Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-26
A REVELRY BY NIGHT.
BY H. LAFoNTAINE.

BY II. LAFONTAINE.
A tall man, leaning heavily on cane,
was making his way slowly along Rue
Mazarine. The evening was cold and
misty; his clothing, not sufficiently
warm TO protect him against the severe
north wind OF this cold December day,
was composed only of thin summer pan
falcons, an old sack coat buttoned to
the chin and a large hat, the dropping
rim OF which concealed from view all
but his long beard and his heavy white
hair, which fell over his STOPPING shout
ders. Under his arm was an object
carefully wrapped In a checkered hand
kerchief.
He crossed the Pont and Place du
Carrousel, entered the garden OF the
Pulais ROYAL and made the round OF the
galleries, stopping several times to con-
template the brilliant spectacle. Then,
as If the flood OF light and the savory
Of the dainty dishes being prepared for
the midnight revelries had given him
the vertigo, he moved away trembling
in every limb, and did not stop until ne
found himself in the centre OF the Ooua
des FenUaines. Then raising his head
and seeing light shining from every
window of this restless hive, where
life huns in the leading strings Of work,
he took shelter In a passage way OF an
angle of this busy thoroughfare, placed
his stick within easy reach, leaned
against the wall, united his checkered
handkerchief and brought to view a
violin.
Assuring himself that the strings
were in place, he frightened them with a
trembling hand, and folding the hand
kerchief carefully, he placed it under
his chin; then putting his violin in
position he began TO play. The melody
was so sad and so discordant that two
or three stragglers, who had stationed
themselves before him, FASTENED away
with the reflection that such music
would make the devil run. A sleeping
dog in the neighhorhood began to howl,
and the passersby fastened their steps.
Completely discouraged, the man sat
down on a step, and, resting his instru-
ment on his knee, repeated to himself:-
II cannot play! Oh. my God! Oh,
my Godw and a verltable sob burst
from his throat.
Just then three young men passed by.
humming q familiar air.
They did not at first perceive the
violin player. One stepped on his fuot,
another knocked of his hat and the
third stood struck with astonishment
to see this noble man Of proud but un-
assuming appearance stand up and
eta
~ beg your pardon, sir. Have we
harmed you in any wayP"
mo" replied the violinist, bending
over with some difficulty to pick up his
hat. One Of the young men, anticipat-
ing his intention, picked II up and
handed 1t to him, while his comrade,
noticing the violin, questioned him:
Are you musician, slr|
81 was, formerly" sighed the old man,
as two large tears fell slowly into the
deep burrows of his wrinkled cheeks.
what Is the matter with you? Are
you i'll? Can we help you?"
The old man looked at the thres
young men earnestly, then passing his
hat, said:-
"Give me aims cannot earn my
living any more plrying the violin; my
fingers are stiff. NV daughter is dying
of consumption and-miserV."
There was so much sadness expressed
in the old mans voice that the young
men were filed with compassion and
quickly began to search their pockets.
bringing to light the entire contents.
Alas! the first could produce but hfty
confines; the second thirty confines
and the third but piece OF rosin. To-
sous to alleviate so much
Il was so littlel They
looked at each other hopelsssly.
''Friendsw exclaimed Charles, the
spokesman of the party, putting his
VIII ole heart into his words, there is
bro Their in need. You, Adolph, take the
vol in and accompany Gustaye, while
TAX up the collection"
No sooner said than done. Raising
the collars OF their overcosts, running
their fingers in their hair and bringing
it over their faces, pulling their hats
we'll down over their eyes, they put all
their youthful enthusiasm in their ef-
forts.
"For a starter, Adolph, that piece
you gave at the concours-to bring the
crowd together"
Under the skillful fingers of the
young virtuoso the old mans violin was
awakened into life, and the Carnival
of Venice" danced out with extraordi-
nary vivacity. Every window was open
ed; pedestrians stopped; applause burst
from every side; many = silver piece fell
into the old mans hat, which had been
placed in the full light OF a street
lamp. After a short rest the violin
started a new preluds.
NOW, Gustavem command Charles.
The young man thus named sang
'Viens, Gentle Dame" with superb,
vibrating tenor voice, full Of warmth.
The delighted audience cried, more!
more! morew The silver pieces fell
faster; the crowd multiplied. At his
for success the promoter OF
ne idea added:
"For a finish, the trio Of William
FELL Adolph, my old boy, while &C
US put your stress on your
bass notes, while 1 do my best with the
BARITONE. Gustave, my fine tenor. a
few heavenly notes and the larks will
fall ready roasted"
The trio began. The old man, fear
ing he was the plaything OF dream,
had remained TIL now inmovable, not
daring TO believe either his eyes or his
ears; stretching himself 10 his full
height, with beaming eyes and trans
figured face, ne seized his stick and be-
gan to beat the measure with master
stroke. Under this incentive the young
performers electrified the crowd.
Filled with enthusiasm, they we're