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

en- him nothing. Feeling twinge O
shame, I followed him out and put five
france piece into his listless hand. The
italian turned toward me dull, vacant
look, and made movement as if to re-
turn the money but then, with a groan
slid it stealthily into his pocket, looking
at his violin with a deprecating air.
'Siguor, he said Eve should not re-
ceiye this money. We saw you in there
pointing with shudder of disgust to,
ward the cabaret and your looks Of
sympathy, or what is better, of admira-
ton, were more than enough for us. II
is not every day, nor every year, that we
find one who understands us Here he
folded his instrument as fit felt his exul-
tation and deserved half his honors.
N'impOrte, you have more money than
you want, perhaps we have less than we
can live upon sometimes. Adieu.'
Stay-stay,' said l.
He turned toward me haughtily. No
we have spoken more to you to-day than
all mankind has heard from us for years
before He turned from me again.
followed him. He turned and con-
fronted me, threateningly.
Before you co. said l mildly, 'an-
swer me few questions. They shall
neither be impertinent nor intrusive. |
take an unusual interest in you, and
would aid you if you will permit it.
He raised MS violin toward me as if to
question me.
Can you restore rank, wealth, respect,
happiness? No! Pass on, then; you are
but mortal, and we seek no human aid
which we do not earn-earn honestly.
giving more than we receive He said
this with proud energy, patting his Gre
mona triumphantly.
1 began to doubt the mans sanity.
There was certainly something unusual
in the manner with which he treated a
dead thing of wood and catgut.
'Who do you mean by are !"
He looked hurt and astonished at the
question.
My violin and its player, of course
A monomaniac, thought L but he may
be rational on other points.
is your skill a natural gift, self-culti-
vated, or have you studied under mas
ter?'
I'VE studied under a master-a great
master!'
will you be good enough to forget
your violin, and speak to me in the singu-
lar number?'
Will you forget your father, mother,
brothers, sisters, wife, children and
friends We are all these to each other, F"
said the musician, embracing the instru-
ment as if he held whole family in his
arms.
Well, well pardon me-
Nay, Siguor, have foolish habit
perhaps it is foolish, said he doubtfully-
'of talking to my violin as to human
being. My reasons for addressing it thus
are good l speak to nothing else. |
know not why | stand conversing with
you. You have been kind to us-me, to
be sure, but
A great round tear slid slowly down
his cheek.
Why continued he, with Shrek. OF
surprise, 1 am actually weeping
Then there was low whispering be-
tween him and the violin, in which !
heard him say, in tone of humble en-
treaty: BE not Jealous, after to day
will be all thine
l confess that 1 began to feel embar-
rassed in this strange company. L glanc-
ed nervously at the violin, sharing to no
small degree the feelings of its owner.
With an effort resumed
who is your master?'
'The FIRST Cornet! screamed he, with
a look of terror towards his instrument,
as if he had betrayed it to destruction.
The First Cornet ! he repeated ; and the
words seemed to tear him like exercised
devils The FIRST Cornet! !
He appeared to take morbid delight
in torturing himself with these three mys-
terious words. After they had died
away, with receding mutters, into his in
most being he was calmer; like a man
who had done terrible penance, and
allayed his conscience for the time.
You look curious-you wish to know
more? Many have Judged the acts ofmy life
none the motives. Sit down l will tell
We were in the ChaDPs-Elysee. He
led the way to seat, covered his violin
tenderly with tattered handkerchief,
and began the following extraordinary
tale:
THE MUSICIANS STORY.
You think that have seen more pros
porous days.-You are right. You think
that 1 have been happier. You are
wrong, More physical comforts have
certainly had around me but cannot
say that was really happier in my pros
perity that 1 am in my adversely. Nay
l cannot even say that was happier be-
fore the commission of the crime which
made me what 1 am, than was after !
had felt its worst consequences. With
me the tortures of unsatisfed passion
have been harder to bear than the re-
proaches of conscience. Happiness and
unhappiness are of the disposition mol
can the momentary tickling Of PamPer'