The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-09-09
TOM WATSON'S FIDDLE.
NOW TT USED TO COMFORT HIM IN
THEDAYS OF ADVERSELY.
He Often Played at the Country Par
ties and Understanding
Claimed His Attention.

Few people are aware that in his own
county Hon. Thomas E. Watson has
widespread reputation as fiddler. He
has played the violin ever since his old
ost friends can remember. Even when
bo first came to Thomson a penniless
voung man that old, well-loved fiddle
came with him. And when he was
struggling young lawyer he would APP
neal to that old violin, and as he drew
the how across the strings the instru-
ment seemed to speak to him IF home
and old acquaintances and of better
days.
Nor has he forsaken the instrument
since entering the political field. His
children have inherited talent for music
from him. His daughter performs well
on the piano, while his son plays the
bass violin and guitar. And when the
evening shades are falling he loves to
gather with his family in the parlor and
take his lifetime friend from it's case
and play the old familiar airs to the &C
compartment of his children on their in
Sruments.
Mr. Watson is loyed by all the young
people Of Thomson. His ready smile
y makes them feel at home when in his
N house, and he in turn is fond of them.
Even now, during the busiest campaign
of his life, he is ever willing to lay aside
his correspondence and the preparation
of his political speeches in order to &C
company on the voilin the young people
of his city, who love to bring their IN
Struments to his home.
Some fifteen years ago, wien he was
more frivolous than he is now, he used
to play at parties and dances. On such
occasions he was in great demand, and
many a rural beauty has trpped the
light fantastic to the sound of Tom Wat
sons famous fiddle. Imagine if you can
see the popu'ists candidate for the vice
presidency of the United States standing
at the end Of hall in a country home.
saving away at an old fashioned break
Own, keeping time on the l0or with Ills
loot and calling the numbers in stento-
ran voice, while the rustic lads and las
sizes swing around the room, and you
nave Tom Watson as he appeared fife en-
years ago.
In his younger days he was fond of
serenading, and almost any night after
'ne good country folks of Thomson had
F8ured to rest Tom could be seen stand
Ag under the window of some country
Celle playing such tunes as "Then You'll
remember Nc" or Come Into the Gar
'n' Maud" On these midnight sere
poueS generally went alone, but some
HSS he was accompanied by one or two
V"uS men, who would play and sing.
~ nS himself never sang. His talents
Ook another course.
'A0 present campaign Mr.. Watson
uu'0 Will not accompany him on his
III Oh Speechmaking. In letter tn tba
-''oi ne announces that 1.-THE catgut
1''Otn Will hardly do for a national
lP"'gn'' But whether he takes the
~ unenI with him or n ot there is no
lying the fact that the violin has helm.
-H'A0 MN popular in his home and
assisted other men to honor and
@,'n' The story of ex Governor Bob
-. Gun fresh, He fddled his way
'uV suoernatorial chair of Tonnes
Fn t stepped from the strings of his
=" 70 tame and fortune.
a Me- ne Is stumping the country, sup
ees a;n ""'S should favor his audi
eao %''n few selections like 81
wo,,l, D"elt In Marble Halls" Peo-
oho, 1.' 80 wild, and his name wopld
to a~o, from one end of the coun-
Owr 49, while it is not generally
;. 'uaI Mr. Watson is a violinist
Will be no surprise to those who
l. s s,, Cd with him. Born in land
spr,,o,,. harmony, out in the open
h ~ r the beauties of nature I'm.
was as man, it is no wonder that
y 'ue love instilled into his baino
etes+ =" 9h an outlet through that
~ al instruments-the violin.
uS violin is an instruments uh,,h
~ the better part of man IFS low
d bed h9 and high shrill notes, when
7 f. 1 ~ a master hand, will stir onr
d ~ o. .nought and action. Even the
creation of this earth seem en- - ' ne
"a more hv to 80.