THE ENCHANTED FIDDLER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 774, 21 September 1929, Page 37

THE ENCHANTED FIDDLER

Who Played An Elfin Horn

It was while the Fiddler was wandering over the fields, and playing to ; himself because he liked music, and thought it good company, that he : stepped into Playmerry Meadow. How ho got there he did not quite know, as | ho had taken no notice of the way he ; had come, but once inside he could j find no way out, so he sat down on the stump of a tree to finish his tune, and | think oyer what he was going to do. All this took a, little time, and when lie put the fiddle on his knee and let the bow hang idly in his fingers, it was past sunset, and the velvet dusk was creeping up over the sky. “One bed is as good sis another**’ thought the Fiddler to himself, who slept on straw or bracken whenever he could find any, and when he could not, was glad of the grass beneath ills feet and a roof of leaves. So he lay under the hedge with the fiddle at his side, and watched the stars glimmer through the slim branches of the hedgerows, like diamonds in a lace counterpane, and thought himself the luckiest of men to find a bed at ail, and because lie was contented in a. very short time lie fell asleep. At first he dreamt of nothing at all, then he began to think he was falling. Down, down, he went till he was afraid of losing his breath, and cried “Stop!” as loudly as he could. Then he bumped heavily into something, thrust out his hands, and opened his eyes. Playmerry Meadow was nowhere to be seen, but in its stead was a big hall, with a lofty, dome-shaped roof, and a great hearth with a glowing tire. Hung from the walls were silver chains, and hunting horns of solid gold. The firelight played on a shelf hewn in the wall, where stood bowls of burnished copper, dishes of shining silver, and goblets of pure gold. The Fiddler looked around him and found the place very empty. He also felt very lonely. “A little music will wake the echoes,’* he said aloud, “and make me feel more at home.” So he sat cross-legged on the floor by the fire and began to play softly and sweetly at first, then a more lively tune, and at last one that sets the feet itching, and makes its hearers long to dance. Now the Fiddler looked down at his fiddle as he played, and saw nothing but the notes of the tunes lie made, which seemed to him to trip out one after the other as he played them, so he noticed nothing till he heard iho patter of feet in time to his music, and a hearty laugh at his elbow. “Never have I enjoyed myself so much in my life,” went on the owner of the laugh. “If you’ve a store of tunes like that. Fiddler, you must play them through before cockcrow, if you’ve a mind to please the elfin folk.” “It won’t do me any harm to oblige you.” replied the Fiddler, good-hum-ouredly, looking at the speaker, and seeing he was no higher than Ills knee, and that there was a twinkle in the merry eyes that looked out of the lean brown face, “though when I’ve finished I’d like you to tell me the way to Playmerry Meadow, and out of It, for I’ve wandered a good way from the highroad since morning, and haven’t yet found the way to get back.” “One thing at a time,” said the little man, “and first I’ve a mind to dance to that tune of yours again,” and he twirled his leg around, and hopped

"PUSS IN THE OPEN” We know all about “Puss in the- Corner.” How about Puss in the open? To play this game “Puss” is in the corner and tries to get into the open—a space marked round in chalk in the middle of the playground or room. All the other plaj*ers try to prevent “Puss” from reaching this spot, and when she does break through, the one who lets her pass has to be puss. HOW LONG? “What do you mean by an eight-day clock, daddy?” asked Mabei. “One that will run eight days without winding, my dear.” “Then how long would it run if you wound it, daddy?”

