St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-12-10

OF wonders, the woman walking by his
side was the real Elsa-the one had
nlourned as dead. In fash I guessed
the truth. This other Elsa, with the
dancing eyes, was she for whom
crooned the lullabys long ago in the
little home, and for whose sake
had been a willing sacrifice; I had no
need to hear her call the other Elsa
Carts Elsa-mother
Father" she said, pointing at me,
Il want you to look at this old violin.
It must be like the one you used to
have, that mother says you sold to save
her fe-the Stradivarius you could
never find again. Do you see the plate
on this cabinet-'Antonus Stradivarius,
1892 g. #@
Can you imagine my feelings, with
Carl-my very own, unforgotten Carl
looking straight at me? Would he
know me, after all these years? Vain.
ly I tried to swing little, that the
might see the scar en- my back that
come there the night of the accident,
but could not move.
Suddenly saw his dear eyes flash
with the tender, loving look I remem.
! bered so well, and his face went white.
"Elsa!' he cried. "Mein Colt! II
is the little sweetheart, at last"
Well, there was a commotion then,
you can well believe. Carl rushed of
like wild man to find the superin-
tendent of the, museum, and the two
Elsas cried in each others arms.
The boy? Well. he got rather excit-
ed, and walking up to me, said, very
grand and earnest, Say, old fellow,
do you know what's happened
You're found, and you're coming out
of that case in double-Quick time. Herr
Schillings, who is director of the con-
servatcry (his arm is just as we'll as
it ever was, thanks to the money you
brought him) is going to have you
back and play on you again. Does all
that interest you and disturb your
dreams, old Antonius Stradivarius,
1892
Matters turned out very wonderful
ly. Carl soon found the superintend-
ent, and dragged him in front of my
case, telling him my story. He was
very much interested, and telephoned
at once for certain Herr Ludwig
Walberg, whom it appeared was now
me from Carl being Herr Walberg's
brother, and dead for many years.
had been left in the museum because
my present owner, not wishing to sell
me, had not known what else to do.
He came after time, and Carl offered
him SO much money for me that if
told you the amount you would have
hard work believing me truthful; but
Herr Walberg refused every offer. He
sympathized with Carl's desire to re-
gain possession of me, yet out of re-
spect for his brothers wish that /
should remain always in the museum
where ] had been placed he said he
could not think of selling me at any
price.
AZ He was obstinate, l was in despair,
eAAA o&1AA . ASASO "Clo 11hO ACAAs \ AA0A1y
Carl asked-so longingly-to be al
lowed to play on me once more. l
could have jumped for JOY when I
heard old Ludwig say yes. If he had
a heart, this funny, wizened little old
man-and his love for his brothers
memory looked like tiff he had ever
loved and suffered and lost, promised
myself that my cause and Carts was
Won.
Softly began to talk to him. l told
him in my own way land such a way
it was, for the children of the master
violin-maker are well nigh. divine when
they sing with their hearts) of my
love for Carl and his for me; of the
old days; of Elsa and the little home
and the bitter sorrow that parted us,
of the joy that might yet be.
s. Carl nestled his chin closer and closer
to me as sang, right on the spot where
his parting tears had fallen that awful
day long ago, and my voice reached
out and grasped the heart-strings OF
Herr Walberg, working my will with
them, until the quiet room rang with
harmony. @ H
With tears running down his wrink.,
led cheeks, the old man grasped Carl's
arm. stop, Herr Schilling!" he cried,
'.Stop, for the love Of heaven.
| cannot bear it any more. It Is all
the sorrows Of the world. It is my
brothers voice that shall never hear
again. Take the violin. I give it to
you freely and without price-my
brother would use it So You are a
genius, Herr schilling;; and the strad
-ach! it has living soul"
Tucked under Carts arm, in the same
shabby old box in the familiar way
I loved, left the museum, tired and
shaken, but happy, oh, SO happy!
Dreaming Of the times to come, when
l should hear again the rush and
swing Of the great chorus, the rythm
Of the mighty orchestra, and feel the
hush just before I lifted up
my matchless voice alone in the ST.
lence of the breathless people, and then
the crash Of the thunderous hand
clapping. But above all, should be |
with Carl-Farm and Fireside.
Town Lost ut Cards.
In 1903 King GustaEus w. of Sweden |
lost at cards to the duke of Mecklen-