Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-05-27

lOruS SbdI J6u OUT lOr uOm6uL, anu
then faded away like phantoms in a
cleaning mist, only to reappear again
in different shape. A noise like the
shouting of an angry mob sounded in
his ears, and he reeled and took a
step backward, raising his hand to his
forehead lnvoluntarily. At last he
caught the eye of the conductor, who
nodded encouragement, and he raised
his violin mechanically and made
ready to play.
The smoothly flowing accompani-
ment began. but Hartzel stood at first
motionless his heart held in the grasp
of a deathlike fear. He could recall
no note of the air which he knew so
well. His memory confused by fright,
was at a standstlll and would not re-
spono to his desperate entreaty. Like
one in trance, he saw the conductor
give the signal which was fatal to him
and his hopes. The accompaniment
stopped abruptly, and he felt the won
dering hush which came over the
great audience.
In his disappointment and hopeless.
ness he could have cried aloud. This
was the moment for which he had
waited 80 many cruel long years. This
was his triumph! The tears crept
down his withered cheeks and his lips
moved tremulous2y. He made no at
tempt to leave the stage, but stood
with bowed hsad, while the hopes
and dreams of his wasted life passed
in review before him and crumbled
away in the light of the consciousness
that he had been found wanting.
But all this while, unoeknown to
h,mself, te hal been drawing the bow
across the strings instlnctively, un-
heedingly, in unwilling disregard OF
his surroundings. The accustomed,
caressing touch of the violin seemed
10 answer his vague longing for ex-
preston.
After awhile he noticed dimly that
the members OF the orchestra were
bending toward him with curious in
tentness, and that there was br ,ath.
less stiffness throughout the house.
He did not know or care what was
the reason, for he was lost in tn, di:-
tant land of memory, draping the
brightness of every recollection with
the black Of present hopelessness;
marking the vainness of every hore
and the futility Of every sacrifice. The
thoughts which were flashing through
his mind found an added bitterness in
the consciousness that all might have
been so different if his courage had
not failed him, If he could have shown
to the world what he knew to be his
real power. Was there yet time? If
he could only have another trial--one
little opportunity-perhaps he could
redeem this mistake. He was sure
that he could. Was it too late? Might
not
He came to himself with a start
and looked about him appealingly,
mutely asking forgiveness and sym
pathy from some unknown source.
then half stumbling turned to leave
the stage.
A murmur followed him fast grow
ing into roar. The house seemed
to tremble the rock again and again
in hurricane OF cheering. He heard
his name called by many voices and
faced about in utter bewilderment, his
veins tingling strangely. He saw a
wildly tossing sea of faces. The au-
dience had risen to its feet and was
crying out to him-to him! The or
chestra, too, was applauding madly,
forgetful of discipline, and the con-
ductor was smiling at him with shin
ling eyes. What did it all mean? For
a moment he stood dazed and uncom-
pretending, then suddenly he knew
the truth. Unconsciously he had
been playing the thoughts which were
in his mind, and the sobbing, vibrat-
ing notes of the violin had told his
story to every human heart in the
vast theater. er.-Leland IngersoU IN Look
er On.
Wine tasters eat small piece Of