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Very good condition lavender textured cloth boards with embossed front cover decorations and oval front cover color paste-down illustration and very bright gilt spine and front cover lettering. Includes a full color painted frontispiece plate with a fine tissue guard overlay and two additional color illustrated plates. Except for a 4 inch closed tear at the lower edge of the half title page all pages are in fine condition. "Unexpectedly funny . who knowe that John Phillips Sousa was an author? A violin virtuoso makes a deal with the Prince of Darkness for an instrument with a mysterious 5th string. Will he win his beloved's heart? What will happen if the 5th string is touched." - excerpt from revie by Meghan at Goodreads dot com. "Days passed, weeks crept slowly on; still he [Diotti] worked, but always with the same result. One day, feverish and excited, he played on in monotone almost listless. His tired, over-wrought brain denied a further thought. His arm and fingers refused response to his will. With an uncontrollable outburst of grief and anger he dashed the violin to the floor, where it lay a hopeless wreck. Extending his arms he cried, in the agony of despair: "It is of no use! If the God of heaven will not aid me, I ask the prince of darkness to come." A tall rather spare, but well-made and handsome man appeared at the door of the hut. His manner was that of one evidently conversant with the usages of good society. "I beg pardon," said the musician, surprised and visibly nettled at the intrusion, and then with forced politeness he asked: "With whom am I indebted for this unexpected visit?" "Allow me," said the stranger taking a card from his case and handing it to the musician, who read: "Satan," and, in the lower left-hand corner, "Prince of Darkness." "I am the Prince," said the stranger, bowing low. There was no hint of the pavement-made ruler in the information he gave, but rather of the desire of one gentleman to set another right at the beginning. The musician assumed a position of open-mouthed wonder, gazing steadily at the visitor. "Satan?" he whispered hoarsely. "You need help and advice," said the visitor, his voice sounding like that of a disciple of the healing art, and implying that he had thoroughly diagnosed the case. "No, no," cried the shuddering violinist; "go away. I do not need you." " I regret I can not accept that statement as gospel truth," said Satan, sarcastically, "for if ever a man needed help, you are that man." "But not from you," replied Diotti. "That statement is discredited also by your outburst of a few moments ago when you called upon me." "I do not need you," reiterated the musician. "I will have none of you!" and he waved his arm toward the door, as if he desired the interview to end. "I came at your behest, actuated entirely by kindness of heart," said Satan. Diotti laughed derisively, and Satan, showing just the slightest feeling at Diotti's behaviour, said reprovingly: "If you will listen a moment, and not be so rude to an utter stranger, we may reach some conclusion to your benefit." "Get thee behind --" "I know exactly what you were about to say. Have no fears on that score. I have no demands to make and no impossible compacts to insist upon." "I have heard of you before," knowingly spoke the violinist, nodding his head sadly. "No doubt you have," smilingly. "My reputation, which has suffered at the hands of irresponsible people, is not of the best, and places me at times in awkward positions. But I am beginning to live it down." The stranger looked contrition itself. "To prove my sincerity I desire to help you win her love," emphasizing her. "How can you help me?" "Very easily. You have been wasting time, energy and health in a wild desire to play better. The trouble lies not with you." - excerpt from pages 35-39 of the text. Seller Inventory # 000333
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