The Sentinel=record., 1915-05-02


 story,
 "All up and down the world wan
 dered when | was young.
 "Oh many were the days l sQuan-
 dered many were the songs
 sung,'
 Bent forward, his feeble frame throbbing with emotion, his bony hand Caressing the strings of the battered banjo, the days of his yesterdays passed before him, the hours of his boyhood were again upon him. with all their joys, pleasures and happy rccol- lections. The summer of his early life rose before him, like a sweet vision, and clustered together, fresh and green and tied with a bow of un- dying affection were mother, father home and loved ones.
 And as the singers broke into cho- rus, his shriveled fingers seemed to stri ,ghten out with renewed life and vgor, as they struck the strings Of the banjo, which seemed to catch its aged masters spirit, as with a strange ana weird harmony heard higl above the chorus of voices, and the orches tra accompaniment rang out the q r and soul stirring chords from its worn ou. strings.
 The solo, through its plaintive words, seemed to chise deep in his heart memories that would not fade out and lowering over the old banjo he fondled it with all the feryor of a mother over her babe, the heart of the old musician was reflected in its tones, for if seemed to commune, and rehearse, the pleasures and gayeties of their earthly companionship. at the bent form of the old man, end tears of sympathy and pity rofed down many cheek and were brush ed aside by many a trembling hand.
 The singers and the audience gazed
 With plaintiye sadness the last lues were sung, and the words: Just little hut among the bushes
 One dat love
 Sadly 10 my memory ushes. no mat
 ter where l rove
 "Ail the world am sad and droady
 Every where 1 roam.
 Oh how my heart grows weary
 Fat from the dear old home
 And as the voice of the singer died out the bowed head was lifted. and there seemed to shine out from his wrnhled face the bright light of a new dawning
 A radiant smile spread OCT his face as he pressed the banjo strings. and they seemed to gain newer and richer harmony, and the old mans voice rang out in perfect pitch and tone, loud and sweet They tod the story of better days, and in weird and plaintive tones, chanted tales of waywardness, sorrow and remorse. of love, repentance hope that softly faded out as his fingers wandering o'er tic strings painted an ivy clad cottage and from its rose embOwered windows there floated out an inspira. tion, Home sweet home" The click of the banjo suddenly stlled and his head sank upon his breast.
 The curtain was lowered, and the audience was about to depart, when the manager appeared in front and announced that the minstrols had unanimously agreed 10 donate one half of the proceeds to the old musi elan, and asked for contribution from the audience. which was re- spOnded 10 like a golden shower. and when the amount was announced. hearty rounds of applause broke forth. The minstrel was called to the stage and the manager went to escort him. Walking to where he sat, he laid his hand gently on his arm to assist him 10 arise. Looking into the minstrcFs pallid face, ne saw that amid the mu- sic and song he loved SO well. his soul had fjoated out, and upward. lo revive associations with the great angelic throng, and with mother father, and earth's redeemed brother hood sing everlasting song. of praise and thanksgiving.
 Dead? Yes, his heart and lips had sunk its last earthly song, the strings of his loved banjo had been touched and caressed by its masters hand, and had quiyered and thrilled their last notes. when they roated out from One ivy-clad cottage window, on their way home
 Like the song of the bird when it escapes its prison cage, which makes its life sad and dreary.
 No longer wanderer the old min strel lays peacefully sleeping in the village churchyard and among tae flower-covered graves, a simple slab marks the spot, engraved on its face. the masters old banjo and the fol- lowing inscription:
 "All the world am sad and dreary.
 Dbry where l roam,
 Oh how my heart grows weary,
 Longing for home, sweet home"