Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-10-14

The man looked kindly disposed, an
Sammy took heart as he stood befor
him, tightly clutching his hat wit
both hands
Your name?" asked the sergeant
barely glancing up. then dropping hi
eyes to the page before him.
| Samuel Blumenthal."
"Blumenthal," repeated the sergean
slowly. as he write it down. HI
studied moment. then: Il used t,
know a man of that name. | wonde
are you any kin to Prof. Carl Blumen
thal?"
"Oh yes, he was my father. but he:
dead now" Sammy's voice trembled
The sergeant Strengthened up, ant
looked the prisoner over with critica
| eye.
Your father, was he, what did h
do for living?"
He was a musician said Sammy
proudly, "a professional musician. He
led Orchestras,. and taught music. Also
he was a composer"
1T Is the same" said the sergeant
half to himself, my old leader and t.
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 sc
poor that had to sell my own violin
cheap one, and had to use fathers.
ITS a wonder you didn't sell that
one. If remember, your father valued
1t at more than a thousand dollars"
"Oh, yes, a man offered me that for
It," said Sammy simply. "but mother
couldn't let 1t go. She cried so hard
said it should be our last resort"
Turning to the officer, the sergeant
said grufIly: Bring the boys violin!"
Then: What was the name Of the or
chestra your father led?"
fWhy just Blumenthals Orchestra,
that's all Did you know Of it?"
did 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 flew 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 for
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 a chair, he sank
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, | didn't intend you
should know, but now l can't help 1t,
| must tell you ALL" he cried inco-
herently.
Yes, yes" and gazing into his eyes
she waited.
q" he hesitated, then went reso-
lutely on. I've deceived you, mother.
That house. you know, where I said l
was to play last night, there was no
such house and had no such engage
ment. Twas all imaginary"
What" she cried, mo such house,
Then there was no grand piano. no
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 SOL"
mo, mother, was in no such place
I told you that to keep you from feel
ing badly. | knew how you'd feel If
you knew the truth"
"Oh, my boy" his mother cried wild.
ly, you haven't been doing anything
dishonorable-don'tt tell me that"
NO, nothing dishonorable, nothing
worse than playing on a street cor
ner."
oh" she said deeply dismayed.
mot that; surely the son of Carl Los
wouldn't be obliged to
stoop to that"
But | had to get money some way.
and I've tried the theater orshestras
and they all say I'm too young"
well, what else?" His mother Law
back on the pillow with closed eyes.
You know. mother. there are some
places they won't let you play and I
was SO desperate, didn't think what
| was doing. and began playing at
such a place"
Yes. and-oh. Sammy, you were ar.
'ested"
"Yes," he assented. and hid his face
n the coverlet.
His mother groaned. ITO think of
ny Sammy in a police station. But Of
course they wouldn't keep you. when
hey found you had done no wrong"
Sammy lifted his eyes hopefully to
lis mothers face.
The police sergeant" he said
knew father. He was a member of
ather's orchestra, and said he was
coming to soc you this evening"
TO see me! Oh, no doubt to apol- |
,gize"
AS evening approached they listened |
o every step upon the stair, and when
It last the visitor arrived. he found a !