The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-02-19


word into speaking of her affairs to a stranger
And live nowhere he told her. as if owing her
confidence in return But l have been an orphan
too these many years. The sky is my mother and the
earth my father and the road is my pal and fellow
traveller 1t goes with step by STEP opening out
its heart 60 always new strange and allurng
1t waits for at the gate, as you and must
go on. Thank you for supper that meant for
king and not for a poor tramp"
Shirley followed him out the porch won't you
play for me just once more before you go? she en-
treated 1t has been long since heard any really
good music In Washington used to go to
certs and the opera whenever it came there but
never hear anything better than the Frolic of the
Frogs or 'Silvcry Waves of the village music
teacher"
The tramp smiled and again laid his fiddle under his
chm lie played in the twilight now, for dusk had
nearly fallen The red still, but single great
burned there Seeing he played the evening
song o, thou sublime, evening starl' the
music ycarned; and there seemed, as he played,
bridge between earthly thoughts and those strange emo
tons born of God,
Shirley shut the gate with little click behind him
he finally went out. but he fingered yet moment
outside, if loath TO leave the little garden -
Goodnight he said reluctantly.
q And you" the girl exclaimed bluntly, "you who
play these beautiful things-and understand them-you
are ordinary tramp! I believe ii"
The flushed deeply and then laughed Then he
said, Don't think ME just an ordinary tramp, but an
extraordinary one who likes Verdi and Wagner. and
bread ard butter plenty, but who of all likes
and needs the freedom of Gods out-of-doors" He
lifted his hat but she held HIM back
But it isn't always sunrise or sunset" she said,
It's dark creepy night and there afc fearful storms,
Where do you find shelter such times
The man. If prompted by a sudden impulse Lifted
his violin out of its box again Listen. and III tell
YOU" he said He played more, and this time he
sang too, in deep. rich barytonc: >
By road and river. countryside and town,
wander daily with my fiddle brown
Creeping under barns so gladly,
When outside the tempest howls,
Playing sadly, playing mady
Waking up the and owls.
Ah it is gay. night and DAY
Fair and cloudy weather;
Fiddle ard / wandering by
Over the world together
Down by tho willow summer nights lie,
Flowers for my pillow, and for roof the sky,
Playing all that heart remembers,
Old old songs from far away.
Golden Juncs and blcal; Deccmbers,
Rise around me | play
Ah it is gay night and day,
Fair and cloudy weather;
Fiddle and | wandering by
Over the world together"
The listeners eyes were moist but she smiled as it
to hide her feeling Promise me- she said that you
will conc back this way again this and play
for me-
The man turned rcsolutely. 81 PROMISE" he said,
God wiling
He went at last, but turned once at the crossroads
where he might have last sight OF the white farm
house Shirley was still standing at the gate gazing
after his Tc,reating form.
In late September the tramp passed that way again
not tie same tramp for he was made by the heal
ing of nature He longer thin and pale but stall
wart and ruddy and he swung along with the buoyancy
of health.
Shirley came from the village where she had been to
get tho mail 1t good mile and half to the farm
house but she liked the walk and better still to get
away from tho circle OF her auns insular but
kindly naiGre and from Hannahs sharp tongue. AS
she got quite OF the village she was surprised 10
hear music coming from behind great oaktrcc by
tho side OF the road She stopped suddenly. for she
recognized the song her extraordinary tramp as she
ALWAYS called him in her honghts-had played and
sang for her that June day Seeing her he
o,. i, ,l,S road and bowed 10 her
rI was in tho village" he explained and you
go into the pos-oiice ] out here and waited
tlIe lance Of meeting you and keeping promise to
play for you again" He did not tell her how many
miles he had como OF his way to keep that promise
q thought" he continued If went on to the house