The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1910-10-15


his head in his hands. and gave him
self up to despair. He groaned aloud
rs he thought OF his mother. then
springing to his feet, he began to pace
the narrow confines of the cell
what will become of her? It will
kill her II I am not allowed to return
home SOON"
The boy was In such an agony of ap-
prehension that he fairly trembled
when, about midnight, two men under
the influence of liquor were literally
thrown inside. One fell In an inert
mass upon the filthy floor, and the
other, not so far gone. proceeded to
make night hideous by his maudlin
songs and yells.
When morning came Sammy. who
felt he had experienced horrible
nightmare. gladly obeyed the summons
to appear before the desk sergeant.
The man looked kindly disposed, and
Sammy took heart as he stood before
him, tightly clutching his hat with
both hands.
"YouSt manner" asked the sergeant.
barely glancing up. then dropping his
eyes to the page before him.
Samuel Blumenthal."
"Blumenthal." repeated the sergeant
slowly, as he write 1t down. He
studied a moment, then: II used to
know a man of that name. l wonder
are you any kin to Prof. Carl Blumen-
thal?"
"Oh yes, he was my father, but he's
dead now" Sammy's voice trembled.
The sergeant Strengthened up, and
looked the prisoner over with critical
eye.
your father, was he, what did he
do for living?"
"He was musician" said Sammy
proudly, "a professional musician. He
led orchestras, and taught music. Also,
he was composer"
1T Is the same" said the sergeant
half to himself, my old leader and to
think of finding his boy like this"
When he had been informed of the
charge against Sammy. he ordered the
boys immediate release.
but where's my violin?" cried Sam
my. 1T was my fathers, you know,
SIR"
What, not his Stradivarius; you
didn't have that valuable instrument
out playing UPON the street. did your
cried the sergeant.
But l have no other" began Sam
my. after father died, we became so
poor that had to sell my own violin,
a cheap one, and had to use fathers"
''It's a wonder you didn't sell that
one. If remember, your father valued
It at more than thousand dollars"
ooh, yes, man offered me that for
It," said Sammy simply. "but mother
couldn't let It go. She cried SO hard.
said It should be our last resort"
Turning to the officer, the sergeant
said grufIiy: Bring the boys violin!"
Then: what was the name Of the or
chestra your father led?"
"Why just Blumenthal's Orchestra,
that's all Did you know of it?"
Ibid I? Well, was a member for
five years. was playing there the night
your father died of heart disease. And
now, my boy, here's your property,
hurry right home to your mother. Tell
her I'm coming to see her this even
ing. and maybe I'll bring her some
good news"
Clasping the precious violin tightly
| In his arms Sammy few over the in
tervening blocks till he reached the
shabby building In the side street he
called home. Up the two long flights Of
stairs he rushed, quaking with fear fol
the dear mothers safety. Bursting
open the door of her room, he found
her seated in bed. in the act OF prayer
Dropping his violin in chair, he sanl
upon his knees at the bedside, and
found himself enveloped In the tender
mother arms.
| "Oh, Sammy. my boy, where have
you been? What happened to your"
'T-oh mother, I didn't intend you
should know, but now can't help 1t
/ must tell you ALL" he cried inco
herently.
Eyes, yes" and gazing into his eyes
she waited.
e." he hesitated, then went reso
lutely on. i've deceived you, mother
That house, you know, where I said
was to play, last night. there was nc
such house and had no such engage
ment. Twas all imaginary"
What" she cried, mo such house!
Then there was no grand piano. nc
pictures, no books, none of the refine
ments OF wealth, such as your mother
was used to In her girlhood? oh, Sam
my, how could you, how could you de
ceive me so?"
mo, mother, was In no such place
I told you that to keep you from feel
ing badly. I knew how you'd feel II
you knew the truth"
"Oh, my boy" his mother cried wild
ly, you haven't been doing anything
ACKNOWLEDGMENT tell me that"
mo, nothing dishonorable. nothing
verse than playing on street cor
ner."
"Oh," she said deeply dismayed
mot that; surely the son Of Carl Los
Blumenthal wouldn't be obliged tt
stoop to that"
But had to get money some way
and I've tried the theater orchestrai
and they all say I'm too young"