The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-05-22

II
ToS Zagrab to Ponikla. He
was scantily clothed with his short
coat, his cloak still shorter, and his
summer trousers not quite reaching
his ankles. And then-his shoes were
so much worn out. He pressed his flute
amorously against his heart. He had
a few small glasses OF rum In his stOm-
ach and great deal Of contentment In
his head. For that very morning he
had signed an engagement as organist
with the curate of POnikla.
Until that day he had been roaming
like a TZigane. from inn TO inn, from
one fair to another from wedding 10
wedding. wretchedly getting his daily
bread by playing the flute or the organ.
And, let it be said, by the bye, he
played the organ better than any one
else in the country. Now, at last, he
could settle down and live decently.
A house and n garden, 80 roubles
year, without reckoning the extras, and
above all the consideration attached to
n position In church. to profession
devoted TO the glory Of God! He had
bilious dreams All those who looked
at him as a kind Of tramp should be
compelled now TO treat him as a gen
fleman.
For long time Klen had coveted the
position without any hope of getting II
while old Mielnitzki still persisted I'm
living. The fingers of the latter We're
I'm hn 10
never have consented TO replace him,
I'm consideration of their twenty years
friendship. At last Mielnitzkl died
through an accident ana Klen hast
ened TO apply for the situation. The
curate, well acquainted with his talent
engaged him Immediately. Klen was
really a remarkable artist. He never
had studied music, but he played mar
vellously well not only the flute and the
organ, but also several other instru-
ments. 1t was not case of heredity
nor Of education. His father. n soldier
during most of his life. had turned a
plain ropemaker in his old age and the
good man praoticed no other wind in
strument than his smoking pipe, which.
II Is true, seldom left the corner of his
mouth
Yet Klen, from his childhood. had
shown decided talent Mielnitzki had
given him some organ lessons. But
the urchn one day suddenly departed
with a band of strolling players. He
wandered for several years. Then the
troop dispersed by degrees. one dying,
another disappearing without leaving
any trace. Klen returned to his native
village of Zagrab He was as thin as
church mouse.
So far he had just shifted by playing
for trihe. but often for the love of
God. People wondered at his irregular
and precarious life, but they were
unanimous when praising his talent.
From Zagrab to Ponikla all declared
readily: when Klen begins to play
the Lord is pleased and men are in rap
tures."
That did not prevent them from add
ing with much concern: He must bc
possessed by peculiar and devilish
spirit" The remark was judicious,
for ut times he had the look of sor
cerer, particularly when during these
last years. on some holidays, he re-
placed old Mielnltzki at the organ of
Ponikla. Then he was unconscious of
all that was not his adored instrument
1t happened that in the middle of mass.
when the congregation was the most
deeply engaged in prayers. and when
the priest, enwrapped In the fumes of
incense, gave his benediction. Klens
organ seemed to spread over the whole
an impalpable gauze. and TO raise slow
ly toward heaven the priest. the cen
ser. the vapors Of perfume. the congre-
cation, and even the tinkling of the
bells.
Klen positively did not realize that
he was the one who performed these
marvels. He completely imagined that
the organ played unaided.. that the
sounds sprang by themselves out Of
the leaden pipes, TO scatter first like
rain. then like dew. In order To fill up
the church and make vibrate together
the affairs and the hearts. Sometimes
he was terrified at the thunderbolts
starting from the magic instrument.
and the next moment he enjoyed list
ening to melody falling like the pearls
OF n rosary. When he came down from
his seat after mass he looked haggard.
and tottered as IL inebrated. or rather
as one suddenly awakened. The cur.
ate. putting some money in his hand,
complimented him. The people bowed
respectfully to the vagrant in whom.
at that moment. they felt an eminent
superiority.
Klen did not loiter before the church
in order 10 enjoy praises. II was Ia
contemplate i'm passing what was the
most dear TO him in the world. after
music. of course. We mean Okla. the
daughter OF working man Of Zagrab
He admired her eyes. the color OF the
sky: her hair. the color of gold. and h,
felt at his heart sharp pain like III,
piercing Of knife.
This restored him 10 his full reason
and he repeated TO himself thousan,
times that reyer would Olka's fathe
give his daughter TO n vagrant. an,
that he had better think no more o
the young girl. This was easily said
but the knife had penetrated so deepl.
that the strongest pincers could no
have withdrawn II.
Okla. on her side, nj first had love,
Klen's music. then she had loved th
musician. That penniless fellow. quee
with Withholding eyes. darl; complex