The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-30

I1eT mother WOTked III a BnO0 Iac- tory. She trudged wearily home every evening, where the only hap piness she ever knew lay.
 Esther had to stay at home to keep house and cook, but she found time to study the old books her mother had found in rubbish can behind the factory.
 Esther was very ambitious and loved music. Some day she meant to have violin of her very own and perhaps if she saved all of her money she could take lessons.
 A Dream
 Then one night come remarkable dream, a dream never to be forgot ten. In her dream she saw herself in a beautiful dress, playing a violin before a large, enthusiastic audience. When she told her mother of her dream. she only sighed and said that it was only dream and they were seldom realized.
 Then Esther returned to her work. She hoped hers would be one of the few that were ever realized, and fought hard to keep back the tears that Just would come when she thought of her dreary life.
 Somehow. some day she was sure she should have the long wished for violin.
 A Stranger
 One day as she sat looking long ingly across the park where children of rich families played merrily, a. tall slender man came to her and asked: Little girl. do you know of any one who Is talented In music or wants to learn to play a violin very sc al Esther answered.: T don't know whether I'm talented or not, but want to learn very much and I'm sure could if I studied hard" Then he promised that she could have the violin and go to New York to study If her mother would consent.
 My dear wife played before she died and 1t was her wish that a per son such as you should have her violin he said as they walked down the darkening alley to the little hut to wait for the return of her mother When Esther's mother came, the to New York and learn to play the violin. No sooner had he finished asking the question than Esther was pulling her mothers skirts, implor- ing that she let her go.
 Has Talent
 Her mother knew she had talent If she could only develop it and was not this just the chance? Yes, she could go.
 The kind man-Mr. Fulton promised to call for her the next Monday.
 Esther could hardly wait for Mon day to come.
 Miss Donelle Fulton-the mans sister-was to go along with her to look after her.
 Esther's scanty wardrobe was washed, mended and packed when the great car rolled up to the door step.
 Esther's mother wept bitterly when she was gone, but was glad her child had such an opportunity. Miss Donelle and Esther caught the train at the dingy little station and were soon speeding away to New York.
 Esther was amazed at the mag nificence of the buildings and the way the people dressed.
 She felt a little ashamed of her dingy drab little dress
 To Buy Clothes
 When they arrived at their apart ment Miss Donelle told Esether they
 
 and buy some new clothe-
 Miss Donelle bought her lots of pretty dresses. slippers and other things 4
 Esther hurri d hole to try them on and she was lovely in them.
 The next day thoy went to MT. Monts, the man who was to teach her violin. This was the first time she had ever seen the violin. She seized it with her eager hands, placed it to her chin and drew the bow softly across the strings Mir. Monts was astonished. He had never seen a person who could play with out taking lessons, and he knew surely Esther had talent. With . happy look on her face, Esther played for fully half an hour while Miss Donelle and MT. Monts watched her silently.
 Fine Talent
 It was wonderful the way the girl could play, MT. .-cats said. But still, of course, he woul have to take lessons. Esther studied in New