The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-09-21
The Little Fiddler.
By Nora Hopper.

mann's shabby figure; but / have
brought forth several marvels in my
time. That reminds me-" with a glance
at the clock, my time is limited at
present-you viii pardon me- Mr.. Hoff-
mann. l 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 Godfrith
Ak"
"Indeedp
CDR. Herr says If Uric could hear
him play it might cure him"
Il fail to see how it can he managed, .
the impressario said. with a smile. do
you, Nj. HoffmannY
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. I
win not have my market cheapened.
Godfrlth AXIS playing has its market
value"
"But. my boy"
"What do care for your boy? Here
have l bred up Godfrith and brought
him out, and l will not have him go
playing to every ailing child. l tell
you will not have 1t. Besides, God
firth is i'll himself, Mr.. Hoffman, The
slid smoothly into a different tone); 1t
is impossible"
'IIe must come" Ernest said, duly
Uric has asked for him all day"
"He is ill., the impressario said,
Gerecly; do you hear? He shah not
GO
My boy is dying. I tell you" Err
nest said MS tiercely, 'and he must
come. win pay you anything"
"He shall not"
81 will come" Ernest Hoffman,
faced round with a smothered cry; the
boys entrance had been so noiseless
and so unexpected. The impressario
muttered an oath as he turned also
ana met the little nddler's grave, dark
eyes.
You are i'll, Godfrith." he said, con
trolling his anger with an effort. "Afr.
Hoffman, will not persist when he
sees that"
The boy did look i'll; even Ernest
Hoffmann's shortsighted eyes could see
how hollow the thin checks were and
how darkly the shadows lay under the
gray eyes.
Godfrith Ak laughed Slightly and
shrugged his shoulders Il am we'll
enough to play. l am always well
enough for that, impresario. Is your
son very i'll. Mr. Hoffmann?
VERY ILL.," said Ernest, sadly. "Win
you come, them"
Il win come" Godfrith said, quietly.
Signor Ludoyico caught his arm an
grily.
Il forbid 1t. Godfrith, do you hear? l
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 MIC, you can do a good many
things, but you cannot either make ME
play or stop me from playing when l
choose"
The imffesario's face was purple
with anger as he answered: "You can
not so, and you shall not. Godfrith
You are i'll, and you play in the Albert
Hall tonight"
II will so 10 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
impressrio, "or l viii make you suffer
for it, Godfrith Ak. l will not be
| cheated! l."
You cannot make me play, Signol
LudoYico. Godfrith said, still quietly
but with flush on his sallow cheek
Il will do as please now. Up to this
l have done as you pleased, maestro
milo"
You are an ungrateful little viper.
the impresario said, hosrsely, land ]
will pay you for it, never fear, Godfritl
| Ak And as for you, sir"
Take care how you bully Mr.. Hon
mann, maestro" Godfrith Ak said
composedly. There are policemen
outside"
/ IF there were not
III there were not you would tie me
( into chair and Starve me into submjs
sion. as you did when we We're in st
Petersburg. Maestro, if you speak 81
loud yon will be too hoarse to sing y
await TN roi de Thessalie' tonight"