The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-04-06
Music VS.. Death,

Strauss was a man of remarkable genius,
and not only developed the powers of the Ger
man dance, in an unprecedented degree, but
influenced the whole of modern music Com
posers of no mean note, although not of the first
class were known to visit Vienna,to get themes
for new operas from Strauss new waltzes.-
His decease reminds us of capital story which
appeared in some German paper, shortly after
the cholera of '22. We heard it from clever
Viannese musician, and wish that we could
give it with the spirit of his side-splitting re-
cital. Here it is, as we remember it:
When the cholera was at its height, Death
knocked one morning on the panel of Strauss IS
chamber, having an old woman by his side,
whom he picked up at the next door,
"Come, Strauss said the grim sheriff who
collects natures debts, you must go along
with me-"
"With you," exclaimed the terrified musi-
clan, "no, I can't won't / am only thirty
years ofage. Spare me little longer.
mo Strauss, you must come, don't keep
me waiting; have an immensity to do these
stirring times"
"Oh! can't go; I am making thirty thous-
and thalers year, You can't be so hard
hearted as to take away from Vienna a man
only thirty years old, with thirty thousand
thalers year,
"None of your nonsense. Hard-hearted
Don't yeu see through my ribs that have no
heart at all? Come along, Strauss come
along!"
"But consider, Death, what the Emperor
will think of you, and how the whole court
will vote you bore, ifthey get no new walt
ZVs next winter"
"Pshaw, for your emperor! I'll take him
off if he says much. l should like to see them
put death out of fashion.
"Well, then since must go, let me play one
more waltz before leave my darling instru-
ment," pleaded the poor trembler
$50 you may; but see that it is a good one
answered Death, cooking his like a con-
noissuer
Strauss played the waltz, Death marking
the measure complacently; and saying when it
was done, with patronizing air
"Pretty well, Straus, you may play an
other"
Strauss began in more spirited strain
Death kept the time with haud and foot; the
old woman kept time also: until, unable to re-
sist the more than magical impulse, he threw
his arm around her. and around and around
spun Death and the old woman. Strauss
playing for the little remnant of his life show
ed no signs of wairiness, but Death was get
ting exhausted and giddy.
"stop, Strauss! stop!" he cried. Strauss
played on. "StopsI say, Strauss only put on
a crescendo. "Strauss!" Strauss!'' can't
stop myself unless you stop-so stop l say p
"Will you release me clear, if | stop? ?' ask
ed Strauss
4 cant-do-that" says Death, pitiably
gasping out his words.
"Thenyou shall waltz on, answered Strauss
exulting in his power to create a soul under
the ribs of Death At last Death, beaten
out, says, still whirling like a dervish
"I'll make-a rgain-with-you
"What is it ?" replied Strauss, playing ye
more furiously.
"You-shall live-for years longer-if yor
will pay me-instead-of your life-tht
lives of--ffty thousand other-peo-ple-eact
year!"
"Done!" cried Strauss.
So, ever since, fifty thousand people have
each year killed themselves dancing Strauss
waltzes.