The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-05-23
Two Worlds.

MUsrc rs. DEATH.-Strauss was a
man of remarkable genius, and not
only developed the powers of the Ger
man dance, in an unprecedented de-
gree, = 1t influenced the whole of mod
en music. Composers of no mean note,
although not of the first class. were
known to visit Vienna, to get themes
for new operas from Strauss's new
waltZes. His decease reminds us of a
capital story which appeared in some
German paper, shortly after the cholera
of '32. We heard il from clever
Viennese musician, and wish that we
could give it with the spirit of his side
splitting recital. Here it is, as we re-
member it:
When the cholera was at IFS height,
Death knocked one morning on the
panel of Strauss's 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 youm exclaimed the terrified
musician, "no, | can't won't. am
only thirty years of age. Spare me
little longerm
No, Strauss, You must come. don't
keep me waiting: have an immensely
to do these stirring times
"Oh can't go; | am making thirty
thousand thalers year You can't be
so hard-hearted as TO take away from
Vienna a man only thirty years old,
with thirty thousand .ihalers a year"
None of your nonsense. Hard
hearted Don't you see through my
ribs that have no heart at all Come
along. Strauss, come alongg
"But consider, Death. what the En-
peror will think of you, and how the
whole court will vote you bore, if they
get no new wal,zes next winter
:" "PshaM-. for your emperor! I'll take
him off if he says much. should like
10 see them put Death out of fashion,
Well, since | must go, let me play
one more waltz before / leave my dar-
ing Instrument" pleaded the poor
trembler.
$50 You may. bu. see that it is a
good one answered Death, cooking
his ear like a connoisseuF-
Strauss played the waltz, Death mark
ing the measure complacently; and
saving. when il was done, with pat
ronizing air, Pretty we'll" Siiauss,
You may play another
Strauss began in more spirited strain.
Death kept the time with hand and foot !;
the old woman kept time also: until
unable to resist the more than magical
impulse, he threw his arm about her,
and around and around spun Death and
the old woman. Strauss, playing for
the little remnant of his life, showed
no signs of WEAKNESS, but Death was
getting exhausted and giddy. "Stop,
Strauss stopw he cried; but Strauss
played ON. "Stop, | say, Strauss /" :
Strauss only put on a ereseendo. Strauss
Strauss can't stop myself unless you
stop-so stop, | say ~
aWill you release me clear, if | stopm
asked Strauss.
"Ican't-do-that,. says Death, pitt
ably gasping out his words.
.Thcn you shall waltz or" answered
Strauss, exultingil his power to create
soul under the ribs of Death. At
last Death, beaten out, says-still whirl-
ing like a dervish: " FIJI makc-a bar
acknowledgements
sWhat is ~ replied Strauss, play
ing vet more furiously.
1fou-shaIl live-for years longer
if you-will pay me-instead-of your
life-ihe lives of-fifty thousand other
pco-ple-each year~
Donew cried Strauss.
So. ever since, fifty thousand people
have each year killed themselves
dancing Strauss's waltzes.