The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-03-19
THE HERMIT OF THE
FLATS.


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musician in the old country, who had
been obliged to take work in q factory
to avert starvation, whose death Oc-
CURED shortly after through an explo-
sion OF the factory works; of the subse-
Quent wanderings in strange city.
His only friends had lately been Ell.
gagged to travel with q concert band.
and he was trying to find country.
man who had promised him an inslg.
nificant part with his wandering band
lie was quite alone in the world, with.
out kindred or friends or money. His
only hope WAS to obtain work enough
to pay his return passage to Servia.
Haswell a'heI many questions, but the
lads story never Geviated except to
add some pathetic detail which showed
how much toll and priyation his young
life had known.
II used to take great deal Of pleas
urc in music said uaswell, when the
child had finished his story and drawn
his chair closer to the blazing hearth.
Suppose you play something for me
If you are warm enough to handle your
violin. want to know what you can
do"
Rhuel tucked his old violin under his
chin and tighteEed the slack strings,
then he dried his bow carefully and
began to play. very softly and deli
cately, weird little melody unlike
anything Haswell had ever heard, more
sad, more beautiful, and infinitely
swecter. There was q lack Of tech
nique and defniteness in his touch
which would bar successful hearing
with the coldly critical public, but to
Haswell, whose soul was stirred to its
inmost depths by the spirit of pure
melody, it seemed inexpressiDly lovely.
It brought new pictures to lis mind,
Of unsuspected beauty, of lives shad
owed By want and poverty, toilers in
the dark whom such as he. to whom
much had been given, should minister
comfort and cheer. He seated himself
before his desk and began to write,
without conscious effort or WEAKNESS,
the story that the child's music in
spircd. The 10y played on unceasinG-
ly, glancing Eow and then at the hand
hurrying across the paper, until at
last Haswell lifted his head and smiled.
You are tired, I'm sure" he said in
voice Of singular gentleness. Put
away your violin and so TO bed in my
room, ycnder; I want to finish my
work here beside the fire."
q = =
A week later, when Haswcll took his
story down to Boynton's Office, the lat.
ter glanced it over skeptically, read a
few lines of the last page, then began
ut the start and went through it, word
for word, with eager attention. When
he had finished he looked up at Has
well with queer, unaccustomed smile.
IF you can do thing like that once"
he said, "you can do it again. That's
the sort of stuff we want. I'll give
you $50 for every story Of that kind
you send me-"
Haswell went back to his hermit fiat
in an exultart frame Of mind. He
found his little guest crouching before
the fire with his curly head bowed
over the violin. "Rhuel," he began alb
ruptly, "ycu have given me a great
deal Of pleasure with your music, and
to show you I appreciate the kindness
I have decided to send you home. A
week from to-day you shall have your
passage ticket"
The boy looked up with start, and
his face grew, if possible, paler. He
rose, laid down his violin, and took
step toward his bcnefactor, then
paused and looked at him with glow
ing eyes.
Are you very giad?" Haswell asked,
smiling whimsically.
Eyes, Mister, an Id, too. love my
country-but 1 haf 10 relative"
perhaps you would rather have the
money!" Haswell suggested rather
ccldly.
Rhuel shook his head. Suddenly he
put out one thin hand and touched
HaswelIs shoulder with an appealing
gesture that thrilled the older man
strangely. "NIister, I raider stay wild
YOU" he faltered. IF you let me. I
JUS love to stay"
"Stay with mew Haswell echoed in
adequately. Then he laughed and
caught the thin little hand in his big
warm grasp.
"I really believe we'd hit it off fine,
little lad" he said gayly. 'I'm not
quite suited with this hermit life, upon
my word I'm not. Suppose we try
doubling up for time? When YOU
grow tired, you can say so, you know
"No, Mister" the boy contradicted
eagerly. 81 never grow tired. I love
to stay alwaysr'
"Stay, them" said Haswell.
And he did.-NcT York Times.