Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-17

said 1 and with sweepof my pen OBJ.
liberated the solo. The FIRST Cornet bowed
humbly.
Where nothing is expected, nothing
viii be missed, said he but the eye fash
ed on me a naughty look of mysterious
power, which endeavored in vain to in
terpret. t
The composer stormed and threatened
to withdraw his opera. Butt knew my
man. He wished his work produced,
aud would have yielded more than so-
10 to gain his end. The directors expos
tulated, entreated. / kept my ground,
offering to resign my batoa. but insisting
on the omission Of the solo. / carried INV
point.
The eYentful night of the new opera
came. Through the first part Of the over.
ture the cornet plodded along In dun
disheartened manner, that satisfied me
perfectly. But the eye began to awake
and brighten, rs had never seen before.
There was evidently coming Joy in its
path-a joy fully understood by the OK.
pectant and motionless head.
We approached that part Of the over
ture from which had expunged tho
Cornet solO-wc reached it. There was
pause in the music. Just where the solo
should have commenced, Cornet took up
the overture, Whence the sound came,
and who was the player, are mysteries to
me even now. The music seemed TO
proceed from no fixed point, the air
all around was full of ii, Horri6ed at the
prodigy, l sat trans6xcd and powerless.
my baton hanging motionless in my palsied
hand. had strength enough to half turn
towards the orchestra. The players were
gazing at me apparently astonishcd. The
First Cornct himself was wrapped in un-
fcigned wonder. He sat with his instru.
mSnt to his lips, as if waiting for my sign
to begin his part, while his sound eve
wandered from me to his music book, ana
back again, with an expression Of total
bewilderment. Butt / caught the fearful
eye, looking as calm, Indifferent and un-
surprised, as the majestic marble Of tho
Capitolian Jove. l made an effort, but
motion WAS impossible Tho Second Vic.
lin pushed me with his bow; every faculty
but hearing seemed torbid-I could not
move,
A species Of morbid curiosity turned my
face toward my enemy. His sound eye
was intently fixed upon the music, but oh,
horror the great clearing monster was
deyouring me, gloRting over me, swelling
with unutterable pride and glory oyermy
agonies, My brain was whirling around,
without a thought in it--a stone could
not have been more utterly void of sensa-
ton. When reached the Green Room
became more collected. Tho FIRST thing
that met me was the Internal eye, probing
me to the very heart turned upon the
First Comet furiously.
What do you mean by this trick, sir
you and that villanous Englishman p
! The First Cornet would have looked
astonished, had not his hideous eye winked
Significantly.
You know that principle Of acoustics
every school boy knows it. We al.
ways appear TO hear a sound from tho
quarter whence we expect IL. You have
juggled me--juggled me, sir certainly
did not know what said, for my words
had no reference TO the matter which had
well nigh crazod me.
know nothing of acoustics, Signor.
/ am at a loss TO understand your mean.
ing said he softly.
Liar liar = shouted l.
The First Cornet bounded up like man
possessed. lie lad the feelings Of gen.
tleman, doubtless. With his clcnched
hand he hit me full in the mouth.
know not how 1t was, but since my
hatred TO the First Cornet had carried
a stilletto about me. At this moment,
while my blood was leaping frs-while
every Sinew ofmy frame was tense with
passion--while my mind was possessed
with one idea of instant vengeancc--thO
cunning wrapon cTawlcd into my very
hand.
Iglanced at the First Cornct. He stood
upon the defensive, his thin nostrils
throbbing with anger, his sound eye filI
led with lofty defiance, but the sightlesl
horror was actually going TO sleep-calm-
ly doEing away in the most insulting secu-
rity. Stone blind with rage dashed on
my enemy, driving my sElletto straight
at his 6endish eye. heard n cry from
the spectatOrs--a warm stream sPOuted
up my sleeve-my fingers were sticky
with gore, as Clutched at the empty air
for support staggered and fell 70 the
floor.
When / awoke / was lying in the hos.
pital Of prison. Beside me sat the Sc.
cond Violin, humming low air. fixed
my eyes upon him, but II was some min.
utes before could speak.
Where am 2
Ny companion started and looked al
me pityingly, giving no answer.
When my thoughts took form / spoke.
! i have been iH%
Very ILL.,
THE First Cornet9'-L remember gay.
ing this with great ealmness.
is perfectly well. 1t was only a
scratch on the cheek, or you might-2
He could not continue his senteuge.