Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-05


Yes: go on" chorused the listeners.
Well. | had met him by the merest
chance. | was struck at once by his
dreamy, remote air. l learned that he
was a musician, a violinist who had
studied under excellent masters, had
come TO Chicago to get some compost
tions published. had failed and was
! stranded here without a cent of money.
OF course, he didn't blurt this all out
as ] am doing"
Exactly" said the others.
We'll. ! went home and couldn't get
that poor man out Of my head. He had
given me his address. so sent for
him to lunch with me and discuss mat
tiers of business. He came and played
for me-divineIy, l knew he was in
deed an artist the moment he drew his
| bow across the strings of that violin.
But YOU have heard him yourselves.
Then | catechized him. The upshot OF
the matter was that l persuaded him,
after numerous interviews, long argu-
ments. an incalculable expenditure Of
diplomacy and patience not native TO
my soul. 10 let me introduce him TO
some of the vaudeville managers in
town"
Base woman, Corrupter OF genius"
were the protests.
Well. you may imagine the trouble
| had to get even hearing for those
unfortunate vaudeville managers with
my artist of the temperament. He
doubted If he would not be debasing
his calling to so much as consider the
project. And all the time there he
was. starving"
THAT, by the way, was why you got
ND that subscription, wasn't it. Mrs.
Bond?" interrupted young man at
her right.
Yes" admitted she. Il simply
couldn't see him perish with that
gen.as of his And | knew he must get
hungry between my lunches and teas.
He didn't mind the subscription at ALL
How did he come out with the au-
tocrats of the drama?' inquired her
host.
Beautifully. They listened hopeful
, Nv. Oh. such trouble as | had getting
those appointments. But you know Ii
takes time to arrange these little mat
tiers: In the midst of the negotiations,
lust when everything looked rosiest,
my friend of the temperament disap-
peared. Simply dropped out of sight,
leaving no word OF explanation for
me-"
What had happened?"
In ten days he returned-with
wife. II you will believe me. that in
sane youth had gone and married
little country girl. as inexperienced
and helpless and altogether impossible
as himself-on his prospects,
Then | had them both on my hands.
/ couldn't let them die in the street.
And there was something awfully ap-
peaI;ng about Arthur Loringston. His
wife was sweet little thing. too.
though I had hard work to forgive her
for running his career by marrying him
Just at that time.
so I set valiantly to work once
more. Arthur had decided that he
must study in Paris. He really seemed
to have an idea abou; it. agreed with
him meekiy that vaudeville was but
poor excuse for art and hardly worth
a mans best efforts. Then after weeks
of scheming and planning and wire
pulling was ready for my coup d'etat.
What those weeks cost me in broken
ENGAGEMENTS. WEAKNESS Of the flesh
and self-sacriice no one knows"
Poor Mrs. Bond" murmured lis
teaer
FINALLY the day arrived which was
TO make my artistic friends fortune.
70 assure him Of his chance TO study in
comfort and dignity. Six Of the most
important people Of musical sym
pathies in the city had consented to
give an hour Of their time to meet and
hear him play. I knew the victory was
already won.
We'll. NC met, and we waited. 7
knew they were fdgsting and. a. for
me | was shaking with fright. Forty
minutes xe waited in a dreary pre-
tense Of sociabilitS. and finally We
parted. Arthur Jorsagston had broken
that appointment, was sick with
modification. but ] was also alarmed
My poor friend. thought What
terrible accident has prevented his
comingTs
The next day I met him on the
street. He came up TO me cooily. smil-
Ing. appealing as ever. cheerful. yet
with bis little air Of dresmincSs.
Dear Mrs. Bond. he said. I was
sorry to disappoint you yesterday. but
q was unavoidable. Ny wife bad 2
little attack OF home.sickness. 80 nstur
ally was compelled 70 deny myself
the pleasure Of meeting your friends,
And that said Mrs. Bond. "a why
I have renowned the artistic iempcfs-
ueut and all ne works"