Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-25

glasses But this was quickly brushed
away with the end of his bow, no note
being lost, for he was too conscientious
for that,
just this. and a strange yearning look
IN his face. when his dog, Walt, from
under his chair, tugged at the frayed
ends or his trousers. and looking zip in
MS masters eyes, expressed mute jo, In
the melodies. were all that were seen
and known of his inner life.
But Waif the dog, more than human
IN this, always understood the Professor.
II had even been limited that they were
both tramps. But, all told, the two lived
only Tor and with each other, and they
were not an unhappy couple.
Professor Poppett was an Interpreter Of
music. Walt had soul for music. Each
In his way worshipped Perhaps this was
what held them so closely together.
by and by the curtain rang down for
the last time upon the Grand Star Com
b'nation Theatre. Then the Professor
and Waif knew the misery OF beggary in
great city. At last. there was nothing
behind there seemed nothing beyond: so
they took TO the roao together. Profess
sor POppetts voice was melancholy at
best The old violin was tuned 10 more
ana iARtt iiVtTHlll CdItnCtS. 10y plea
san, Virginia farm-houses. AT the Kooty
doors OF muslcll cToss-road smithies. near
groups OF sturdy farm-hands drawn TO
the roadside. in brisk and pretty hamlets.
the Professor sang and played all through
the summer, while helpful Waif bravely
presented the ragged hat. But there had
grown TO BE- that hating in Poppetts
manner. that trembling hestancy In his
singing. and, more than all, that lessen
Ing faith In himself. which was so voiced
in ballad and Instrument that, though
all grinningly listened. only a few re-
wardea
one Christmas evening. penniless. sup
perless, hopeless. the two had been hooted
out OF a little town In Florida. where
they had wandered 10 escape the severe
winter. Reaching the edge OF ham,
mock well beyond pursuit. poor, simple
Poppett fell upon the sand exha lsted and
straightway burst into tears
Faithful Waif, true and helpful to the
last. crept up beside him. pushed his face
against his masters, kissed II In his dog
fashion. and whined comfortingly. After
q little tins the Professor patted the
brute tenderly. but could only say: "Wait.
Wait you miserable loving dog, Were
In hard. hard luck, Ell, Waltz" Waif
could not deny 1t.
Suddenly. the dog bristled up, listened
moment. and then snapped out n quick,
sharp growl OF alarm. The Professor
quieted him looked timorously away
through the night to the far lights Of the
distant town, and. with a bitter sigh of
encouragement. said 20 his loyal COM
parion: "God only knows where to, Waif,
but come along" Waif seemed TO insist
that somebody or something requiring
looking into was near them; but they
crossed a little creek. followed a road
which led UP a HILL and were presently
confronted by an old rail- gate, standing
half-O9en.
Here Poppett looked in vain for some
sign Of human habitation beyond. but
could descry only the dark face OF deep
pine woods ara above them The yellow
horn OF the moon.
He sank drear.ly upon a fallen log be-
side the gate. succeeding only in bring
ing Waif 10 his side by a sharp word OF
command-he seldom spoke to the dog in
this way-and then leaned against the
fence, giving himself up 10 the diresi
forebodIngs, which were quickly sue
ceeded by the stupor Of utter exhaustion
Was he dreaming?
There came to him in reality or dream
the voice of a m.eien In song
Nights. all sleepless, starless grow.
The old violin fairly flew to the Pro-
fessor's shoulder. The bow poised abort,
trembled in his hand. His head reached
far out and sidewise as If his whole being
thrilled in anticipation. while the dog
tail beat a lively tattoo upon the log
And thy nawken lover. dearie.
All the pain of waiting know;
Waiting, longing, with their woe.
Oh. how the old violin kept aecompani-
ment. 1t led, rather than followed. the
last line was given by the singer in
weird sad Minor When its final note
was hushed, the songstress, who was
certainly nearing the musician, seemed
To listen and wait as If to tease ana test
the performer.
He promptly repeated the melody OF the
last three lines. giving 1t the fiches'
and sweetest of coloring.
With a burst of such melody as Pop
petit thought he had never heard equaIIed'
the stanza was now finished
Darling, by our troth plight given;
Darling, by thy hope or Heaven
Oh be true as | to thee
Save the sweetest kiss for me!
The professor followed to the conclusion
with an improvised strain. which nlleu
anu QDbUtu lhOct SAo'Nf N'N f
with the rarest music.
The musicians head laid so near to his
loved instrument. and he had closed 'ht
improyisetion with such flourish, tha'
he WAS startled when he looked UP aho
discovered the mysterious songsress De
side him; but he withdrew his hat Win
a respectful Evening Ma'am" following
this with a rap of the bow on the dog
nose. and the injunction, MIND your
manners, sir! ,..,,o,
Waif arose upon his launches, duckeo
his head 10 the little lady, ana awaited
further orders. ,..,,,t
The moonlight falling upon the peautiiu
pirl showed her standing there win arm'
akimbo, intently regarding hrst the Aio
lessor and then the dog.
"You bent one o. hus. Is yea tachi
Romany?" "a genuine gypsy. she askeu
"A-a-what. ma'am?" stammered Pop
nett twirling his hat cohfusedly.
"A pilgrim?" This rather stolidly IRON
YES. lady; II rather think you migh'
call us pilgrims, Waif and l..
"Where be your-your friends AL.
"WelI lady'-the Professor was gettihe
into deep water-"well, Walf, theie'
my friend, and I'm Wars iriehu'
Hasn't we OlHtfo9
mo. lady"
Not on yeartn!
Not on earth A., go,
"No friends on yearth! An !o'
o.makin' that 'eavenly music! wy an
you're In sorry luck. sure!
Sorry luck, lady? All proke up III
Waif?' m do,
could She walked straight to the woe
hogone musician. took his ragged ma
from his hand. placed it kindly upon nj
head, and said:
"Might-might l beg We boldly to maxi
that music aging ,,
eyes. yes, a thousand times. lady!
Then the Professor put his very sou
into the work; played the melody iron
beginning to end. never missing note
and fingered lovingly over the improVlse'
refrain.
When he had finished he saw that ne
hands were clasped tightly across ne
bosom and that she was weeping bitterly
Loretta racklie! Oh. Loretta! caiie'
a rough but kindly voice from just owe
! the gate. "Oh, Loretta! Ha' ye ma pei
| ter come long wi Lige? Bring the hddie
Teller If ye likes.
"Ay. ay. Lijah Boswell. Tn music wa
a-puttin' me back in OF Yorkshire ike!
Then turning TO Poppett she said:
Come long wi your fiddle an dos
stranger. Anyhows, yen sure find su
an a bite wi hus!'
The girl had been 10 the creek for
J bucket OF water. Lijah Boswell took
! un and chatting merrily enough, led Tn