The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-11-28

farewell"
''H'm Play again for me-"
Gladly Reuben lifted his violin and
drew the bow across it.
81 will play you the Carnival of
the Birds" he said.
And there rose upon the air such
twittering chorus, here saucy trill,
there busy chirp, then roulade,
till the very air seemed alive with
songsters, while under all a sweet
melody throbbed and melted into soft
est strains.
"This is the Brooks Hymn, +"
Reuben said and the ripping stream
was mocked and echoed in faint, fan
tastic music.
"Who wrote these?" the stranger
asked.
"They were never written. They
came from the heart" was the quiet
reply. ''I will play you some writ
ten music"
Again the violin obeyed the bow,
as the works Reuben had studied
from his fathers music rose upon the
Summer air.
"And you were about to break
your violin?" the strager said.
eyes for I never can be farmer
while my brain is full of music" was
the sad reply.
"Ah You want to be farmer,
then? Would you not rather be
musician ~
Reuben's eyes glistened. Long he
and the stranger talked, and the sun
was setting when he turned his face
homeward.
"Uncle Josiah" he said, when all
the chores were done and the farmer
rested on the moon1it porch, eff in a
year can bring you proof that can
support Daisy, will you give her
to me?"
II WILL" was the hearty reply.
"Have you broken your fiddle, Ret
ben ?"
mo, and I am going to leave you
tomorrow. I have been offered work
in the city"
"Work in the city? Well, lad, it
may be you are too peaked for farm
work and you will find it easier there.
But remember, if. you fail, there's al
ways home for you here, Reuben"
Reuben grasped the hand stretched
out to him in his long, slender fingers
and his sobbing "God bless you, sir
you are very good to me-" came from
his very heart.
Not even to Daisy did he tell his
new hopes, but bade her be faithful
and whether he succeeded or failed
he would returned at the end of the
year.
When he took his place id the stage
coach for the railway station, his new
friend, met in the fairy ring, was by
his side.
Little Daisy kept her heart true.
Every market day when the farmer
came from town with his great wagon
empty, he took from his pocket let
ter from Reuben for Daisy, and every
one was hopeful. His work was
pleasant and was paying him we'll.
Some of the letters were dated New
York, some Boston, some Philadel-
phia; and when Winter came Reuben
wrote from all the great cities, even
New Orleans, and Daisy's heart throb-
bed high with loving delight to feel
snre his love was true amid the gay
scenes he described, the new friends
he met.
Winter sped away, Spring blossoms
bloomed and fell and the end of the
year was drawing near. A letter
came to Uncle Josiah:
"Will you bring Daisy to New
York." Reuben wrote, "and judge
for yourself of my prospects?"
And Uncle Josiah, after long con-
sultation with Aunt Polly, concluded
to go. Daisy had new dress of soft
white muslin made, and bought a
dainty straw hat in the village. Then
Uncle Josiah wrote to Reuben by what
train to expect him and the journey
commenced.
Reuben was not at the depot but in
his place was courteous gentleman
who explained to Uncle Josiah that
his nephew was detained by business,
took the travellers to hotel where
they had supper. Then telling them
he would take them to Reuben, he
put them into a carriage and drove
rapidly to white building, whose
wide hall was brilliantly illuminated.
Here well-dressed men and ladies in
full evening toilets were entering in
crowds. Reuben's friend led Uncle
Josiah and Daisy to seat in the bril-
liant hall near the platform, and told
them Reuben would come soon.
In Daisy's hand he put programme
and she wonderingly read of the mu
sical treat in store for her, only vague
ly comprehending it all. On every
side the buzz of conversation bore the
name of the great l., the famous
violinist, whose Cremona seemed gift
ed with speech under the touch of his
inspired fingers.
It was like a dream. A white
robed lady came up on the platform
and sang, q gentleman played solo
! upon the piano. Then there was a