The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-11-26

ity of tone which the little old man
evoked, and when some one must be
found to take the solo part in the great
orcbestration Hartzell was chosen.
We'll give you chance the ia.
nous musician had said. Remember
your time and don't hurry, and / am
sure you will get through all right, "
and Hartzell had dumbly bowed his
thanks and gone home in a condition Of
dreamy exaltation to tell the glad news
over and over again to the only friend
whose sympathy be cared for.
The distant peal of the tower clock
reused him at last, and he FASTENED
through his simple toilet and went out
into the cold. drizzling rain of the au-
tumn night. The streets were crowded
with people on their way to the various
places Of amusement. and he was jcstled
this way and that like frail skiff
among larger craft, but he noticed moth
ing, for in the glory Of hope he was as
one marching in the procession of his
own triumph.
In the dim orchestra room under the
tage Hartzell received his final instruc-
tons from the leader, and then, mount
ing the dusty stairway, found quiet
corner in the wings and sat down to
wait his turn, hugging the violin to his
breast.
From the auditorium came the faint
burr Of many voices, mingled with a
subdued rustling as the late arrivals
settled themselves in comfortable an
ticipation. Suddenly there was hush,
and the melody of the grand overture
burst forth in all its swinging, swaying
rhythm. Hartzell listened intently. He
had never before been upon the stage
during performance, and the music
sounded strangely in his ears. He start.
ed apprehensively at the rattle of ap-
plause which followed hard upon the
closing strains Of the overture, and a
wave of nervousness swept over him as
he realized that he must face so many
people. He was conscious of wish that
his trial came later in the programme
instead of being the third number.
The prima donna stepped forth from
one Of the brightly lighted dressing
rooms and nodded smilingly to Hartzell
as she passed. He envied her the conf
dence which she showed so plainly. A
few moments later her glorious voice
rang out as steady and clear as the
Ginning Of bell, but to him it was
only as the running of the sand in an
hour glass, for when it ceased he must
take his stand on the brilliantly illu-
minated stage, before the gaze of !, 1000
eyes. His heart began to beat wildly
against his breast, and he found himself
tremblingly shrinking from the moment
to which he had looked forward 80 con-
tidently Vague thoughts of possible
fight flashed through his brain, but he
realized that it was too late, and vainly
tried to steady his nerves for the ordeal
Again and again the applause rose
and fell as the last notes of the wonder
full contralto died away, and the solo
list had to bow her acknowledgment re-
peatedly; then there came a pause,
which to Hartzell seemed to last for
hours At length tho orchestra played
the introduction to his number. and he
started to his feet convulsivelv and ster.
ped out into the glare of the footlipbts.
The audience saw an undersized. gray
haired man, whose clean sd ven face
was almost childish in expression as he
stood there, nervously waiting Hart
zell saw shimmering, changing blur.
from which half indistinguishable
forms started out for a moment and
then faded away like phantoms in a
cleaning mist only to reappear again
IN different shape A noise like fine
shouting OF an angry mob sounded in
his ears, and he reeled and took a ster
backward, raising his hand to his fore.
head involuntarily. At last he caught
the eye Of the conductor, who nodded
encouragement, and he raised his violin
mechanically and made ready to plav
The smoothly flowing accompanimept
began, but Hartzell stood at first mo-
tlonless, his heart held in the CRASH Of
deathlike fear. He could recall M
note Of the air which he knew So we'll
His memory, confused by fright. was al
a standstill and would not respond "a
his desperate entreaty. Like one in a
trance. he saw the conductor give the
signal which was fatal to him and hi.
hCToS. The ncco-.- r..,ir,o,,t s,,..,-, :,