The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-08-03
Continued from Page 81
THE STORY OF A VIOLIN.

Tony's eyes blazed like black Goals.
With protesting gesture, he stepped
forward; but his voice trembled so
that he could hardly speak.
"Grandfather, you should send the
Signor his violin quick,-the one he
paid for, l will take it to him. You
can exchange it now. He must have
| it,"
Old Hamel turned away with a
shrug and smile.
20, Tony, Tony, you have much to
learn, my son! You are really a
greenhorn. Bah! What a milksop
for BUSINESS"
The boy had grown very white
when Hamel told what had been done,
but now his face flushed crimson.
Picking up his cap, he went to the
richly colored Stradivarius, lifted it
from it's cushions, and as if it were
some living, lovable thing, Rugged it
to him, while he turned to the old
man.
"Grandfather, l will go to rectify
your mistake" And he moved toward
the door.
You will?" said Hamel, stepping
after him, his face darkening with
sudden passion. could | not take it
from you, boy? But never mind. Go
if you will. But send the fiddle back
to me. Don't come yourself"
Tony trembled. What was to be-
come of him? He had no money, no
friends in France, if anywhere.
Clutching the violin, he sank back
against the doorway; shudder ran
through him. For the first time in
his life he knew the temptation to be
dishonest. Opportunities had often
come to him, but they had not tempt
ed him. Even in the worst poverty
at Florence, there had always been
something to which he could look
forward-his little earnings by street
fiddling, something which would put
bread into the mouths of the dear lit
tie mother and himself; and she had
always made home for him, even
if it were only garnet. But now he
had no one except his grandfather;
and nothing-not even the strength
to labor. What but starvation ant
misfortune lay before him if hi
crossed the will of the old man?
Tony lifted his eyes, and saw Ham
els anger-distorted face and frown
ing brows bent upon him. do right
my Tony, and grow like thy father.
| rI hic o.
plainly as though they had only JUS
been spoken; and the memory o
that voice was like delivering angel
He raised his head and suddenl!
grew pale again.
Il will go, grandfather"
And, clasping the violin, he passed
into the street.
A gentle rap on the door of Room
20, Hotel R.
Ito see Monsieur explained thu
servant to the gentleman within, Al
he ushered in boy.
> "Eh?" said the gentleman, turnin,
his glasses upon Tony. '"The youn,
,, violinist! Come in. And what bring
!, you? With another violin, too! Wan
= to sell out your stock, eh?" And tn
gentleman smiled genially.
! The boy flushed red, then pale.
81 am Tony Marelli, Signor. l hav
come to correct a mistake. Tn
wrong violin was given you, Signol
in-in the hurry. l bring you tn
: Stradivarius." And he held it ou
:. What" cried the gentleman. "Ho,
is this? A mistake? I have not tn
violin I paid for?"
mo, Signor. The violins got e1
= changed somehow. But / came a
> quick as l could with the right on.
, You will see the difference at ono
by comparing them. This is-oh,
= violin for king to play on, Signor!
! (The boys love of the instrumer
broke out in forgetful enthusiasm).
. MY grandfather Che winched
does not know the true worth of sue
: an instrument as this. He rates the1
= only by what he can get for then
= He has no ear for music. But thinl
. Signor! If it speaks so softly for nj
II how heavenly sweet it could sound fo
! one like Talmador Ovad!"
: The gentleman started.
! "Talmador Ovad And what do yo
! know of him?"
Il heard him play once, in Flo
ence," said Tony, with luminous eyes
land no one could forget that, fc
it was like the singing of angels. An
after I tried each day to play over a
% that he played, remembered it a.
s Il think every note of it,-but
play it,-that was another thing.
20 could get the tune well enough; b,
e that was like one voice, while his Wa
n as il all the angels were singing t
e gether in a whisper
lie The gentleman. looking at Ton