Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-08
MUSICIANS IDOL AND CARE FOR
HIS FAvoRITE INSTRUMENT.
Great Fascination of the Violin
why II Is the King of All Instru-
who should Play the "swinettc."
New York Times)

would never nave olsco'efeu WHAT MIN
Of business might be transacted In the
place And the same business had gone
on there for twenty years past, during
which time no alterations or improvements
have been made by the landlord. and the
same may be said Of the occupant. who
views the cobvebs in the corners of the
ceiling with calm and satisfied complais-
ance, and smiles at the inroads of time.
He is German, with a long, gray
beard and a whistle that has music In II,
and the music he whistles and some
times huns is purely classical. showing
the taste OF the man and his appreciation
Of that which is artistically majestic. once
within and in the presence OF the man,
you Will find scattered around and piled
up IN various parts Of the room, on old
tables and benches. musical instruments
Of all sorts. but particularly stringed In
strliments, some in good order and others
In pieces, some infirm and crippled, and
still others ready for sale. Some are In
boxes, and Wany exposed TO the atmos-
phere lie Vas talking with a friend who
had. like other occasional callers, just
dropped in for short chat, when their
conversation was interrupted by the en-
trance Of a little lad. who seemed TO be
In a great hurry as little lads often are,
and exclaimed. while he still held the
door Of the entrance In his hand:
Have you come TO II yet, sir?''
lie was a bright-looking lad, and his
face wore a smile as he made the inquiry.
The instrument maker looked up from his
work bench a little surprised at being 50
suddenly interrupted in the course OF both
Tan of no ha "A
glanced at the boy and comprehended who
he was. he smiled, and his old eyes twin
killed.. lie paused in his work with the evil
dent design of having a talk with the
youngster Ordinarily he would have gone
right on with what his hands were occu-
pied I'm doing. as he had done with the
friend who had Just dropped in, with his
eyes upon the work, while talking. but
the lad had something in him that evil
IDENTIFY pleased the old man and caused
him TO forget the work in hand for the
pleasure Of talking with him.
Il thought that perhaps you might you
see. have altered your mind and taken up
my Job right off. sir" continued the boy,
seeing that the man did not reply to his
first question.
IN A HURRY.
"Why, boy" said the other. smiling all
over his broad face, you only left 1t yes
terday morning and there's other jobs a
month ahead OF yours. Don't you sup
pose they want their instruments as much
as you want yours? Why. some Of them
are playing in the opera, and some are
leaders i'm orchestras. and can't do with
out them, but have to wait until i can
get at them"
The man seemed to enjoy the discom.
future Of the lad for his mouth opened as
If ready for a laugh. while a deep gloom
OvcTspread the countenance of the young
customer. For a moment, to the great
amusement of the on-looker, they re.
manned thus, the lad making a great en-.
deavor to discover some argument which
he might offer in furtherance of his OBJ
ject, and the man wondering how the
boy would get over the old and fixed
rule OF first come, first served" Finally
after squirming around a little, the boy
came TO full stop, and said confidently
as If he had found an argument which
could not be gainsaid: Don't you see
sir, my fiddle is no trouble to fix, and
and"-with an appealing look, 81 want 1T
so bad"
This time the instrument-maker could
not hold his laugh. and he laughed SC
heartily that the trio became a unit ir
the laughter. and the lad. selling hi:
opportunity. approached the bench and
pointing to a violin of cheap manufacture
said:
That's IL. isn't 1t. sir?'
Eyes. dots him." replied the man. Still
laughing, "and he looks as If he would
give me lots of trouble sometimes"
1t was a second teaser for the lad, and
brought him out again, for. with a face
full Of concern, he said, argumentatively
you'll see, sir, when you get at IT
there isn't much TO do, I'm sure. anC
then what's a fellow to do without his
violin? I've only one, and those othel
fellows have several. and can wait. I've
been used 10 having 1t every day. dom
you know, and there's no getting alonl
without IL any more than my breakfast
You don't know how badly want my fid
die. or you'd fix it right away. I'm sure
for you look like musician yourself
sir" AS he noticed the instrument
maker relenting. he continued, ''Yot
other fellows have several. which they
can use; and / can't get along, because
/ miss II So
YES" replied the other, cts a sad
case. i know" while his face wore a
mock smile. you two have only been
separated one day. and here you are.
looking after your baby as II 1t had
been lying here a month. like the others. "
The mans face did not bear out his
reproof. for 1t showed signs OF relenting,
which the boy was not slow 10 observe.
for he said: II was just on my way 70
school, and thought | would stop I'm and
see how II was getting along. SIR fond
ling his fiddle as he talked. as II at il
instead OF 10 the instrument-maker. RE
member, / want IL awful bad, and, II
you don't object. I'll stop In again TO,
morrow morning"
The lad looked so pleadingly at him,
the man could not resist him. and so he
said:
You may call in the morning. but,
mind, now | don't promise IL for you
then"
The boy laughed. gave him a merry
smile satisfied that he had materially
furthered his interest, then he rushed out
quite as quickly as he had entered the
shop, and tore down the street In great
hurry.
II suppose must fix that fiddle for the
boy after hours tonight. or get worried
TO death every morning about It," said
the instrument-maker, when Ihe lad de-
parted. "But i don't care, II / must for
get nv rule for once, 10 please and com
fort such lad He's worth it,"
WAS BORN IN HIM.
"WhyY' asked the visitor.
Because replied the German, who
was also a musician, and had made his
mark with the viollncello, "he loves his
fiddle. and music was born In him. You
should see that child draw a bow. AnC
he cant do without IT,. he glys. Ha
ha, Wen. / should say so. The only regrei
that fellow has about going to school Is
that he can't stay home to play his fid
die. Why, he sleeps with II under his
inflow, ! really believe, and he remind.
me OF my own boyhood days. You should
hear him play. Born In him. His father
700. The boy is TO have the best violr
In the land when he comes OF age. bu
he hardly needs IL.
"Why?" asked the visitor, with an en-
deavor TO draw ont the man as the mar
had drawn out the boy.