Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-17
DREAMLAND
ADVENTURES
The Music Makers
BY DADDY
CHAPTER I
Fred the Fiddler

MUSIC. soft and sweet. surprised
1V1 the cars of Jack and Janet Music
floating gently on the forest breeze.
Strange music-much differing from the
usual music of the woods. the caroling
Of birds, the trickling Of brooks. the
droning Of bees, the murmurinS of the
wind among the leaves.
Jack and Janet were curious as to
whence the music came. Was the
player n human or bird or fairy?
1t did not take them long to find out.
They followed the melody to Il shady
glade. There they parted the bushes
and before them was the player-a dark.
haired youth sitting on stump and
swaying back and forth as he drew his
bow over the singing strings of n violin.
at is Fred the Fiddler" whispered
Jack to Janet. Folks say he makes
new tunes out of his head instead Of
playing old tunes from music books.
Perhaps he is making n new tune
now exclaimed Janet. In her eager
ness to see the player make new tune
she leaned forward. bracing herself by
Clinging to the dead branch OF small
tree. Crack. The branch broke and
Janet tumblcd heels over head into the
glade, landing on her back ut the feet of
the startled musician.
Fred the Fiddler gave her an aston
ishing greeting. lie bounced from his
seat as though stung by II bee. With
a wild yell he hurled lis violin in one
direction and his bow in another. lie
thrust both hands into his long black
halr. as if to tear it out by the roots.
"Thcrr.' he shricked. You have
driven it away again -
Jack jumped to Janct's side. He was
AFRAID the angry musician mean to hurt
her. But Fred the Fiddler hurt only
himself. lie ran up and down pulling
MS hair and beating his fists together.
What have we driven away cried
jack. glancing around the glade. but
seeing nothing except trees and bushes.
Perhaps we can help you catch it,
How ran you catch II when it is
running about inside my head de-
inandcd Fred the Fiddler, stopping be-
lore Jack and Janet and gluring AT
mem. His queer talk made them afraid.
hut Janet was sorry for lin. he seemed
IN such distress.
What is it that is running about
IN your hcad|' she asked.
:, now tune" cried Fred the F'id-
uer' Ills rage seemed to leave him.
"A new tune for II wonderful song
ae sobbcd. "A lovely tune that will
.emiort aching hearts, that will soothc
~. .he pans of I he sick, that will make lit
TIC children dance in gadnrSs. 1t IS in
ny head, playing hide and seek with me.
want to seize it and bring it out where
~ the world can hear and enjoy it,
mere IN the quiet it was coming closer,
sosrr' closer, and then you broke the
opel Of silence and it fled in II panic"
rrra the Fiddler looked at Janet, but
now MS eyes brimmrd with sadness in
iTead Td OF gIaring with fury. Jack and
sane' s' were very sorry for him. Jack
P"hcd un his violin and Janet handed
him the bow.
am sorry ! scared your lovely tune
away, Janet whispered. I'VE will b"
beNi quiet and perhaps it will como
rr'h the Fiddler did not answer in
s,"' ""tuS' hnt he put the bow to the
SSo,hsS So,m Of his violin and music came
avn, anI Jack and Janet sat silently
., ""u listened, Their ears drank in every
so,"'h' son'aI as Fred the Fiddler played on,
a,met'ln"S ..nS soft and sad. sometimes gay
tn. t' MERRY, but always sweet and sooth-
w,a u" day was drowSy and the music
faI, IKE lullaby. NO wonder they
tho, tho 'neir II, eyes drooping. No wonder
ul,'"u comfortably of to sleep.
Jsctt Bang. The music ended.
I%vh TroS ana Janet sprang up in alarm.
Ho H'' lho Fiddler was in another frenzy.
TIa ,nrew his violin and bow from him,
AIR. mr' MS hair. lie shrickcd
wora "I 10 wonder he ragged. Tho woods
conf,a',l ~ an uproar--a mad. clamoring,
.nn"hhs racket. The noise was wild
tun"ss 10 scare away the bravcst of
~ "ee M Is a reason for the upr0ar. M
1sss snd Janet quickly learil--a very
|1SS--sr Ioa60l. AS will ho told In tn.snOr.