The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-16
THE PRIZE IN MUSIC.

There were three weeks yet before com
mencement, and in that time much could
be done by hard practice, but what would
that avail, when Leon March would be sure
to practice harder? Leon might not get
the prize. There were three other competi-
tors besides Anthony himself, but the
chances were all in Icons favor.
Anthony began again the oft repeated
process of looking over his music, not yet
decided as to which among his solos he
should play at the great concert While
again balancing in his mind the merits of
two compositions, between which his deci-
sion wavered, there was a knock at the
door, and IN answer to his shouted invita-
ton to come in Roy Willett opened the
door and poked his head in before entering.
Perhaps 1 can stand it if you're only
looking at the music and not playing he
said as he pushed the door wider and came
in Anthony tossed the music over on the
table with just a show of vexatiOn in his
manner t'I'm tired enough of it to be
glad you've come. what's the use in try
ing for that miserable prize, when we all
know that Leon will get it? I don't call
it a fair show for the rest Of US. We have
something else to do and can't be practic-
ing all the time, as he is "
"You haven't heard about his VIOLIN
have youP''
''No-unless you mean that old story
about his singing it to Sleep
Roy laughed, not at the story, but at the
startled questioning on Anthony's face.
Il ann afraid that he will cry it to sleep
tonight, and himself too. This afternoon
he broke holS in the back of it, and you
can hardly call it a violin any longer. He
wants to give up entering the contest, but
Mandel won't hear of it. The rest of US
have good violins, and it will be our fault
If some one of US does not get the prize. -
after all, that's hardly fair, - said An
Ehony, a sudden sympathy for his rival
springing to life in his heart
cit simply gives US an even chance with
him, - said Roy. "The disadvantages have
all been ours so far, but now he's getting
his share. That's all there is to it. -
That night Anthony could not escape the
remembrance that he had another violin
which he was not using stored away in
the little closet adjoining his sleeping
room. There was no reason at all why he
should not let Leon have it until after the
concert, save that by so doing he would be
increasing his rivals chance for the prize.
Leon could not afford to get new violin.
He knew that we'll enough and of what
use would the Old one be with a hole
punched in it's back? OF course Leon de-
served the prize, just as Roy of right had
the honor of being captain of the ball club
Still, it was none of his affair if he broke
his violin. 1t was not a thing for which
he should make Feparation, and why should
he trouble himself about one who had al
ways repulsed his kindnesses, or at least
had never invited them? He would be quite
sure Of the prize himself if-but Anthony
could not bring himself to think of his be-
ing a party to Icons failure. The old
violin in his closet seemed to send out a
lament because the music in its heart had
been so long Unvoiced. He could fancy
that the spirits Of those who in long gone
days had played in its moving tones the
joys and sorrows of vanished time. And
then-but Anthony would not think about
it any more. He turned his thoughts reso-
lutely to his next days Virgil reading, a
topic stimulating his fancy so slightly that
he soon forgot it all in sleep.
It was three days latepfwhen Anthony
went into Professor Mande4's room before
the latter had finished the lesson he was
giving Leon. Both teacher and pupil were
aggravated by the dull tones of the cracked
violin, and at last Mandel handed Leon his
own instrument, upon which no pupil had
ever before been permitted to play. An
thony sat down and listened for the re-
mainder of the lesson hour. At first his
heart sank within him. He could not so
much as dream of being able to play like
that. Then gradually the music came over
him with all its power. He wondered how
so slight form, 50 thin and ethereaHzed
a face, should have for it's soul so much of
strength and mastery. Directly he forgot
to think about this, and by the time Leon
had finished he knew what he should do.
The shy boy hardly understood him when
he told him that he had an old violin of
good quality, to the use of which he was
welcome for the rest of the term; but An
thony himself played better that afternoon
than he had for weeks
Anthony did not enter the contest for
the prize. His father would be disap-
pointed, he knew, but he had not the heart
to bring his fUmbling with the bow into
comparison with Icons mastery of his in
strument. Roy laughed at him and even
upbraided him little for lending his VIC
lin, but ROys laughter and upbraiding
were alike harmless.
But after the concert, when the prize
had been awarded, Icons mother came to
him without introduction.
Il do not know how to thank you," she
said, and her voice was not SO steady it
might have been. ''LeOn giving him the
violin was more to him than the prize. -
Afterward, when they had gone to his
room together, Anthony told his father
why he had not played and with whose
instrument it was that Leon had won HIS
father seemed to be thinking of other
things, only Rodding his head slowly to
show that he was listening. Then at the
conclusion he spoke As from a distance,
his eyes looking into time Of which An
thony knew not.
Your uncle used to play that same
fantasia on the old violin years ago, when
we were hoys together. 1 can see him drop
ping his head over the strings now. He
used to hnger over that adagio until it
seemed the melting tones were melting
voices calling, and even the andante's
pain of human longing barely seemed to
bring him back to earth. 1t is no wonder
that your friend played well tonight"
Anthony vas n5t thinking now of the
possibility of having to meet his fathers
Worthington Smith IN