The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-09
The LITTLE FIDDLER.
[From Black and white.l

L BLACK dIlO w AAtC.4
sFate's a fiddler"
The little fiddler-such a little fiddler
flung a quick unchiidlike glance around
the packed concert room, drew a long,
unchildlike sigh, and began to play.
First. a gay ripple of music-light and.
keedless and youthful-then a phrase
or so, subdued and soft and piteous as
the moan of doves in immemoriai
elms," followed by the liquid lament of
nightingale. A scurry of soft notes
like summer rain dropped from the
strings into silence, and the end came
with a repetition of the child's laugh
Gypsy, every note of it, an eminent
scientist said to his daughter. as she
leaned back in her stall with tears in
her soft brown eyes. Gypsy music.
my dear Madge, and played. one would
swear, by gypsy, but for his face
And his name, too, is pure Saxon
Anglo Saxon at that
rs it, papa?' his daughter Madge
said, with a swift glance at the little
fiddler. now rendering wild bizarre
movement, half dance, half march. Its
an odd name, too: Godfrith Ak don't
think l like it, and I don't think 1 like
his face either; it's so sallow and plain"
Look at his eyes, my dear"
so Ihave, and I don't want to do
it again, papa; they give me the
creeps.' Madge whispered back But
he's wonderful player"
AYE, he is that; l wonder where he
comes from? I am interested in his
name; pure Anglo-Saxon, Madge; think
of It"
Perhaps he's a ghost or something
of the Sort commented Madge, flip
please. papa it's too Saxon for mex
Godfrey Oak; that is the modern
English of it, my dear; and there is no
verb ANGLO said the professor
dryly. as the violin piece ended and a
little rustic went through the crowded
room. Eyes, that is the last. Come.
Madge. my dear-Why, Hoffman, I
never expected to see you here. And
how is your wife, my dear fellow?"
They were out in the vestibule now
and Madge Dormer, paler than her
wont, offered her hand with smile to
the specialized young German her father
had taken by the arm.
How is Mrs Hoffman? Better. 1
hope. And your boy?"
CLARA is as we'll as she ever will be.
Miss Dormer,' Ernest Hoff n ann said,
not too cordially. She will never walk
again, the doctor says, but she is
stronger and patient-she is always
that, YOU ,-now''
Il do know" Madge said with catch
in her breath. L knew Clara before
you did, Mr. Hoffman,, and I can bear
witness to her sweetness
You did. I beg your pardon, Miss
Dormer.' Ernest Hoffman, flushed a
little.
The professor, mildly uneasy, put in
| a half apologize remark, after the
laundering masculine fashion. 'Madge
is very fond of your wife, Hoffman,;
always was, through ALL"
Il appreciate Miss Dormer's devo-
| tion," Ernest Hoffman said, with a stiff
| bow. Madge held her head erect and
| looked at him with an angry light in
| her eyes.
II appreciate Mr.. Hoffmann's mag
| nanimity.' she said, Jelly. Papa, we
| shall be late if we don't bury. Good
| by, Mr.. Hoffmann: my kind love to
| Clara. o, by the bye, how is Ulric?'
| ''Ulric is ill.,, Ernest Hoffman, said,
| shortly. Mr. Dormer, a moment. Can
| you tell me where Godfrith Ak is stay
| ing?"
'Signor Ludovico is at the Alexandra
| hotel and Ak is with him, of course
| the professor said as he turned away.
hurried by the danger signals flying in
| his daughters face
| How she hates mer' Ernest Hoff-
mann sighed. as he went through the
park in the March wind and sunshine.
| Il suppose she thinks a clerk had no
| right to marry her cousin. All! Clara
does not think so-yet. How that lad
| ,1ox 1,,;o -
And 1 wonder if he will come
The wonder remained when he sat in
the luxurious sitting room at the Alex
andra, facing the impresario, a big,
handsome Italian, with an enormous
| beard.
Yes, his playing is marvel" Signor
Ludovico said, placidly scanning Hoff-
mann's shabby figure; but I have
brought forward several marvels in my
| time. That reminds me- with a glance
at the clock, my time is limited az
| present-you will pardon me, Mr.. Hoff-
mann, am sure"
My business isl came to ask a ia
! vor, Signor Ludovico,' Ernest Hoffman
said, desperately MY little son is very
| i'll; he has not slept for four nights, and
all his cry is for Godfrith Ak
"Indeed.''
'Dr. Herr says if Uric could hear him
play it might cure him."
Il fail to see how it can be managed, u
the impresario said, with a smile. do
| you, Mr.. Hoffman,"
Let Godfrith Ak come and play to
my boy" Ernest Hoffman pleaded
"Taht is the only way"
IAN impossible way the impresario
said, harshly. "Quite impossible. ]
will not have my market cheaDened
Godfrith AXIS playing has its market
value
But, my boy
What do I care for your boy? Here
have 1 bred up Godfrith and brought
him out. and I will not have him &C
playing to every ailing child. tell yot
I will not have it. Besides, Godfrith 1:
ill himself, Mr.. Hoffman, Che sli6
smoothly into a different tone); it is