Altoona giving US serenade
down under tho window. have had
the servants called, and am going 10
make them bring him ia. He needs
taking care Of, and the house will be
more cheerful for a child's presence"
| knew enough Of my niece's freaks,
If such they were, not to be surprised at
this, and | was soon up and had slipped
into my wrapper. Sure enough, from
the yard below came the quick strains
of the fandango. The house was soon
10 stir, Ulis opened her window aud
called down: wait u moment, please,
Altoona"
A pistol shot rang out sharp aud clear
on the night air, there was sound of
hurrying feet in the dark Of the houses
shadow, aud ia the full blaze of tho cleo
trio light We saw Altoona stagger aud
fall.
He was still alive when they brought
him into the housekeepsr's room, but
the bullets work was almost done. His
face was white with pain /; that was all
lie rolled his big, black eyes about visit
fully till they saw Ulis bending over
him.
T'm done for, miss, he said broken.
ly, butts albright; you're-safe.
[ heard dad an pard layin' game, an
| tried 10 beat them hero. Well, did,
but they got the bulge on me. But
its--sll-rigbt, miss" faint smile aud
1.-The old biujo'r played it's las tune,
an" but the lips gasped inarticulalsly,
the syclids quivsred, tho limbs relaxed.
aud the brave little soul Of Altoona was
gone.
10 dream Of milestone around your
neck is n sign Of what you may expect
il you get an extravagant wife. When
a young lady dreams of coffin it be-
tokens that she should instantly give up
lacing her stays tightly and always go
warmly and thickly shod 10 wet weather.