Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-07-26
THE SONG AND THE SINGER.
BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN.

It was during tie early DAYS of the
great Revolution Of 1889. when Young
officer in delicate health took up his quar-
ters in the cts of Harseilles for the si-.
months Of his leave Of absence 1t seem
ed strange retJrement for a young man, for
IN the town he kne9 no one. and in the
depth Of winter Marseillcs was no tempt
1 ing residence The officer lived In a gar-
ret looking out Jpon the street which had
for Its sole furniture a harpsichord. a bed.
a table, and .chajr. Little but papcr
ever entered that apartment. where food
and fuel both were scarce; and vet the
young man generally remained indoors
all day asslduoaslv writing. or rather dot
ting something up"l paper, an occupation
he altcrnatcd With music
Thus passed mauE months The Young
man grew thinner and paIer. and his leave
Of absence appeared likely to bring no
( |conyalcscence But he was Laudsomeand
interesting. despite lis sall0w hue Long
La.r, tull beam'ng .yes that spoke Of IN
7 teIlgence. and cyeh genius fraakuess Of
manner. all preD7esesscd III his favor. and
many smile ard look Of kindness came
to him from basutitul ewes that he noticed
not nor cared ta notice. In fact he rarcl,
went out but at night, and then to walk
down by the booming sea. which made a
KIND OF music hC seemed To love Some
times, II Is true, he would hang about the
theatre door when operas were about to
be played. and book with longing eve with
IN; bat he ueyer entered either his purse
or his inclination failed him But lie al
ways examined With care the name of the
piece and Its sJthfr, and then walked
away to the se3-sLorc. to muse and mcdi-
tate.
Shortly after his arrival in Narseillcs.
he visited. one after another. all the mus
ic-scllcrs and Publishers in the town. with
bundle cf maaus6ripts In his hand but
hls reception was apparently not very IA
vorablc for lie left fhem all with frown-
ing air, and still with his bundle Of manu-
scripts Some LAG detained him long
time rs if cst.uatiug the value of tie
goods he offered toe sale, bat these we're
no more tempted than the others to try
the saleabIe character of the c5mmodit-
The house he lodge3 In had attached to It
a large garden. BY permission of the
landlord, the young mau often selected it
for his evening Wa.!kS. and despite the
cold would sometimes sit and muse IL a
rude and faded bower under wall at one
of the gables Here he would OCCASION
ally even sing. in a low tone. some Of his
own compositions 1t happened once
or twice that sgLca Ec did 50. a felua ,c
head pr0trudci fI0m a window above
him, seeming t. listen. The young man
at length motto Il this
Pardon, LADY said lie. one evening
pcrhaQs | disturb you
Not at all, she replied = ] am fond
of music, very fond. and the air@ YOU hum
are new to me Pray If not q rude qucs-
ton. whose are @hev -
Cheyenne he answered. JitfdanJlv,
they are my own"
Indeed r' cried the lady. with anima-
ton; and you have never published
them }7
/ shall never try-a@qiH." he MUIR
INJURED, uttcrInS the last word In q low and
despairlng tone which. however. reached
the ears of the rounc woman.
Good ulgl5- cltaven." said she. and
she closed her window. The composer
sighed. rose AMI wcat out to take his usual
walk by the sea beach there. before the
grandeur and >ubIiytitv of the ocean. and
amid the murmIr O.: its believing waves.
10 forget the cares of the world his pow
crty, and his crashed visions of glory and
renown-the day dream of all superior
minds-a dream far ottener a punishment
than reward for Of those who sigh for
fame, few indeed are successful
Scarcely had lie left the house, than 4
lady, habited Isl cloak and hood, entered
it and after somewhat heightened con
ference with his concierge. ascended to lis
room, and remained there about an hour,
At the end Of. that time she vanished -
1t was midnight when the composer re
turned He entered with difficulty, the
/ Cerbcrus of the lodge being asleep. and
\ aseended to his wretched room. lie had
il Uttered and dirty. without light. fire, ur
food To his SURPRISE. a cheerful blaze
sent its rays heutacL tie door. He open
ed lt. not without alarm. and found hi-