Eleanor H. Porter published the children's book Just David in 1916. Ten-year-old violinist David is unnamed and has no idea what his last name is. He and his father have a happy life in the highlands until his father develops a serious illness. The father gives David a substantial sum of gold money just before he passes away and instructs him to keep them hidden until they are required. Two former childhood sweethearts who had drifted apart were wed by David, whose purity and singing talent charmed the villagers and transformed the lives of numerous of them. He also makes a difference in the Holly family, helping Simeon to mend his broken heart and enable his son to visit with his new wife and child.
They discover throughout the visit how expensive David's violins are. His father had a Stradivarius and an Amati, which he had lent to a blind acquaintance. When John reads David's father's old letter, he recognizes the signature and learns that the man was a well-known musician who had vanished with his son following the death of his wife. David is assigned to reconnect with his family and take violin lessons. He becomes well-known and affluent, but he still comes to the Hollys every year to perform for them.