The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-04-10
Translated from the Danish by Chas Beck,ufh
AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF on +

BY H. C. ANDERSON
Behind the Alps is the world of adventures
and such one as only happens to genius, toos
place IN Bologna, in the year 1884.
The poor Norman, Ole Bull, whom at tha.
time no one knew, had wandered thus far south
ward In his fatherand some persons Certainly
thought that there was something in him but
the most part, as is generally the case predicted
that there would be nothing in Ole Bull He
himself felt that he must go out into the world in
order to cherish the spark into flame, or else IN
quench it entirely. Every thing at first seemed
as II the latter would be the case. He had arriy
ed at Bologna, but his money was expended. ana
there was no place where there was a prospect
OF obtaining any-no frend-no countrymaD
stretched forth helping hand towards him-he
sat alone IN poor attic in one OF the small
streets. TWAS already the second day that he
had been here, and had scarcely tasted food the
Watering and the violin were the only two thinqs
that cherished the young and suffering artist. He
began 10 doubt II he were IN possession of that
gilt with which God had endowed him. and il
his dependency breathed into the violin those
tones which now seize our heaats in so Wonderful
manner; those tones which tell us how deenlv
he had suffered and felt
The same evening great concert was to he
given in the principal theatre. The house wae
hlled to overlooking; the Grand Duke of Tusca
ny was In the royal box; Madame Malibran and
MONS oe berlot were TO lend their able assis
lance in the performance OF several pieces Tba
concert was to commence but matters look cd in.
auspicious-the managers star was not in the
ascendant-M de Beriot had taken umbrape. ana
refused to play. All was trouble and ,o6fnsion
on the stage; when in this dilemma the wife NJ
hosslni the composer entered, and in the midst of
the managers distress related, that on the Dre.
Vious evening, as she passed through one of the
narrow streets, she had suddenly stopped on
ncr 10 cfp r..
certainly resembled those OF violin. bnt vat
seemed TO be different. She had asked The lana
lord OF the house who il was that lived in the .,
tic whence the sounds proceeded and he had re-
phed that II was young man from the North nj
Europe, and that the instrument he nlavod ~,
was certainly Tyre, but she felt assured that -
could not he so; il must either be a new SORT ~
instrument, or an artist who knew how TO treat
his instrument in an unusual manner A. H.
same time she said that they ought to send fer
him, and he might perhaps supply the nlace #
M de Beriot by playing the pieces that must 9th.
erwise be deficient in the evenings entertain
ment.
This advice was acted upon, and messenrer
was dispatched to the street where Ole Bull Sat
in his attic To him it was a message from bea
ven "now or never" thought he and thopch
i'll and exhausted he took his violin under his arm,
and accompanied the messenger TO the theatre
Two minutes after his arrival the manager in.
formed the assembled audience that younr
Norwegian ,-consequent ga young savage,"-
would give specimen OF his skill on the violin
instead of M. de Berot
Ole Bull appeared; the theatre was brilliantly
Illuminated; he perceived the scrutinzing looks
OF the ladies nearest TO him one OF them who
watched him very closely through her opera
glass, smilingly whispered to her neighbor, with
knocking mien, about the ditiident maners Of
the artist. He looked at his clothes, and in the
strong blaze OF light they appeared rather the
worse for wear. The lady made her remarks
about them, and her smile pierced his very
heart. He had token no notes with him which
he could give the orchestra; he was consequent
ly obliged TO play without accompaniment, but
what should he play
81 will give them these fantasies which at
this moment cross my mindp and he played i'm
PROVISIONAL membranes CT his own lie, melo-
dies from the mountains of his home, his srug-
giles with the world, and the troubles of his mind;
1t was as II every thought, every feeling passed
through his violin, and revealed itself TO the au-
dience. The most astounding accamations re-
sounded throughout the house. Ole Bull was
called forth again and again; they still desired
new piece, new improvisation. He then adj
dressed himself to that lady, whose hooking
smile had met him on his appearance, and asked
her for theme, to vary. She gave him one
ftom "Norma." He then asked two other Ia.
dies, who chose one from "Othello." and one