Hutchinson gazette., 1900-06-28
BAKERS sTRAp.


Gfitu Hn lllllhNNHb O'h''bNb'' Wv f'H
Vainly tried 10 induce Danny to buy an
evening piper.
"lieB gon' de wrong way to the
MOrgue," Mike answered
The old man paid not the slightest
attention to their gibes, Probably ne
did not henr them, His mind, when
not on his work. wns far away, pur'
sulng memories Of years long phsI'
Thus ID was now, for there was noll'
ing In currying repaired viola 10
customer TO dlstrNct him from MS
sorrowful retrospections'
He entered one OF the music stores
chat abound In that vicinity OF the Iil'
ion Square, and waited for the ntten'
ton OF the clerk who had sent the pro,
ken instrument to him, \ Number OF
small bills advertising teocherS' pam
lists and concerts were on the counter
Old Dunny glanced half Nbsently az
them. His eyes rested momehtnrlly
on one that announced the nrSt up
pearnnce in America OF "M' l'oulpng'
er. the grent yolnlst Of Paris Tho
performance was TO be on thnt very
evening In Carnegie Hall, but Danny
shook his hend sNdly, as II saying To
the announcement, mo, you can't in-
duoe me TO CO. not II your Boulanger
was the greHtest vlrtuoso who ever
lived"
The repaired viola was taken from
him presently, and laid aside to be
called for by the owner, Danny re,
ceived his pny for the work he had
done and went slowly homewnrd' On
Ahe way he snw many u poster on
which the name "lioulNnger' stood
out in lnrge letters, but he always
shook his head and tried not to sec
the advertisement. He lived buck OF
his dlngy little shop in Fourth street.
When he arrived there he observed Il
cab before the door and nm elegantly
dressed stranger inquiring OF the boy
left in charge when the proprietor
would return.
81 am the propretor sir" said old
Danny, simply "What can | do ior
you?"
"Ah, permit me-" responded tho
stranger, with Il French accent ana
he handed the old man visiting card.
"Monsieur Bouonger!" exclaimed
Danny, in great surprise, when he
glanced 0t 1t.
"Ies,' said the other, my name Is
doubtless familiar to you, ana you
may be aware that | am to play NJ
Carnegie Hall this evening. | have I'M
iured my violin, and there will not
he time to repair II before the concert,
] am told you have an instrument at
most equal to the one brought with
me. will pny you anything YOU like
for the loan Of it for the evening
The old mnn brought several violins
and laid them on the counter.
81 shall be happy to oblige mon
sieur." he suld, "ir he finds anything
here Tint Is worthy of his powers
Boulanger locker them over, hand
led one or two, and then exclaimed,
ABah! Fit for amateurs! You should
not try to impose them on virtuoso.
then he anerforwnrd and whispered:
~'Where Is your StrOdivurlus|
Danny started violently.
"You cannot have the Strnd," he
said; ut belonged to my poor boy, Nc
one shall ever play on 1t again
The Frcnchman was not to be de-
MED.
'Your son would be proud to think
the grentest living yiolnist had bor-
rowcd his instrument he cried; "let
me take It and | will call your sons
spirit from the dead so that he shall
be with you when ! play tonight"
"Ah, II you could do that" sighed
Danny.
II will" Boulanger declared with
conviction. "rell me, Is 1t long since
your son went away from you-Nnd
the Strad?"
"Nlany years lie had just come ia
the point where he was to make his
debut when in fit of passion he rap
away. lie went to Europe and was
murdered in Paris-your own city
Monsieur. His violin has never been
touched since"
The Frenchman put his hand cnress
ingly on his shoulder,
"Let the Strndivnrius speak to you
y message of comfort from him." he
said.
Moved by some subtle influence he
could not withstand. the old man had
mt Inst obeyed this strangers behest
His bent figure disappeared into n bach
room, whence he emerged carrying
ar ebony case with brass clasps ant
handles. Within crowned with nge ant
nse, lay the interpreter Of bygonC
tears and laughter: silent now, bu
only awaiting another human soul tC
call forth it's vibrations, BoulNngel
made al impulsive movement, but The
case closed with snap before hC
could siezc that treasure,
"Not here, Tonight tonight. You
promise--rcmcmb cried Danny
harshly, as he pushed the case towart
the player.
"Monsieur," said the artist, making
n low bow as he withdrew towards thu
door, "there will be great audience
The public have to thank Your gener
osity that they are not to be disap
pointed. VIII you make use OF my
name IL you desire u comfortabl,
seat?" he pointed to the card. "Ah
yes, and IL you ask for me in the
nrtiste's room after the performance
shall have much pleasure in restor
ing your Stradivarius with eternu
acknowledgements of my indebtedness
for the favor you have conferred upor
me-"