Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-26

sic in abundance, and was chief mu-
stefan among the violins. 1 laughed and
the world laughed with me, as it is
prone to do with the prosperous and
independent And mingiing with the
New Years chimes which, from many
a tall steeple, rang out the old and in
the new, was the angelic voice OF my
mistress made vibrant and vital with
unspeakable joy. Unspeakable in mere
words, of course, but capable of inter-
probation in song People said my mis-
t1ess and I were inspired. OF course
we were, for I was full of sunny mem
cries voiced in music, and 1nez, radiant
with love, interpreted in songs sublime.
This household has been a happy one
ever since, and in the place of honor
outranking newer and fresher furniture
in the family sitting-room is my an
t;que case and myself. We see all that
is going on, and Inez makes of me n
sort of shrine, for she loves me still
as in days of yore. The consistency of
such natures is proof against change.
Happy indeed are they who have such
friends.
Near me in the sitting-room stands n
crib, and the jewel in this particular
casket is a pin<-chceked baby with
those wonderful italian eyes. and looks
in which those of its father and mother
seem strangely and mysteriously blend
ed. But it's music? Well, 1 do not pre-
terd to interpret the songs of all emo
tioss, and this little cherub's song is
too much for me. 1 can stand it's laugh
and enjoy it's cacllle or crow, but when
it lifts its voice for more vigorous mu-
steal effort 1 prefer boiler factory or
the filing of saws. / love it, of course,
hut one can love a wee sinner without
loving its sins. AS an antique gifted in
hnrmonics and such, protest against
it's methods of playing ''bawl" or ser
enading.
The strangest thing of all is that its
father and mother, loving and under
standing harmony, seem to love even
it's war yells and efforts when sailing
to windward in house-madc squall.
All the same. we shall have christen-
ing this New Year, and from the plans
have overheard, it is to be gay event.
Ills babyship is to be saddled for life
with a name, and there will be feasting
and dancing galore. We violins love
dancing, for at such events we rule the
roost, and every merrymaker obeys us
as implicitly as soldieos obey their gen
eral. Even the clu1usiest feet step in
time to our bidding and dare not dis
obey. Come out to the christening,
dear reader, and see what home made
happy, hearts gladdened and faces il
lumed are like. On the household altar
in this little home loves sacred flame
burns clear, for the draughts of sus-
picion, envy, jealousy, hatred and un-
charitableness never imperil it's glad
some glow.
This is a very simple story, but it may
prove to you the power of love and
harmony to promote happiness, the pos
sibilities within reach of an antique
violin. We violins are generally a happy
race, with no hypocrisy in our songs,
no strife entangled in our strings.
Would that all the world might learn
from us the secret of song, the SYM
pathy which vibrates to loving touch,
the intuition which brings two souls
together along the magnetic current of
memory and music, the trinity of in
spiration which is represented by love
enshrined in song and hallowed with
the spirit of harmony.
My story is ended. Despite its SIM
plicity despise not the voice of the OBJ
servant and experienced violin. Life is
made up of harmonies and discords, |
false notes or true. Hearts, like victims, |
differ in capacity, but the best of them |
need the master touch to interpret the |
music of the master. We hollow instru- |
ments know and feel this. What pity |
it is that many human souls never learn |
so simple truth. Surely the golden |
harps which angel fingers coax to |
of untold sweetness, but elab- |
crate and prolong the songs of earth |
we true interpreters, human or mani |
mate, launch heavenward here below; |
sweet and low with true and |
loving touch what God magnifies later |
into music of the spheres.
L EDGAR JONES'
THE GREAT RIDDLE.