J about as if ho had been used *o cm j ting capers all his lift-. Then the Fiddler began to play &gai: j his liveliest pieces, and very soon the i room was filled with elfin folk in greet i jerkins and hose, who leapt and pranced to the lishtsorue measures, an. | laughed and shouted till the great hall i rang with the echoes. | “A merry crew,” thought the Fiddle as ho played on. “but ’tis to be- hoped , when they have finished they do not I leave mo here, for though this is a i good resting place at night it's th«* i green fields I'd rather have under nu ; feet in the morning.” | Then one dancer brought him • golden hunting horn filled to the brim i and the Fiddler drank from it. for h* j had touched nothing since dawn. A: lie did so he heard faintly the lmrsh crj of a cock. A dozen elves seized him T by the shoulder its he sat, others | pushed him to liis feet. | “Up you go.” cried a hundred voice*. : and their pointed toes dug into th** ; small of his back, "and a safe landing.’* The Fiddler feit tho ground leaving • his feet* so he shut liis eyes and J wished, and it seemed as it' ho fell inti? ! the deepest, sweetest sleep he had i over known. By ami by somethin i tickled him. and he opened his eyes U* ; find a wisp of straw floating from thj hedge above his nose, and getting In j his way. He stood up. stared a littl* | and found himself in Pliiymerrv Meadow. Close at hand was a narrow gate. As the Fiddler moved. J something rolled from his feet. j stared still more as he picked it up. It • was the hunting horn of pure gold that j had been given him in the elfin hall. } "A poor man had best hide such a i treasure away.'* he said to himself, “but j tis good payment for a night's play ing.” j Then he went through tho gate, ano over the common, playing for copperoutside the cottages, and watching th children dance, till his journey nga took him to places farther afield whetv ho was not known, and where the sights and sounds gave him more pleasure because they were new to him. One day he was resting outside a city, when he was nearly deafened b shouting at no very great distant “Someone’s hurt or in trouble.” though? tho Fiddler, and off he went At one*'' But at the foot of a high hill he found only a number of city folk dressed in their best who were ervihe one name as loudly as they could, and in poor chorus. “What are you saving ?” asked the Fiddler, nudging tre man nearest to him. “Baldabadaran,” su.id the' man. paut ing for a moment to answer him. It's a long name,” said the Fiddle: “It's tho only one that will wsken him,” replied the man. ! ‘ I'm a stranger,” said the Fiddle: j “and can’t tell who needs waking u:» ; in such a fashion.” “Well, it’s tho Wizard,’* Mplaln#d , the man. ' “He went to sleep ( month ago and forgot to giVe tho King [ The magic word that would make him the happiest and best liked of rulers | His Majesty is very much upset aborr i it, and cannot rest, so we are doing all ' wo can to waken the Wizard, who is I the soundest sleeper on his hill ton : that anyone ever kne-w.” Then Le. joined his voice to those of the othe: - ! who shouted, till he shouted himself hoarse. Th© Fiddler tucked hie fiddle unde, his arm ami put his hands to fcis earr- | “This noise will deafen me.” ho said. I but nobody heard him. Then he thought of his elfin lioir-. 1 ami it seemed to him the time h&fi | come to us© it. Ho pushed liis way among the i crowd. “Good folks,” he cried, ‘Tier© is ar. ' other noise to add to your own, and ! perhaps it may serve us better.” For a moment they ceased shoutlr-i-, to stare at him and, putting the golden | horn to his lips, he blew a loud piero- ■ ing blast. Almost immediately the i Wizard's voice rolled in answer don n ’ th© hillside. i “Halloa! Halloa!” he cried, i The Fiddler saw him ns 1 o steppe ! out of his cavern, a tall figure in a • black gown covered with blue moans } and silver stars. ! “You forgot to give the King thI magic word,” said th© Fiddler, “that ; would make him the best and happiest | of rulers, and he can’t sleep for worry ; ing about it.” j “So I did, so I did.*’ said the. Wizard ! sleepily, coming a littl© closer so tha» 1 liis voice could bo heard. “Is that his j Majesty behind?” I “It is,” replied 111© King, who had ! ridden up on a white horec. “Now* give ' me the magic word." “It’s *fc3mile,* ** replied the Wizard, yawning. “Now please remember it and leave me in peace.” h?o the King smiled, and his peopl«* smiled too, because they could not help it, and thought what a fino ruler they had. for they felt very happy. Then the King had the Fiddler fetched to his side, and ho offered to buy the golden horn from him. for ns Thought it might be useful if he over wanted to wake the Wizard again, but . when the Fiddler felt for it !n hi* ! pocket he found only a handful of dry j leaves. | “ ’Twas an elfin horn, your Majesty,*' i said tho poor Fiddler, looking abashed. ; “Then no doubt, after having served. you well, it ha* gone back to those who j owned it,” smiled the King, and he J took th© Fiddler Into his and I made him Court Musician for life.