The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-12

first leading her son by the
= hand. the father next ioi-
lowed by the two small brothers
and the sister. The street was
lined with the curious. The foot
man with his nose uptiited leaned
round and opened the door instead
'of getting down and playing the
perfect servant. 1t was all one to
Leon. His mother watched him
sink into the deep plush cushions
and handed his violin to him al
most revorently.
She leaned in to feel the seats
her boy was sitting on and OBJ
served with wondering glance a
dainty clock and n spray of lilies
OF the valley in a holder.
Not mt All Envious.
She was not euvious as she closed
the door, rather. very proud; the
eyes of Allen street were upon her.
This was the beginning of. the
dream she had dreamed in the
SHOWS of Russia. The horn sound
ed again; the door slammed: the
big car started slowly, and even
then at the imminent period of life
and limb, and Leon, almost hidden.
was started on his journey to the
tabled halls of wealth to play
fivc-dollar violin before discrimi-
mating company.
He was rather excited; this was
the first time he had ever ridden
in an automobile: once he had been
treated to a ride on stage on
sightseeing trip to Central Park,
but this was distinctly different.
This was comfort absolute: he
looked at the violin and saw in 1t
promise. If he could buyu his
mother something like this car in
which he sat--that was thought.
Out Of the Ghetto, through the
East Side, across Broadway and on
to the avenue with its lights and
it's life. Leon remarked to himself
on the difference in the men and
women as compared with those in
Allen street and the difference in
the buildings. Plenty Of food for
reflection.
At last tho car stopped, and this
time the footman, as though the
spirit of service descended on him
like mantle when he reached the
environs of the rich, stepped down
and held open the car door for Leon
Kantor to alight.
He felt almost grand, II a little,
timid. There was porte cochere
and a red carpet leading UP. marble
steps. evidently made to be walked
on. Leon moved Eingcrly with no
help from the footman; at the top
of the stairs pompous butler was
inclined to halt him. Fortunately
Mrs, Van de Venter came into view.
our little musician She took
him by the arm as he removed his
can and ushered him into a smaller
room. trying to make him feel quite
at home.
Leon. with the adaptability OF
childhood, responded easily. A few
kind words go great way wher-
ever they are spoken. Left with an
obliging maid. who offered him a
platc of ice cream, Leon forgot all
about home and reveled in this
nectar Of the rich so different from
the skim milk product of the ice
cream carts.
He was striking up quite a friend
ship with the maid when his hostess
came to lead him to tho sacrifice.
"You won't be afraid, will you,
Lcon?"
He shook his head.
lie Makes Promise.
you'll do the best you can. won't
you"
lie assured her with smile that
he would
I'm sure you will" Mrs. Van dc
Nentor was as anxious for frr own
reputation as for his.
Tho buzz OF conversation ceased
when the hostess entered leading
Leon. and the men and women who
sat or stood about the big room
looked critically at tho little boy
with the violin case in his small
hand.
Certainly thcrc was nothing
about him TO show that he could
play the most difficult of instru-
mcpts. His hair did not curl and
he did not show any OF the So
caNcd marks of eccentricity too Of
ten attributed to genius.
But the company was lcnient.
Mrs. Van dc Ncntcr led her small
protcgc TO the middle OF the room
and presented him in n little speech.
She had the good taste to refrain
from cxtrsvagant praise and the
good sense to he brief
Then Leon found himself stand
ing alone facing several hundred
faces. most Of them bored. some Of
them beautiful. He opened the
cheap violin case and drew forth
the shabby violin.
Once or twice he swallowed hard
as he picked tho strings for tho
right pitch. Already through his
hNsn were sureins the notes OF a (