The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-07-27
Abely Prize Song.

Not always, mOtncf you <
rate u little" replied Abel, smiling
brightly as he entered the room,
But | must practice if am to be per-
feet"
You are perfect now, | think" the
old lady answered proudly. You
Il the piano speak
What u thing it is to have Il good
mother to talk well Of you, isn't IT,
George n the speaker, Il slender,
d~ark-haired young man, looked play
fully across the tea-table at his friend.
She only says what is true in you
case, however" replied George. Hui.
10 here's the postman what has he
broughtY
The young musicians eyes flashed
with suppressed excitement as Mary,
the little handmade, brought in u
large otlicial-looking envelope and
handed it to him.
Slowly and carefully the envelope
was opened, and Abel glanced at it for
one moment only-then he said, as if
with u sigh Of relief
1--WE got the prize, mother :"
81 knew my boy must get it," sho
cried, proudly, Il told you how it
would be, Abel, you need not have
worried yourself so much.'
"Ah but the music ought to De bet
ter, mother: | believe | can do better,
too, with harder work." he said, mod
estly.
Abel was u young musician, and,
like manys another, he was poor, and
was gradually working his way Up
ward, with but few friends and less
fortune. He had competed Tor u prize
offered for the best setting OF IL song to
music, and he had won it.
After tea he went back to his loved
piano, and his fingers wandered over
the keys and brought for such glad
and joyful strains that, as his mother
said, the instrument seemed 20 be
telling his pleasure even bettcr than he
could speak it himself"
In u short time he went out with
George-for his friend had u long way
to walk, and now, having got the
prize, Abel felt that he had earned a
little rest from work.
Il wonder how often in days to come
shall take this walk" said George /:
when you are rich and great, | snail
think Of you, and ask myself:
Does my old friend remember me ?
expect you'll forget me-"
Not l." replied Abel. eff wen |
do become rich and great, as you cal.
1T, Heaven preserve me from becoming
SO proud-Ah that's the White Han IT,
isn't it? Let's go in have u pick-me-
up"
Not for me, thank YOU" replied
George.
on you still keep your pledge ?"
"Certainly."
When Abel returned, George noted
how the strong drink had flushed the
delicate refined features, and how diff
ierent was the appearance Of his eyes
with what unnatural brightness they
shone-and impulsively he said, as he
linked his arm in that of his friend,
why don't you give up drinking,
Abel ?"
why should | =" asked his compan-
ion.
Because it's dangerous"
Pooh I'm all right, old man.
Don talk such stuff to me-"
But others, ,hen-think how great
your influence will be by-and-by.
Every body has influence, and the more
distinguished a person becomes, the
greater is his influence. 1t is this
habit OF moderate drinking, that is
everywhere SO rife, that makes the
drunkard. Example is stronger than
precept."
oh, we'll" said Abel, impatiently,
VI cant help what others do. can't
see why | should deny myself a plea
sure because others abuse it. Lam not
my brothers keeper"
n n
The moon was rising behind the old
church spire and Frightening the
dusky summer night rs Abel Meredith,
with q young girl, climbed to the top
Of the hill. There they sat on a rustic
seat, and while the light breeZes of
the summer night murmured among
the trees, Abel told his love, end
learned it was welcomed by his fair
companion.
Sing me your prize song" she
| am so proud Of you" And Abel
softly and sweetly hummcd over his
piece OF music which had gained him
the prize.
y x n n
Seven or eight years afterwards, a
man, dressed in that shabby genteel
manner which tells that the wearer
has seen " better days." was standing
on the pavement Of a poor street in
London. He Was in front of a public
house, and he had taken his stand
there, intending to play his cornet, in
the hope that it might earn u few
pence from the passers-by or listeners
within the house. He placed the cor
net to his lips and played a ~well-known
air.
AoeJ I"ooihS hSoI, y ituCCu dplClY
round at the musician, and saying to
the gentleman who was with her."
must give that poor man something"
began to open her purse.
y" Why? - asked her friend.
NDon't you hear" she cried, she Is
playing poor Abel's prize song"
Clearly the sweet strains rang out
above the roar and rumble of the noisy
street, until the lady coming near 20
the player, the notes trcmbled, and
finally Ceased for u moment, as she gave
him a shall piece OF silver and hurried
away.
In THAI brief moment did she recog-
nize the musician? He did his best to
prevent her from doing so, for he
slouched his Nat over his eyes and
puckered up his face as though blow
ing hard at his cornet. but no sound
came, and in his eyes appeared an ex-
preston OF bitter despair, and cursing
his hard fate he turned into the gin
palace to seek forgetfulness with the
money the lady had given him.
To drink and to forget what he
might have been, and what he had lost
Ibis mother, who loved him and was
80 proud OF him that sweet girl whom
he had hoped to make his wife, but
whom her friends would not allow to
marry him because Of his bad habits
his fame as a musician-to drink and
forgeb all that he had lost because of