The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-26
THAT OLD VIOLIN.

Here comes the doctor, Drascovy
Now can introduce yon," said Mrs
Vincent, pulling up her ponies sharply
as she came alongside Q gentleman who
was walking leisurely out Of Brighton or
the London road.
cdr. Manifold. this is M. Drascovy, Of
whom have told you. 1t is very lucky
our meeting now, for he only stays will
me another "a hours or 30, and do wan,
him to see your violins. May he do SOP
with pleasure, Mrs. Vincent. shall
only be too glad II he will see them and
perhaps bring out some Of the sound thai
now lies dormant in them. When will
you come, monsieur"
"At any time tomorrow that may b.
convenient to you. DR.. Mandeld."
Then say after lunch. about half past
9; am not likely to be engaged them"
After a few minutes conversation
they said goodby, and Mrs. Vinceni
whipped up her ponies and drove int
Brighton to let her lion roar, as sh,
laughinSly said to Drascovy, the rising
violinist, with q great future before him
SO the critics said. DIR. Manifold wa,
something Of musician and had an ode
fancy for picking up stray instrument.
hero and there, some of them valuable
others of no worth, for the doctor did
not really know enough about violins al
ways to judge correctly their value, con
sequently he was we'll pleased that NJ
Drascovy should come and give his opin
ion and play on some of them.
The violinist turned up at the appoint
ed time, and soon DIR. Manifold brough,
out the first-a violin in dark mahoga
ny, evidently old and well seasoned
Drascoyy made some alteration in the
stringing, and having tuned the instru
ment the room was presently flooded
with perfect volume of melody. Foi
some time he went on playing, then end
cd with something like sigh and put
down the violin with nod of approval
Good, very good" he said.
II thought so, monsieur. What is thai
violin WORTH
Three hundred pounds at least. L
is besuty-one of the best l have evel
played on" .--..
Here is another that seems to m,
good. Will you try itT'
Once again there was appreciation OF
the musicians face.
"And here" said the doctor, sis ono
picked up last year in France, and
don't quite know what to make of it
Somehow or other never cared"-
There was knock at the door, and the
DOCTORS page entered. .........
Bad accident, sir, in the surgery; will
you GOMEZ"
You must excuse me, monsieur. Yor
will be able to amuse yourself till an
able to return, hope" ....
Drascovy did not reply, and the doctor
in his hurry did not notice that his guest
was gazing in speeches. wonder at the
instrument that had just been shown Il
him, His hand trembled as he took il
up lovingly, tenderly as it possible,
he murmured, 1.-THE realization of my
dream, or am still asleep A virgin
Stradivarius! Surely this is imagination
it cannot be realityp
He could hardly string and tune it
his hands SO shook, but soon he took u.
bow and seemed to listen cntrauced a
his own music. Then he put down I'll,
violin and pressed his hand to his fore
head, pacing up and down the room
Anon he played again and then took Ii
to the window for a better light. II,
literally caressed it with his long, thil
fingers. He knew there was fame ant
fortune in that instrument with one Wit
could do it justice. He must have it al
any cost.
But he was not rich; he could not pay
the money it was worth. Then he played
again, and n thought came to him.
He would dissemble. The doctor die
not know its worth. He would not tel
him, but he would hint that he wouli
buy it. His resolve taken, he had tim,
TO calm himself before the doctor reap
peared, and then they went on talking
DrascoYy hardly able to take his eye,
off the Stradivarius. Presently he rose
to go.
Eyes, your two instruments are good
very good. By the bye, would you car,
to part with the third?" making des
perate effort to appear calm. II have .
pupil should like it for"
"Oh, well, yes; | don't mind, if yor
will fix what you consider fair pricer
Drascovy WINGED.
Ten pounds he asked.
eyes, if you judge that to be it.
WORTH
He took the violin home to Mrs. Vim
cent, but he did not tell her much abou
it. lie went to his room, and for tn,
next "a hours he never left it. Ono,
they took him something to eat, but HI
sat or stood and played till Mrs. Vim
cent was quite ye1ed only as she sait
you never could tell what a genius wa
going to do next. She supposed he hat
an inspiration.
-
"My dear NJ. Drascovy! Can it be tw,
years since we saw you in Brighton
Are You never coming to see me again
All my friends are anxious to congratu
late You on your late phenomenal sue
eesses, so do come and dine with me OF
Tuesday or any day you like to name
\ Now, | shall really take no refusal. d,
the bye, have you heard of poor DIR
Manfelds sudden death-heart disease
His daughter is with me now. She wa
left SO very poor, for he was deeply il
debt. should like you to see her. Sin
cerely yours, Mildred Vincent"
Could he meet her, Drascovy Thought
r the daughter of the man he had defraud
ed. No! He would refuse, and yet a,
he sat down to write the note something
made him accept.
He was not happy man. Through
all his great success, due so largely t,
that wonderful violin, there had beer
tho skeleton at the feast, and now tn
doctor was dead and his daughter un
provided for, living it seemed, on charity
! M. Drascovy-Miss Manifold" sal,