Plainfield High School - Hermiad Yearbook (Central Village, CT)

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8 THE HERMIAD up. Milo spoke again and asked him a question. This time the individual at the desk turned around, grunted an answer, and returned to his work. As Milo was going out hopelessly, he saw a violin on the table. Picking it up, he began to play. Immediately the whole aspect or the room seemed to change, as ii by magic. Instead of a place dreary with winter cold, the dingy old office seemed to be alive with the breath of spring, and the sweet notes of birds could be heard singing in the newly budding trees. Mr. Bloom turned in his chair as though a wonderful new idea had come to him, and said rather more courteously, W'here did you learn to play like that? In Holland, my native land, replied Milo. You return later, and I will talk business with you said Mr. Bloom, even kindly this time, Oh, thank you. I can't play this violin very well, but I have one of my own at home which I am more used to, and on which I can play very well, said Milo, as he departed. In the meantime, during his absence, his wife could think of nothing but the words he had whispered when he hung up his violin. Ah me, she sighed, he loves it better than he loves ine. She then knelt down and began to weep. Presently she heard a junk peddler calling. She got up, went to the win- dow, called to the peddler and sold him the violin for five dollars. VVith the money, she bought some food for herself and Milo. 'When Milo returned he could smell the good things cook- ing and it strengthened his appetite. It also aroused his curiosity, wondering where Hilda got the focd. VVhen he had taken off his hat and coat he sat down in his chair, and gazed lovingly up at the nail. His violin was not there! He began looking around the kitchen but could not find it. He was sure he had hung it on the nail, he had never put it anywhere else. But what had happened to it? He started up in a frenzy, Hilda. where is my violin ? Her face flushed, and she told him all. But I was hungry. she stammered as she ended thetale. Furthermore we needed food far more than you did your violin, she added. His face turned pale. and he started to go out. Milo, if vou will only forgive me. I will work and buy it back, Hilda begged. Before he got to the door, he turned and asked Hilda if she had the man's address.

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THE HERMIAD 7 He was close to the engine now-it was cnly two car lengths away-but the engine Was close to the tunnel. He saw the black hill ahead 3 then the smoke of the engine flew back and enveloped him in its choking fumes. How could he see the tunnel now? lf he failed to see it in time, he would be dashed off the car and killed. He wanted to drop flat, but fought off the impulse and strained every chilled nerve. He was on the last car vshen the warning telltales slapped his face cruelly. One hundred feet to the tunnel! Suddenly its wide mouth was right upon them, swal- lowing up the locomotive. Uttering a hoarse cry, he fell for- ward across the last gap between train and tender, and then, with a roar, the car entered the tunnel. Half unconscious, hatless, blinded and blackened by cinders and smoke, he wormed his way over the coal and rolled down into the cab at the feet of the astonished fireman. Self preservation is an instinct with railway crews. The presence of the frozen operator was all that was necessary to tell the engineer something was wrong. He brought the train to a stop as soon as possible and thus saved the freight from a disastrous wreck. LOST AND FOUND MIRIAM CORNELL MILO Van Wynkoop sat in his kitchen one cold stormy night, playing a mournful tune on his beloved violin. Everything in the kitchen looked poverty stricken, even to Milo himself. His pretty young wife, who was very weak for the want of food, came from the sinkroom, stood in the kit- chen door, and said: Oh, Milo, I am dying of hunger. Won't you please try and get some food to keep us from starving ? Milo arose from his chair, kissed his violin and hung it on a nail which was driven into the wall, and murmured, My friend. He then took his hat and coat, both in a very tat- tered condition, and departed into the stormy night. He went directly to the office of Mr. Bloom, who was manager of the musical department for the Gem Theatre. To his surprise, he found instead of the office boy at the door, who always told him the boss was out or too busy to see anyone, a beautiful young girl, who at once gave him admit- tance. He walked slowly into the office, and found Mr. Bloom seated at his desk. Milo spoke, but Mr. Bloom did not look

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THE HERMIAD 9 Yes, she returned, and went quickly to the desk and returned with it on a greasy slip ot paper. You had better eat your supper before you go out, said Hilda. But Milo's appetite was gone and he would not eat. He went directly to the junk peddler's house, and de- manded his violin. The peddler declared he did not have it, whereupon they both talked at once, with much waving of arms and shaking of fists. Then the peddler went into his house and came out followed by his wife and children. They all started up the street, with Milo close at their heels. Finally they came to a place where a cart was turned up- side down and junk scattered all around. A search was made for the violin, but it could not be found. Milo started for home, heartbroken. As he passed a certain block, he heard someone playing on a violin. He knew in an instant that it was his. He ran up a flight of stairs, opened the door, went in and seized his violin from the man who was playing it, and said, It be- longs to ine, ' and started running up the street, followed by the angry man shouting, Thief, thief! Milo was at length stopped by a policeman, and soon all the men who had anything to do with the violin appeared on the scene. Milo, Mr. Sabin the man from whom Milo had taken the violin. and Mr. Rubowitz, the peddler, were all taken tothe COl1ft to remain all night, and have their hearing the next morning. Milo wrote to Hilda that night, telling her that he had found his violin, and would be back early in the morning. The next morning, all three laid claim to the violin. Mr. Ru- bowitz said, I am the rightful owner I gave a lady five dollars for it. Sabin claimed it, for he had bought it froma lad who had found it. Well, said the judge, ' the only way to decide it is to see who can play it the best. He first offered the violin to Rubowitz, who said he couldn't play. He next offered it to Sabin, who grinned, took it, and played his only tune. It was hen handed to Milo, as the judge said, And now, Mr. Van Wynkoop, suppose we hear you. Milo tucked the violin beneath his chin and began to play. The ugliness vanished, and there appeared, instead, the charm of singing birds and sunshine, woods, brooks, and happiness. Evervone in the court-room listened breathless. The judge gave his decision without any hesitation, and a few minutes later Milo walked from the court room in posses- sion of his violin. He was trying to think of something to