Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-06-13
NEloDIE.

Felix Wollner STROBE across chelsea
Bridge with his beloved violin and
mind full Of music.
The old man had not much religion,
and when asked about his faith, he
would shake his head with its mass Of
lron-gray hair, and say: Music is my
faith, my religion, and II in Heaven 1t
reigns, 1t is good; but | do not know,
nor do you. 1t must come from some
where, for It soothes sorrow, drives to
despair, and lifts us up to some other
sphere than ours. Therefore 1t is mys'
FERROUS. and what Is mysterious can be
translated in many ways. It's my God,
my ALL"
As he stood on the bridge he thought
Of his wife who had married him away
In Nussloch, a village Of the Father
land, where the birds used to sing at
this very hour, and he, with Freda as a
companion, used to go in the early
evening and sit on seat OF rustic logs
to listen to their song.
It was a proud day when Freda Jour-
neyed in from the village by the earli-
est train in order to hear Felix play.
Her heart was so full Of Joy to see him
there. that 1t was with difficulty she
restrained desire to call out aloud, so
IS to let all hear that the fourth violin
was her lover, and when there was
enough money to buy their daily por.
ton OF black bread and beer they would
be married, time which arrived even
sooner than her most sangulne moments
had suggested.
One winter season the whole band ar
ranged long tour Of the large towns
Of England. London naturally came
first and Felix's heart was glad, for
bis wife could go there, too, and stay
with an aunt, who had been almost a
mother to her in past days. 1t all fitted
| In so beautifully. Alas! the dampness
Of London gave Freda bronchitis 50
badly that the troupe had to depart on
their way without Felix. who refused
10 leave his wife. Now began harder
struggle than ever. Sometimes they
were almost starving, for England Is
not so essentially musical as Germany
and orchestras are not so numerous,
besides, there are many more to NIL va
cant places when they do occur. Ar
additional trouble was their little
weakly daughter, who was always Ill
However. Felix would say: II car
bear It, for she Is so full Of melody
Some day she will be strong enough t.
play by music, and then all the worlt
will wonder at her"
Almost day and night she practice(
10 fulfill this wish. until influenza bort
away the soul of Freda, and only klein'
Freda remained. Then domestic dutie'
Tell SO hard on the little daughter tina
practicing was not so EASY. and at las
almost ceased for her violin had to g.
| to buy food. and Felix could not per
NIT kleine Freda to use his too often
Father and DAUGHTER stood by tn
bedside as the wife's soul was goinl
forth. Felix knelt and taking his wife
hand said
Meme Freda, hush. the angel voice
are around us. II we stav still 1t ma,
, be shall catch a little of thei
melody
All was still, but no sound Of musi
came.
"Freda, If You 60 to Heaven. wher
they say in books and depict in pic
lures, the angels sing. ask them N
your sake-you are leaving us for Their
and for mine. too; that into klein
Freda a little of their melody may b
: instilled. That will make up for ol
losing you. will not then mind 8
much. Only for your safe" he ben
forward, "for the sake of Mimme' d
this. would give nv soul as we'll .
yours for 1t to come to pass" Ther
with a voice that almost broke in II
earnestnpss. 81 must a~d shall, hay
melody in meme kleine Fredal"
Time passed. and one day as he look
ed at the sunset were interrunted nv
; hand being placed in his and a voc
saving.
"NIein water vow look out m III 'h'
and know Won think If rrfter. v
e five years TODAY sircA she died, and II
twenty inctoad cf fifteen"
Eyes. child. Five YEARS today"