Year: 1870

The Poor Old Fiddler


Music is said to enlarge the heart, aud
musicians are proverbial for their liberia
lity. Many are the In stnces given to
prove this, but we have seldom heard or
read anything more touching than the
following which we Aud In All exchange.
And friend, to whom We have shown 1t,
tells US that he has read 1t IN an account
given of the life Of Boucher In volume
containing the biographies of distin-
ghished artists, and that it was there
given as true. However it may be-
those Of our readers that have not yet
seen 1t, will thank US for giving the
incident place in our -colums.


One beautiful summer day there was
great festival in the large park at
Vienna. This park is called by the
people the Prater. 1t was almost cover
ed with the crowds Of people. Among
the number was an old musician. He
had once been a soldier, but his pension
was not enough to live on. He had
good, faithful old dog along with him
which ::::.v at his fee: and held an old hat
in his mouth So that passers by might
cast coins in it for the poor old man.


On the day Of the festival whicn !
have now mentioned. the dog sat before
him, with the old hat. Many people
went by aud heard the old musician
playing, but they didn't throw much
in. He looked sad enough as he saw
the multtudes pass in their strength
and youth and leauty, but
whenever they laughed it was like a
dagger to his soul, for he knew that on
that very evening he would have to go
to bed supperless, hungry as he was,
aud lie OH straw couch in a little gar
ret room. He placed his Old violin
down by his side, aud leaned against an
old tree. Not far off stood gentleman
IN fine clothes who had kind heart.
He listened to the old musician, and
when he saw that no one gave him
his heart was touched with
sympathy. He finally went to the dog,
aud looking Into the hat saw only two
copper coins in it, He then said to the
old musiciAn:


"My good friend, why don't you play
longer:'


Oh" replied the old man, "my dear
sir, cannot my poor arm is $" tired
that cannot; hold the bow; besides 1
have had no dinner, and have little
prospect of supper"


The kind gentleman gave him piece
of gold aud said:


"rll pay you if you will lend ME your
violin for one hour"


Every WE'LL you can do what you
will,' said the owner.


The gentleman took the fiddle and
bow, and said tO the old man, "Now,
may mate. you take the money and l
will play. am quite sure people will
give US something" The strange
gentleman began to play, every note
was like pearl. BY and ny the renp'"
began to drop money into the hat, and
it soon became so heavy that he could
not hold it any longer.


empty your hat, old man." said the
stranger, land we will fill it again for
YOU"


He pulled out an old handkerchief
and wrapped the money in it, and put
it in his violin bag.


The stranger kept on playing, first
one tune and the another-even child
rem seemed carried away with rapture.
At last he played that splendid song,
"God bless the Emperor Francis!" All
hats and caps few off their heads. for
the people loved their Emperor.
The song finally came to an end. The
hour was ended, and the musician
handed back the violin to the old man.


"Thank you," said he. MAY God
bless you!" aud he disappeared in the
crowd.


"Who is he :? Who is lie? 2" said the
people. "Where does he come from ?"


A certain person sitting in one of the
coaches said:


II know him. It is Alexander
Boucher, the distinguished violinist
It 10 just like him. He saw the ole
man needed help, and he determined t.
help him IN the best way he could"
The people then gave three cheers fo


Boucher, and put more money in th'
old mans hat. When he went hom'
that evening he was richer than he hat
ever been before.