A Complete Story

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 36, 3 September 1924, Page 11

A Complete Story

THE VIOLINIST AND HIS GREAT : | MASTERPIECE (By Francis McGuinness, in the Dublin Weekly Freeman.) * "Listen, father! Who is that ' playing • the violin so nicely?" . Father and daughter were walking along the street together, little Molly grasping her father's hand, and wellnigh running in the endeavor to keep up' with his long steps. The streets were snow-bound, winter's carpet covering everything and turning the dark and sordid into the purest of white. Through the frosty air came the sound of a violin, in sweet, plaintive melody, now sinking soft and low, and again rising and breaking into a volume of rich, sad sound. It was an old Irish air, one of those which search the heart and bring to the eye unaccustomed tears. "Isn't it nice, dad? I wonder who it is?" Mr. Evans was himself wondering who the player was. "It seems to be coming from the next street, dear. We shall see when we turn this corner." They turned tho corner, and Molly saw at once, her violinist. He was little more than a child, standing in the middle of the street. His clothes were shabby, and his cheeks worn and thin. His hand trembled as it held the bow, and gave a tremolo to the notes. But the eye had barely time and power to grasp these details, so much did the ear claim all attention. For one so young the performance was splendid. The lad could not have been more than eleven years old, but the feeling and expression shown were superb. Mr. Evans stopped to listen, and Molly with the greatest joy followed suit. When at length the music stopped, Mr. Evans went over to tho child. "Why are you playing here in the streets? Have you no one to look,after you?" The lad shook his head. . "I was staying with my father till yesterday, when he ■went away, telling the people where we were staying that I would have to look out for myself. And so I tried to earn my living this way." Mr. Evans made up his mind with a quickness which surprised even himself. He was well-to-do, and a widower. Molly was only four when her mother died, and.since then her father had devoted to her all his time and care. One more in the family would not make any difference, especially when that one was a genius, as Mr. Evans was fully persuaded the lad was. , "Would you like to come and live with me and my little daughter?" he asked. The lad's eyes smarted, and then took an expression of incredulity. "Live with you!" he faltered. "You.really mean it?". "Of course I do. Now come with me. I'll soon arrange everything. Come along, Molly." Mr. Evans's expectations were completely realised.. John Redfern, as the lad said he was called, fulfilled perfectly the early promise he had given. No expense had been spared on the part of his adopted parent; the best masters had been procured, and every opportunity given to him to improve his wonderful talent. Worthily he had corresponded, and after many weary days of hard work and continued practice, he was at last to make his first appearance. There was a great deal of anxiety in Mr. Evans's house that day. Molly, now a bright maiden of thirteen, walked about, trying in vain to distract herself. She felt as if she wanted to talk to everyone she met about the great event of the evening, and whether John would make a great name for himself. " .. A, "You know, dad," she said, "I shall die of grief if John doesn't make a great hit." ' ( . "You die!" said her father, looking at the bright eyes and rosy, laughing cheeks. "You look like dying '.": J "I've said any amount of prayers to Our Lady," went

