Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-01
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Hints
Woman and Home
The Morning S tory
FIDDLESTICl<S.
by Hope Aiuslcc.

April was approaching and. unmind-
I full of the datc--and, in fact, not car
ling that 1t was All Fools Day-thc
Mems League OF the town had planned
for a concert for the benefit of the pub
Z lie school. II was to be concert in
which one or two wcil-known musical
artists from the city We're TO partic-
pate, and, thinking that little home
talent nigh; help to bring out local
citizens, the league had asked George
CASTOR Herbert 10 play a number on the
violin. The fact that he was asked to
play with wcll-linown performers only
added TO his already too sufficient self
esteem.
Its our ono best chance" said Fred
Watson when he heard Of it. Wen
play some sort Of April Fool trick on
him and show him that we see through
his big head"
It'll do him good--mayhc.'' volun-
teered Eugenia Wellcs, who. i'm spite of
Georges peculiaritieS, liked him more
than little
You're not very sanguine of results.
Genie, eh"" asked Fred, pointedly. But
you'd like TO be-"
For answer EuEena turned and left
him with toss of her head. She did
not care 10 he tcascd about George
since he seemed TO he so unpopular.
But, deep In her heart, she knew that
his unpopularity was only skin deep.
She had the utmost confidence in the
belief that he would prove himself all
right as he grew older.
When the evening of the concert ar
rived, the young people OF the town
were all present, and among them there
was suppressed excitement over the
Joke they had pernctratcd on George.
His number was to follow a vocal solo
by young woman from the city. She
was rather famous as a soprano
Eugenia knew of the joke, and Mt the
approach OF Georges solo her hands
became cold with nervousness. She
wished that she had not known ii: she
wished she were not present; she
wiShed--ycs. She c.en wished she had
told him OF it.
Presently the applause died away
and George Baston Herbert stepped
onto the stage. violin and bow in hand.
He carried himself with much dignity.
and his evening clothes hung well on
his great frame. He made stiff hut
not unpleasant. little bow and low
cred his eyes ana raised his bow to
begin his number as the aCcompnni-
ment reached the proper chords.
AS he drew the bow across the vio-
lin strings the bow fell apart. and a
few boys in the audience cried April
cool! April fool"' The cry was half
hearted. for more of them than one
had repentcd. too late. OF the practical
joke they had planned on one Of their
number.
For moment George looked
stunned, then, the full significance
of the episode dawned on him. he
smiled across at the audience and at
the boys whom he knew had done 1t
and said, "Tiddlcsticks!' Then he
bowed and left the stage
a burst of applause rang ont for
him for the good-natured manner in
which he had taken this practical
aI In
joke was surprise to the jollcrs.
Eugcnia Wcllcs was trying hard to
keep from crying, ana in spite Of her
effort. two big tears rolled down nor
cheeks, but no one but her mother saw
them.
Afterward George met 2ugcna ana
the boys In the hall IL was smiling
and good -naturcd and he bore them
not the slightest grudgc
ut was alright, fellows deserved
II. ] guess"
You took it like star. George"
said Fred Watson. IT could have
undone the trick Il minute before YOU
appeared Ia have done II, But It's al
ways such a temptation TO give n tum-
BILE to your dignity, old man"
You've done IT, this time" he nd
mitted. noddlng his head as if he were
absorbing the .,.f,ll meaning OF tho
April fool trick .hIs friends had per-
petrated upon him
"And-you're not bit angry ut us?r
asked Eugcnia, timidly. Her hands
were beginning 10 warm up again, ana
all traces Of tears had vanished
do ! look it,"
You sure don't, George" answered
Fred. calling him 10y that undignified
din.inut!ve q his name for the first
time.
And the others echoed the scnti-
ments.
"Are you afraid to lie, me come home
when ne had an opportunity 10 speak
with her.
rs this bona dde or an Aprn fool
offer OF escort" the girl asked. naive
Try me ana sec" laughed George
where my bow !s--iny own ne asked.
II have it safe ana sound George. %
said Fred Watson. "and I hope youll
:. forgive US for the Joke"
%Forget it, replied George. using
the slang FOR the frs, time Ana thnn
and there the crowd knew that he had
come down TO earth to remain on their
level.
"Would-w would YOU believe tina, !
cried with shame and humiliation
when il happened. George" Eugenta
asked when he stood on the porch to
say BOOu iilEiil W Nor!
"Cried?-actual!y cried, Eucenia -
4 he asked.
The girl nodded
He raised her face with his finger
and thumb on her chin Am | worth
a tear-of yours. dear" he asked, ten
derby.
IL felt so ashamed to think had
helped in so horrid a practical joke
4 on--on you" she confessed.
There Is one way in which you can
make up to me. BE my own girl and
help me to restrain this exaggerated
idea Of dignity and my own exalted
opinion Of George CASTOR Herbert.
Will YOU
"And make II an April LIST We shall
always remember sf" asked, she
let him take her in his arms
"Always--alwaYs." lie said
Copyright. 1919 10y the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)