The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-14

to her and hurried on. He stopped at
the farmhouse where Gretchen lived
and begged her parents to permit her
TO 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 windstorm ragged violently, SO that
the Lad could scarcely see 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 skirted the road
presented curious and fantastic forms,
and the bushes were like COLLINS with
white sheets around them.
1t was already quite dark when he
reached the great city. although the
hour was early. At 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.
But IN order to carry out his plans
successfully and reach home that night
Berthold knew that he had no time to
spare.
He selected place near a public
square and took the cloth from the
violin. With trembling fingers he
frightened ard tuned the strings and
then began TO play.
IN a very short time a 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, Hans?" said
one.
"A wandering minstrel, Ole Let US
go nearer and have q 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 he
was out SO late.
In few words the lad told the gen.
tlemen his simple but touching story.
The tall stranger stopped and took the
Lad up in his arms and kissed him.
"You must come with me-" he said,
and his face and voice were SO kind that
Berthold was not at all alarmed.
The two men spoke rapidly in
strange language and halted before
magnificent palace brilliant with many
lights. They entered, the tallest still
bearing Berthold in his arms.
They passed through an elegant cor
rider with wonderful pictures and thou
sands of lights until they came to the
A.
stranger put the lad down and brushed
his hair a little.
Fear nothing" he whispered ire
member we are your friends"
They entered magnificent apart
ment which was crowded with elegant
ly dressed ladies ana gentlemen. One of
the company, an old, white-haired man,
came forward to welcome them; the tall
stranger whispered something, and
Berthold could see by their looks and
gestures that he was the subject of
their conversation, and that the old
gentleman seemed to be very much
amused.
He 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 some
great prince. After a few minutes con-
versation he turned to the assembled
company, and in 4 strange language be-
gan to address them.
At this everyone became silent and
the lad saw that all eyes were upon
him. When the prince had ceased the
tall stranger, Bertholds friend, stopped
and whispered to him.
Now. my lad, do not be afraid" he
said, kindly, ''play your best
Berthold raised his violin to his neck
and began to play little song that he
had composed himself. 1t was very sim
pie, but sweet and touching, and thrilled
every heart When he had finished the
whole company applauded, and the
prince babe him play again.
After the applause had subsidized the
tall stranger stopped and kissed the
lad, and then took the violin into his
own hands, and, wonderful to relate,
played Berthold's composition with vari-
atoms; never was heard such rayishing
sounds, and the delighted company APP
plauded loudly.
But suddenly the lad thought of his
sick mother at home and the tears
came to his eyes. His tall friend no.
ticed this. and when he questioned him
the lad told him his thoughts and begged
to be allowed to return home, as his
mother might be anxious.
The two strangers babe the company
farewell, and Berthold bowed very low.
At the door of the palace u splendid
sleigh was waiting and the lad ex-
planned to the driver where to go, and
the city was soon left lar behind.
When they arrived at the cottage the
lad descended first and opened the door
very softly. His mother was awake
and Gretchen was sitting beside her;
she sprang up with a glad cry when she
saw Berthold.
My dear boy, where have you been?"
said his mother, kissing him. land who
are these gentlemen"
I'VE are his friends, madam said the
one who had played the violin. I'VE
have come to help YOU"
They had g long and earnest con-
versat ton with the sick woman and
promised to return again on the NOR
row; ON the table they left . letter. and
when they had taken their departure
the sick woman opened it and found
two large banknotes. The letter
begged her TO accept the money and
promised to give Berthold opportuHi-
ties to educate his musical talents in
the future. and the signatures at the
bottom were those Of "Ole Bull and
s.HanS Ch,-;cr1.r,