FOOTLOOSE FIDDLER

elling stone reminiscences as Harry Miller tells of running away from home in 10, making his way as a salesman of human hair goods in the tight New England territory, where success gave him courage to indulge his wanderlust, knowing he would never starve. ting his way South, he worked, gambled, took anything that came along, even to selling patterns to brothels. His fiddle playing earned him money too -- and he was inspired to collect an orchestra and tour Texas. We later managed an opera company in Me, and following that an all-girl minstrel show whose performers found many a Mexican to take as interest in them. Later a job with a dancing teacher, who was a rancher on the side, and meeting the man's daughter, Laura, who provided the sole semblance of stability in his life. There was work on the teacher's ranch, then a long-deferred return home, broke, filthy, but very welcome. But not for long -- he was soon ready to start on his travels again -- with Laura a spur.... Ingenuity, enterprise, this has a come-what-may appeal, engaging .