on. Molly, "and I am going to say the Rosary just befdrl we go, and I'm sure Our Lady will help us;" Mr ; Evans smiled with pleasure at the fervent piety of the child, and from his own heart sent up a fervent prayer for John's success. Evening came, and Molly and her father sat in th» stalls. The building was packed with an eager, curious crowd, for the rumor had gone forth that John was something above the Ordinary. When he appeared, a trifle whit© and nervous, Molly's heart beat fast with anxiety; At, first he played one of those intricate p'ieces, in which th© melody is well-nigh lost in the labyrinth of trills and runs, but its execution pleased the connoisseurs foy the splendid technique shown. Then, after the applause had died away, he began, Gounod's "Ave Maria." As he played the first low, vibrating notes, a great hush fell upon the vast throng. The violin seemed to bo a human voice, uttering in low, sad tones the misery of earth's children. Then the music rose and swelled forth breaking into passionate waves of melody which broke upon the vaulted roof and came surging back again into the hearts of the hearers. It was a living prayer, borne from earth on the wings of sound to the throne of the sweet Mother of God. It was no longer a more human effort, but a song of angels. Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. , . "Now and at the hour of our death." The notes thrilled the hearers. Was it man or angel who gave out those sounds of heavenly music? It was the heart prayer of a sinner, the pleading of a wanderer, the sobbing of a soul. As the last notes died away in the simple, pathetic "Amen," the great crowd sat still and intent. The last quivering vibration ceased. A moment's silence, then a movement of relief, a quick breath of emotion, and then a great roar of applause burst forth, and a thunder of voices seemed to make the very building rock and tremble. John's success was complete. He was overwhelmed with congratulations, and he returned home with Molly and her father with a heart overflowing with joy and happiness. His future was now secure, and he would be able to repay Mr. Evans for his kindness. The next day he was besieged, with offers. An American tour at royal prices was offered for his acceptance. The London houses were also eager to retain his services. Arrangements were made, and John Redfern was fully launched on the sea of the world. Six years after John Redfern was standing in his room thinking upon the past. The room was .luxuriously furnished, and gave evidence of the artistic taste of its occupant. Expensive little ornaments were to be found on every hand. Yet there was nothing vulgar, no offensive display of wealth, but a quiet air of comfort- and prosperity seemed to pervade the apartment. John stood thinking upon tho past six years. At first everything had been splendid. Ho had created* a furore wherever he went. The newspapers were full of * him. The reporters exhausted all their stock of startling . adjectives in describing his performance. Nor was his early I life left unknown. Some journalist had, somehow or other, •' got hold of it, and the facts were soon in everyone's mouth. This in itself was enough to make him an attraction. All over the Continent his progress has been one continued triumph. He was persecuted by admirers and surrounded by * new friends. But, unfortunately, prosperity had been his undoing; Removed from home influence and surrounded by strangers, he began let things slip. First it was Sunday Mass. True, it was hard to get up-on a Sunday morning after a fatiguing night's playing; but John's conscience smote him when he thought ,of the hours of hard work he had given without a murmur to his violin practice. Nothing was then too hard; but now everything was so different, . With j tho loss of • Mass, other ■things,,went wrong, and so, as . John Redfern. stood thinking of , the past, his thoughts were not.of the pleasantest kind, ,; ? v : He had not seen -Molly : for over a year. She was now a Fright young woman of nineteen. When he saw her last he knew that his former brotherly love for her had grown into something deeper and tenderer. But, with the remembrance of his failings he had hesitated to. offer himself as, a suitor for her hand, for he knew well-that Molly had been grieved to the heart by his neglect of religion. ,

All this and more\passed through his mind as he stood Thinking on this April- morn. The spring had come, and the trees were just bursting into bud and bloom. Outside his window the birds sang cheerily and merrily, but the heart of the musician was filled with bitterness. - Why was he thus? Could he not go back to the old life of love and happiness? Could he not make a new start and leave the past as a memory ? But these thoughts were answered by others. Why should he make a fool of himself again? Had he not tried before and failed? Let him take what the world offered him and pluck the roses ere they faded. , With this tumult of thought and counter-thought passing within his brain, he crossed over to the open window, when there fell upon his ear a well-known, oft-repeated melody. It was the Ave Maria which had been the cause of his success. Softened by distance, the sound came sweetly and clearly, and brought back a flood of cherished memories. It brought back to his mind the love he once had for the Virgin Mother—the love which had burned within him that night and made his instrument speak forth in passionate melody the love and joy which existed in his own breast. "Mother of God Mother of God!" he cried, and with a sob of anguish he fell on his knees by the open window, and let the music bring him back to love and faith. The Mother of God would help him and would intercede for him. A thousand miles away, a young girl was kneeling before the Tabernacle, saying her beads. She knew not then that her prayers were heard, but she never kneels now.without thinking of what her husband has since told her, and the wondrous way in which Mary rearded her prayers. A POPULAR PRIEST FATHER O'FERRALL HONORED. A social evening, arranged by the Catholic Club, was held in St. Patrick's Hall on the 21st ult. (writes our Timaru correspondent), in honor of Rev. Father J. More O'Ferrall, S.M., prior to his departure from Timaru. Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., presided, and accompanying the guest of the evening were Fathers Barra, S.M., Ryan, S.M., and Kane, S.M., and Rev. Brothers Palladius and Virgilius. A large number of the laity were present. After an hour spent at games, a choice musical programme was given, when the audience was treated to several Irish songs by the Rev. Father Ryan, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, Wellington; and needless to add all were simply charmed with his glorious voice. Mr. Wm. Reilly rendered a few violin selections -in a very, pleasing manner, ably accompanied by Mr. Gregory Fitzgerald, and Mr. G. F. Doyle sang a couple of songs which were well received. The chairman, after stating the object of the gathering, paid a graceful tribute to the good work accomplished by their guest during his residence here; and then invited a few representatives of the affiliated clubs to address the meeting. Mr. J. B. Crowley, for the Catholic Club, spoke at length of the valuable work performed in connection with the organisation of the club and of the popularity of Father O'Ferrall among the young people of the parish and then on behalf of the combined snorting bodies made a presentation of a fine rug. Mr. M. T. Houlihan, captain of the Celtic Football Club, Mr. J. G. Venning, president of St. John's Tennis Club, and Mr. H. Travis, for the Rifle Club, referred to the regret of. all at Father O'Ferrall's departure, testified to the esteem in which he is held by all the members of the athletic and social clubs; and heartily wished him every happiness in the future. Father O'Ferrall, made a happy reply, thanking the speakers for their kind remarks and the useful present, and stated. how pleased he always was to do whatever he could for the young people of the parish, adding his regret at leaving Timaru where he had made so many friends. After a choice supper was dispensed by the lady members of the Hockey Club, the gathering broke up after giving rousing cheers for the departing guest. Father O'Ferrall is leaving for the second Novitiate at Highden, near Palmerston North.

