The suburban citizen., 1902-09-06
The Little Fiddler.
By Nora Hopper.

mann's shabby figure; but l have
brought forth several marvels in my
time. That reminds me-" with a glance
at the clock, my time is limited at
present-you will pardon me, Mr.. Holf-
mann, am sure"
my business isl came to ask a
favor, Signor Ludovico," Ernest Hoff-
mann said, desperately my little son
is very ILL.,; he has not slept for four
nights, and all his cry is for Godfrlth
Ak"
Indeed"
"Dr Herr says IL 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.. Hofrmann?'
Let GOdfrith Ak come and play to
my boy" Ernest Hoffman, pleaded
That is the only way"
"An impossible way" the impressario
said, harshly. quite impossible. T
will not have my market cheapened
Godfrith AXIS playing has its market
value"
But, my boy"
"What do care for your boy? Here
have / bred up Godfrith and brought
him out, and l will not have him go
playing to every ailing child l tell
you l will not have it. Besides, God
firth is i'll himself, Mr.. Hoffman, (he
slid smoothly into different tone) It
is impossible ~
He must come" Ernest said, duly.
"Ulric has asked for him all day"
He is ill.," the impressario said,
fercely; do you hear? He shall not
60"
My boy is dying, I tell you" En-
nest said as fercely, "and he must
come. 1 will pay you anything"
He shall not"
Il will Gomez Ernest Hoffman,
faced round with smothered cry; the
boys entrance had been so noiseless
and so unexpected The impressario
muttered an oath as he turned also
and met the little fddler's grave, dark
eyes.
You are Ill, Godfrith," he said con-
| trolling his anger with an effort "AIr.
Hoffman, will not persist when he
sees that
The boy did look i'll; even Ernest
H0fmann's shortsighted eyes could see
how hollow the thin cheeks were and
how darkly the shadows lay under the
gray eyes.
Godfrith Ak laughed slightly and
shrugged his shoulders. II am well
enough to play. l am always we'll
enough for that, impresario, Is your
son very i'll. Mr.. HoftmannY
VERY Ill.," said Ernest, sadly. "Win
you come, then?
II will come" Godfrith said, quietly.
Signor Ludoyico caught his arm an
| srily.
Il forbid 1t, Godfrith, do you hear?
forbid it. Mr.. Hoffman,, you persist
in this at your own risk
Il 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
choose"
The impresario's face was purple
with anger us he answered: you can
not go, and you shall not, Godfrlth.
You are III, and you play in the Albert
Hall tonight"
Il will go to play for your SON." God.
firth said quietly, "or else will not
play in the hall at ALL"
But you shall play,r stormed the
impresario, "or will make you suffer
for it, Godfrith Ak l will not be
cheated i"
You cannot make me play. Signor
Ludoyico" Godfrith said, still quietly.
but with a flush on his sallow cheek.
II Will do as please now. Up to this
l have done as you pleased, maestro
mio"
You are an ungrateful little vlperp'
the lmpresario said, hoarsely, "and |
VIII pay you for it, never fear, Godfrith
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 so
loud you will be too hoarse to sing Y
await un roi dc Thessaiie tonight"