Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-02-17
THE MASTER VIOLINIST.

The MASTER NlOLlNlST.
Maurice HartwelI and Bruce Philips
were chums There was no doubt about
this evident fact in the minds of their
other college acquaintance. but neveythc-
less it seemed strange that the quiet
senior should seek the friendship of Mau-
rice, the Jolly rollicksome freshman. pride
OF has class and the slave of Philips.
On this special evening the two fellows
were comfortably installed in the latters
den. Bruce sat in the window seat draw
ing forth uuearhly strains from his
treasured violin. now and then lodging
the pillows thrown at his head by Mau.
rice. Ncuophon'~ Anahasis followed these,
directed by the same Muscular arm just
As Bruce began the Overture 10 the
Poet and Peasant
He skilltully played through to the end.
now quickening his time, now making his
instrument CULVER plaintiveIy like a erea
urc in pain.
Maurice paused in his work of destrlc-
tion and listened spellbound as the ma
lcStie tones vihratcd round the room and
watched the player through half.closed
lids
still hi. companion played on, his fair
head bobbing back and forth and
pleased expression on his clear cut fea
lures, silently like one in trance he
slid onto some favoritc selections from
"Tannhau>cr' and ended the impromptu
concert with a low love song of far away
Poland lu>tnetively Maurice took mp
the ain as the piece was known by him,
and a. the violin ,ohhe,l softly towards
the finale both men lost themselves in The
spirit ot the melody until with one lass
inspired note it ended
Bruce was the first to shake off the
spell which bound them. and fondly ca
ressing his violin he turned his shining
face to his friend. while a tear glistened
on his cheek in the half light - learned
that from au old professor of music in
Vienna several years ago" said he "a
Maurice looked que~tiopngly at him, 1t
vas ~uitiy afternoon IN July contim-
upd he, and / was feeling angry with
myself and the world in general when
saw large touring ear driven by little
wizencd up man coming across the square
immediately | recognized him as Prot.
, the director ut the opera house
Il forgot my whereabouts aud stood
gaping in awe at him rs ne came nearer
and completely failed 10 hear the wheels
.of an approaching carriage until il was
too late and fell in an unconscious state
ON the pavement
The next few DAYS were blank TO me.
but when | finally did awake the first
sounds to greet my ear were the strains
of this very song Raising myself with
an effort could see into the adjoining
room whore the little professor stood
playing beside the open window, so sweet
and low that it almost luled me 10 sleep
once more.
But as looked a young girl OF barely
seventeen summers ran up to him and
pattcd his cheeks. at the same time say
ing: You would transform the earth into
Paradise with that magical fiddle hut
remember our sick guest is still asleep.
AT her words the old man ran across
the salon 10 the door al my room. where
welcomed him with a. much OF q smile
as | could summon ON the spur of the
moment after catching a glimpse of the
iaire~t maiden in Gll the city.
And IN Just skip over the wearisome
days that followed when | was thought
IA be in great danger. and pardon me If
also omit the plca-anter days of my
convalcsccucc. when with the professor
niece played md sang a. often Il, my
strength would allow.
But sufficient il j. that / recovered.
thanks To her cilcicnt nursing and the
| kindly professor, music, and those hal
| cvon day, were soon only memory
| Il came back ia time for nay ,tuiie~
/ here ut Columbus ln my freshman year.
/ and the following two Years were orrst-
s;,uail, kritrht rus1 nv ,hpsrN. lot tors trf.4rf