The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-10-24
GOOD STORY OF GoUNoD.

On Christmas evening, in 1887, m old
man with n stout stick walked slowly
through tho most fashionable quarter
OF Paris. His right arm closely pressed
to his side, as il it were some sacred
thing, an oblong object wrapped in n
chcckered cotton handkerchief. he
was thinly clad, shiyering and ema'
ciated.
He was buGetcd about by the skurry-
ing crowds, apparently at loss which
way to turn.
lie united the checkered handkerchief
and disclosed u violin aud bow. He
raieed the instrument aud started to
play sentimental strain, but tho re.
suit was only harsh and inharmonious
sounds. The street gamins Chafed him.
With n sob he fell down upon the steps.
resting the instrument upon his knees.
"My Godw he cried, II can no longer
play"
Three young men came down tho
street singing tune, then popular
among the students OF the Conservatolre
de Mnsique. One OF them accidcntly
knocked of his hat, second stumbled
against his leg.
The bnrcheadod old violinist rose
proudly to his feet.
Pardon, Monsieur" said the third
young man. ~ hope we did not hurt
YOU" The speaker picked up the old
mans hat.
NO." was tho bitter answer.
The young man saw the violin.
you arc musician"
ar ,,,,s opon - T,uf nrnoE I'm rS Vi nk lad
down the old mans cheeks.
"What is the matter? Are you l|'
The old man faltered for moment;
then no held out his hat to them.
Give me tritle, for the lovO OF God.
can no longer earn anything by my
art. My fingers are stiff, and my daugh-
ter is dying OF consumption and want, "
Down in his pockets went each one OF
the trio. They we're but poor students,
and the result was only sixteen sous.
This was tho combined capital OF the
two. The third had only cake OF
resin.
'"This won't do" declared tho one
who had apologized for the accident.
"Wo want more than that to relieve
our fellow artist. A pull altogether will
do it. You, Adolphe. take the violin
and accompany Gustave, while l 20
around with the hat"
a ringing laugh was the answer.
They pulled their hats over their
faces and tarned up their coat collars,
in order to avoid recognition. Adolphc
took the violin from the old mans
trembling hands. Gustavc Strengthened
out his shoulders. In another moment
the first notes OF the Carnival dc
Venso" was floating out upon the
night air. Such masterful music did
not customarily come from tho instru-
ments OF street players. Windows OF
tho palatial houses flew up, and heads
were thrust out OF the openings. The
strollers coming down the street
stopped, and those who had gone on
retraced their footsteps. Soon good
sized crowd had gathered. Gustave
sang the favoute Catavana from ia
Dame Blanche" in manner that held
the audience spollbound. 1t "rained
money" into tho hat when the song was
finished.
zone moro tune" whispered the
treasurer OF tho enterprise. Bring out
those bass notes OF yours, Adolphe. I'll
help you out with the baritone part,
Gustnve, my brave tenor. The heavens
will open and larks ready roasted fall
into the old mans mouth. Wen finish
up with the trio from 'Guillaume Tell.
And, mind now, wc'rc singing for the
honor OF the conservatory as well as for
the sake OF Il brother artist"
Tho three young men played and
sang probably rs they never played and
sang in their after life. Tho most crit.
cal OF audiences was enthralled.
Life came back TO thu old man, lie
grasped his stick, and, adopting it rs a
baton, used it with the air OF one hav-
ing authority. He stood transtiXed
when they had done, his face lighted
up. his eyes glistening.
The proceeds OF the entertainment
netted 500 francs. Many OF tho wealthy
listeners had thrown gold pieces into
the old battered hat.
Then they gave him back his nat and
its contents and wrapped up tho lns.ru'
ment in the old chockercd handker-
chief.
Your names! Your names" the old
man gasped. Give mo your namo4
that / may bless them on my death.
bed"
"Nly name is Faith" said Tho first.
"And mine Hope" said the second.
"And mine Charity" said the treas
uror OF the enterprise.
you do not even know miuc," con.
tiaued the old man, rcgainiaG his
voice. "Ah! Imight nave been an i'm.
poster, but am not. am not My
name is Chapuce. For ten years l
directed the orchestra OF the opera at
Strassburg. 1t was l who mounted
'Guillaume Tell Since l left my ma
tive Alsace misfortune has followed
me. With this money my daughter
and can 20 to the country and there
she will recover her health and shall
find a place to teach what / can no
longer perform. You-all OF you-shaIl
be the greatest of the greatest"
"AmeRw WAS the hearty response OF
tho aludents as they shook the old
mans hand.
DESPITE their attompt ut disguise the