Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-08

and begged her parents to permit her
10 stay with his mother until morning.
They were kind-hearted people and
consented; they insisted on his drinking
bowl Of milk, which was very accept
able. After thanking them he set out
on his Journey.
A wiulstorm ragged violently, so that
the lad could scarcely sec his way, and
the drifts Of snow were often far above
his waist On either hand the fields
stretched white with snow; the pine
and fir trees which sltirted the road
presented curious and fantastic forms,
and the bushes were like COLLINS with
white sheets around them.
II was already quite dark when he
reached the great city, although the
hour was early, Al first the lad was
fairly bewildered with the unaccus-
toned noise and hustle, the crowds OF
people and the thousands OF brilliant
| lights which he had never seen before.
Hut In order TO carry out his plans
successfully and reach home that night
Berthold knew that he had no time 10
spare.
lie selected place near n public
square and took the cloth from the
violin. With trembling fingers he
frightened and tuned tho strings and
then began TO play.
In very short time n crowd gathered
around him, but he did not mind them
In the least and played on. Two men,
tall and distinguished, attracted by the
sight, stopped TO listen.
what have we here, Hansp" said
one.
"A wandering minstrel, Olo Let us
go nearer and have peep"
They crossed over the street and
pushed their way through the crowd.
The stranger called Ole went over to
the lad, and smiling down upon him
asked him where he lived and why no
was out 30 late.
In few words the lad told the gem
tlemen his simple but touching story.
The tall stranger stopped and took the
lad up in his arms and kissed him.
"You must como with me-" he said,
and his face and voice were so kind that
Berthold was not at all alarmed.
Tho two men spoke rapidly In n
strange language and halted before n
magnificent palace brilliant with many
lights. They entered, the tallest still
bearing Berthold In his arms.
They passed through an elegant cor
ridor with wonderful pictures and thou.
sands OF lights until they came 10 tho
door OF chamber at the end. The
stranger put the lad down and brushed
his hair little.
Fear nothing" he whispered; ire
member we arc your friends"
They entered a magnificent apart.
ment which was crowded with elegant.
ly dressed ladies' and gentlemen. One of
the company, an old, white. haired man,
came forward TO welcome them; the tall
stranger whispered something, aud
Bcrthold could see by their looks and
gestures that no was the subject OF
their conversation, and that the old
gentleman seemed TO be very much
amused.
lie came over TO the lad and pinched
his cheek The lad noticed that his
breast was covered with ribbons and
stars, and he knew he must be som'
great prince. After a few minutes con
versation he turned TO the assembled
| NSiHP"H1i "hN ~ " ~ eAb y AoAb A"bN ~
gan 10 address them.
At this everyone became silent anc
the lad saw that all eyes were upor
him When the prince had ceased th'
tall stranger Bertholds irlend' stoope'
ana whispered 10 him.
Now, my lad, do not be afraid" h'
said, kindly, play your best"
Berthold raised nus violin TO his neef
ana began 10 play niue song that NJ
had composed himself IL was very sun
pie butsweet ana touchlnR' ana thrille'
every heart when he had finished TN
whole company applaudeu' ana tn'
prince Oaue MN piay agaih
After the applause had suDsided th'
tai stranger stopped ana Kissed th'
lad and then took the violin into M
own hands, and wonderiul 70 relate
played berthoiuh coilPosit'oh WIN Vari
atiohsi never was hSura s"cn rivlsliiht
SOUNDS nhu tho uoi'sn'eu company "P
Piauueu iouu'y'
But suddenly the lad thought OF MI
sick mother nj nome ana inc tear
came 10 MS eyes Ills tai friend no
tced this, ana when he questioned nm
the lad told MN nus thoughts ana pegge'
to be allowed't TO return hone' Us MI
mother might be anxious
The two strangers bade the company
farewell, and Bcrthold bowed very low