WAIMATE NOTES (From our own correspondent.) August 23. The new St. Patrick's . School, which has a very fine appearance and which should prove a boon to the children \ and the good'Sisters of St. Joseph,- will foe blessed and opened by his Lordship Bishop Brodie on Sunday> the 31st inst. ■ | Last Sunday the 10.30 o'clock Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Vincent, Marist Missioner, who has been spending a few days at the presbytery. At Mass and evening devotions he preached sermons that will long be remembered by those who heard them; The Catholics of Waimate desire to welcome Messrs. Boland and Knell who have recently come to this town to open up business as barristers and solicitors, and wish them even* success. ASHBURTON NOTES (From our own correspondent.) August 25. Mr. G. Lloyd, for many years stationed at Mt. Somers, ■ but latterly in the Goods Office of the N.Z. Railways at Ashburton, has received notice of his transfer, on promotion to the Christchurch office. Mr. H. Hewson, who for the past four years has been in the office of Messrs. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., has received notice of his transfer, to the Kaikoura office of tho company. Mr. Hewson was on Wednesday evening last the recipient of a solid leather suitcase from members of the staff. The usual fortnightly meeting of the St. Patrick's branch-(No. 420) of the H.A.C.B. Society, held on Monday evening last, was largely attended, the president (Bro. F. L. Brophy) presiding. One new member was proposed; and two were received on transfer from other branches. A motion recinding a previous one in reference to forwarding of £l5O to the Consolidated sick fund with the N.Z. District, was carried unanimously after a long discussion. The weekly meeting of the Catholic Literary and Debating Society took place on Wednesday evening last, the president (Mr. Wm. Bryant) presiding over a good attendance. Programmes were arranged till the date of the annual meeting (September 24), a few items of which are: an oratorical competition for trophy, prepared debate, impromptu debate and social evening. The programme took the form of an "Editor's Box," several interesting questions being answered most satisfactorily, more especially by tho junior members. There is little hope that the St. Mary's Tennis Club will revive this coming season. The same difficulty appears this year as last— of there being no vacant courts and the club not having a large credit balance, is therefore not in a position to purchase grounds. By going out for 12 months the members have joined other clubs, and it is questionable if they would reconsider returning to their old club in the event of its resuscitation. TRANSFER OF FATHER GINISTY, S.M News has just reached Nelson of the promotion of the Rev. Father Ginisty to the position of assistant-priest of the parish of Timaru (says the Nelson Evening Mail for Thursday, August 21). Genuine regret will be felt (by the parishioners of St. Mary's, where he has labored so zealously for some twelve months, on learning of his transfer. The sorrow occasioned by the departure of Father Campbell for Whangarei was tempered by the expectation of Father Ginisty's early return, which is now to take the form of, a. farewell visit. During his short stay here he has made himself ..extremely popular by his devotedness to the work of his calling, more particularly in the districts of Wakefield and Waimea. Here he proved himself a successful organiser, and by bringing the people together for social functions fostered a good community spirit and secured the revenue to effect many Church improvements. The children in particular will miss a firm friend for his interest in them was most marked, and they came in for a large share of his zeal. He will carry, with him to his wider field. the best wishes of all who have benefited by his zealous work as well as the kindliest feeling' of many not ; directly associated with his Church activities. '■;'■■