Page:Granny's Wonderful Chair 1857.pdf/158

I will tell you a wonderful piece of news about that fiddle.’

“Merrymind was good-natured and fond of news, so he helped him to tie up the loose boards and sticks that composed his stall with an old rope, and when they were hoisted on his back like a fagot, the little man said—

“‘About that fiddle, my young master: it is certain the strings can never be mended, nor made new, except by threads from the night-spinners, which, if you get, it will be a good pennyworth;’ and up the hill he ran like a greyhound.

“Merrymind thought that was queer news, but being given to hope the best, he believed the little man was only jesting, and made haste to join the rest of the family, who were soon on their way home. When they got there every one showed his bargain, and Merrymind showed his fiddle; but his brothers and sisters laughed at him for buying such a thing when he had never learned to play. His sisters asked him what music he could bring out of broken strings; and his father said—

“‘Thou hast shown little prudence in laying out thy first penny, from which token I fear thou wilt never have many to lay out.’

“In short, everybody threw scorn on Merrymind’s bargain except his mother. She, good woman,