Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-05-02

ell MN ne must Colhe-Ac just
must"
"TIl speak to him myself" said the
Major. Go on with your singing
boy"
Another tender love song, and lol a
grewsome miracle. From out of the
very stones, Hitting from behind trees
in the park, dropping from the clouds,
maybe. so silently, so unheralded they
came, were dozen figures. Some
were hatless others wore floating dra-
peries and had painted faces. They
drew together in hideous congeniality.
THE idea calculated the lieuten-
ant where did they rise from?
Well have to go inside"
They gave the man chair against
the wall of the station-house and made
half-circle about him. The young
husband telephoned for his wife to
come over, and she slipped in later be-
side the Major, wearing a little blue
cape about her. All this time the man
was singing singing his own heart
out and the heart from every one else.
"Suwanee River,"-O, terrible pathos
"My Old Kentucky Home"-O, the
sweetness and possession ION the
Banks Of the Wabash" "She Was Bred
in Old Kentucky"-all with the same
intensity and purpose; all in the same
clear, high tenor; all finding the deep
est echo in the hearts Of that strange
group
Is that old man coming?" whis-
pered one of the newspaper men.
We'll see him through ourselves, Ma
jor. We can't see him locked up"
II sent a man round to wake him.
retorted the Major savagely, as If
ashamed to show so much feeling.
He'll come"
On, on, never firing, that brave,
blithe voice. Sometimes the dark eyes
would wander to the door, as if to
question IL help would not soon come.
On, on, over and over, every ones
favorite song. The wife's eyes were
full of unshed tears. Her young hus-
band was as grave as a thoughtful
monk. Some one called for repeti-
tion of a song particularly pleasing
The first verse was sung, the second
half through; then the strange sweet
voice broke in a choking sob, caught
itself, then went on hoarsely. In the
doorway stood a huge figure-that OF
the Jew pawnbroker.
He had risen from his bed and
thrown on some clothing to come to
the station. The song ended and the
Jew came forward, the hero of the mo-
ment. He heard the story, seized the
guitar and examined it with a search
ing eye.
Why. that's his!" he cried scorn-
fully. Il know that box we'll enough"
and he laughed a great guffaw of mer-
riment.
The next moment he swept the cir
Gle with dark glance that was like
the flash OF a scimitar.
"Of course, I'll take him out" he
said CURLY. Where is your bond
clerk?"
The little wife jumped up and ran
over to the yellow man.
I'm so glad your friend came.
thank you so much for your singing.
With that voice-o, you can always
make an honest living!"
The sad eyes filled. He picked up
the guitar and thrummed string or
two lovingly. He looked around with
confidence and began to play softly
as If to himself. Meanwhile the huge
Jew and the bond clerk were having
mysterious interchange of signatures,
and big pocketbook was produced,
While the soft voice went on as an
accompaniment, the pawnbroker picked
out the two dollars. held 1t out to the
crowd and laid it on the bond.
Here's the part that hurts" he said
quietly.
There was shout OF laughter and the
strain of feeling was relieved.
why did you send for me?" pur-
sued the pawnbroker in piti!ess sar-
casm Of men, times and manners.
The red lips trembled, the waltz
ended In crash.
Know my friends" he said brok-
emily.
Now play; play like you were mad"