The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-08-23

closed in, to reach Vienna, from which the
village ol Baden 10 only ten leagues distant.
He had walked vigorously, but night ap-
preached, and he felt his strength falling
him. He knocked at the door; young girl
opened il, asking him what he wanted
Tho old man, who guessed her question
from the movement Of her lips, replied,
"Flospi.ality, my good girl" "Come in
then, there 10 always welcome at my
fathers hearth for the benighted traveller"
Thus cordially invited, no entered large
room, where the frugal evening rspast was
smoking upon a hon,ely table. A cover
was quickly laid for him near the father Of
tho family, aud he sat down at table with
the friendly household group. Alter sup
per, he seated himself ia IN old lcsthern
arm chair BY the chimney corner: cheor
ful fire blazed upon tho hearth. Tho moth
or and daughter cleared the table, whilst
the father oponed an old harpsichord, and
the three sons took down their Instruments
which hung against the wall. They con-
sisted Of o. alto, q vio!incello, and hautboy.
The performers attuned their instru-
men,s; tho mother and daughter seated
themselves with their work near the fire,
whore single lamp afforded tho needfui
light. The father gave the signal, and tho
four musicians began a piece with that
ensemble, with that knowledge Of measure
which the Germans possess beyond all 9th
er nations. By degrees their Dyes kindlcd,
divers emotions were depicted on their
countenances; they abandoned themselves
10 the ardor Of the sentiment with which
they were transported. Tho two women
listened whilst they almost held in their
brea,hs. Their work fell from their hands,
The music ccascd-thcy exchanged looks
Of dclight-the Young girl kissed her faith.
er's gray hairs with emo,ion-they forgot
the presence Of their guest. lie had follow
ed all their movements with longing eye;
for his deafness prevented his hearing a
single note of the music which had 90 deeply
affected them.
'Oh how happy you arc," he said with n
Gltering voice, ''to be able TO enjoy this
delicious pleasure! Alas! it il long since
have been able To hear either the human
voice, mr. music which is the voico of God !.
When go out 10 mediate in the forest,
feel indeed the wind which blows around
me, but hear not its mighty voice, while
il shakes the trees, or murmers among the
leaves, mingling with the general harmony
Of nature. When | return from my walk
ut tho close OF a fine summers day, cnn
indeed see the young shcpherdcss ns she
leads her flock 10 be watered al the C.un-
tain, but Cannot hear either her Joyous
song or the tingling sound oi.ho sheep-bells.
lean see the lark fly swiftly to the valley
where her nest lies hidden, bu, ] hear not
her melodous voice mingling with the
whisper oil the brcezo. OH, music! harmo.
ny ! il is my life; but, alas! its FOCAL ex-
preston is lost To me forever. Let me,
pray you, read the pages which have so
deeply stirred YOU" lie rose, took the
sheet in his hand, sudden paleness over
spread his features, he sunk upon his seat
overwhelmed with emotion.
Ho had jus, read upon the cover "Allc-
cretto, from the Pastoral Symphony Of
Beethoven" All gathered around him,
and inquired the cause oi his ngitation.-
When he wss able at length 10 Command
his voice. he arose from his sent aud said,
II am BeefAorcn!" At the sound Of this
nnmc the father lifted his woolen cap from
his head, and the sons bowed with the deep.
est reverence. Beethoven pressed their
hands in his, and wept or joy. The good
peasants kissed these venersted hands; for
this man they Eel. WINS the genius who had
lightened for them the daily burden of life
the genius 30 honored in Vienna that
when he took his daily walk the passers-by
exclaimed, "There in Beethoven" and
silently made way for him, lest they should
interrupt his mediintions. The peasants
looked with unwearied delight on that
marble brow, where griet had indeed
stamped its fatal marks, bu. which still was
encircled with the halo Of genius.
Beethoven then seated himself ut the
harpsichord, and desiring the yo,ng people
to take up their instruments, he played for
them his own symphony. Il was mo-
ment Of unspeskabIe happiness.
When they had finished, Beethoven
imprOvised sublime includes: his spirit,
breaking through the bonds which enchsin.
Cd him TO earth, seemed TO rise triumphant
~ towards heaven.
The poor harpsichord under his hand gave
forth unwonted sonnds-s0mctimcs males.
tic as tho Voice Of thunder, soms,imes mys-
terious ~ the signs Of the dying.
Alas! il was the song Of tho swan! A
part Of the night thus glided on. The bed
usually occupied bv The father OF the family
was prepared for Beethoven, and he was
constrained 10 accept il.
During The night no became feverish,
and to cool his burning brow be arose and
went out into tho open mir too slightly clad.
Tho air was bitterly cold tho wind groaned
in the branches Of the trees. and penelrA.