The Maker On the Mountain

By Kirk McLendon

This is the story of two troubled violin makers from different centuries and continents whose lives become intertwined and who both receive a miraculous gift.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483505862

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The Maker On The Mountain

Chapter 1: The Old Maker

The spire of the church cast a long afternoon shadow across the town square. If the old man moved one step to his right or to his left, he was immersed in golden Italian sunlight. But if he stayed put, he was engulfed by the cold, purplish shadow of the spire. Much, he thought, like living in the long shadow of the great Stradivari. What an age to be a luthier! How could anyone compete with the famous one? Giuseppe had been struggling with this frustration for many, many years. Even after his own death, Stradivari’s shadow seemed to loom over all the violin trade.

Two old men sat talking on a bench on a narrow cobble stone street just off the town square. One, a priest with a wide girth and a jolly face, leaned with the affection of a brother on a rather gaunt, somber man wearing a worn and soiled shop apron. The priest, Father Bartolomeo to be precise, held a rather delicate violin in his large chubby hands which the two men were discussing. Their conversation was, of course, in Italian. My Italian being passable, I will translate for you as follows.

But this is very, very good work my friend, chimed the melodic priest, the artistry and craftsmanship are undeniable. Praise the Lord for your gifts.

Pah! spat the morose violin maker, "Good work is out of fashion and seemingly of little value these days Father. Today people want nothing more than the prestige of a famous name on a label. If I could put the name Stradivari on the label, I could take this very violin to Orchestra Hall right now and sell it for a good price. You know what I say is true! But with my name inside, this violin is just so much wood and glue. I will hang it next to my others in the shop and let it grow old with me."

Nonsense Giuseppe, argued the good Father holding the violin so as to view it from its side, just look at the exquisite arching and the fine edge work. Even a priest such as myself can see it. Friend, you have remarkable skills. The Good Lord has been extremely generous with His gifts to you. Work hard and be patient. Your success will come.

"Father Bartolomeo, please! How much time and patience does a man have? When I took this shop over from my father years ago, it was a successful business with good sales. Since it has been under my control, it has been nothing but a failure. The better my violins turn out, the fewer I sell. What are the Good Lord’s gifts worth if I can’t provide for my