Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-06
The Little Fiddler.
By Nora Hopper.

mann's shabby figure; "but 1 have
brought forth several marvels in my
time. That reminds me-" with glance
at the clock, my time is limited at
present-you will pardon me, Mr.. Hoff-
mann, 1 am sure"
my business isl came to ask a
favor, Signor Ludovico," Ernest Hoff-
mann said, desperately. "My little son
is very i'll; he has not slept for four
nights, and all his cry isefor Godfrlth
Ak"
"Indeedr'
'Dr. Herr says if Uric could hear
him play it might cure him."
II fail to see how it can be managed"
the impressario said, with a smile. do
you, Mr.. Hoffmann?"
Let Godfrith Ak come and play to
my boy" Ernest Hoffman, pleaded.
'That is the only way"
IAN impossible way" the impressario
said, harshly. quite impossible.
will not have my market cheapened.
Godfrith AXIS playing has its market
value"
But, my boy"
What do care for your boy? Here
have 1 bred up Godfrith and brought
him out, and 1 will not have him go
playing to every ailing child. l tell
you l will not have it. Besides, God
firth is ill himself, Mr.. Hoffman, Che
slid smoothly into a different tone; it
is impossible"
He must come" Ernest said, DULY.
"Ulric has asked for him all day."
HE is ill.," the impressario said,
fiercely; do you hear? He shall not
CO."
MY boy is dying, tell you," En-
nest said as fiercely, "and he must
come. I will pay you anything"
He shall not
Il will come" Ernest Hoffman,
faced round with n smothered cry the
and so unexpected. The impressario
muttered an oath as he turned also
and met the little fiddlers grave, dark
eyes.
You are i'll, Godfrith," he said, con-
trolling his anger with an effort. Mr.
Hoffman, will not persist when he
sees that"
The boy did look ill; even Ernest
| Hoffmann's shortsighted eyes could see
| how hollow the thin cheeks were and
how darkly the shadows lay under the
gray eyes.
Godfrth Ak laughed slightly and
shrugged his shoulders. Il am well
enough to play. am always well
enough for that, impresario. Is your
son very i'll, Mr.. Hoffmann?"
Every ill.," said Ernest, sadly. "Will
you come, them"
Il will come" Godfrith said, quietly.
Signor Ludovico caught his arm an
grily.
Il forbid 1t, Godfrith, do you hear? 1
forbid it. Mr.. Hoffman,, you persist
in this at your own risk"
II choose to play" Godfrith Ak said,
looking at him with perfect coolness.
Maestro mio, you can do a good many
things, but you cannot either make ME
play or stop me from playing when 1
choose"
The impresario's face was purple
with anger rs he answered.: "You can
not go, and you shall not, Godfrith.
You are i'll, and you play in the Albert
Hall tonight"
Il will so to play for your son." God.
firth said quietly, "or else l will not
play in the hall at ALL"
But you shall play" stormed the
impresario, "or | will make you suffer
for it, Godfrith Ak. l will not be
cheated! /"
You cannot make me play, Slgnol
Ludovico" Godfrith said, still quietly
but with a flush on his sallow cheek
Il will do as l please now. Up to this
| have done as you pleased, maestro
mio."
You are an ungrateful little viperv
the impresario said, hoarsely, "and ]
Will pay you for it, never fear, Godfritl
AK! And as for you, sir"
Take care how you bully Mr. Hoff
mann, maestro" Godfrith Ak said
composedly There are policemen
) outside:'
''If there were not"
IF there were not you would tie me
into chair and starve me into submis
sion, as you did when We were in st
Petersburg. Maestro, if you speak sc
loud you will be too hoarse to sing y
await un roi dc Thessalie tonight"