The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1856-11-07


he moment his fingers commenced to
move over .hs piano, the tones Of tho IN
trument seemed 70 soften and become
more equal
We remained sitting. listening 70 him
1reathlessly. The brother and sister
were dumb with astonishment, as Il par
llyEed. The former had laid aside his
work the latter, her head slightly in.
clined, had approached the in strument.
her two hands was clasped on her breast
as Il ste feared the beating Of her heart
might interrupt those accents Of magic
sweetness. Il seemed as if We were the
subject Of a strange dream and our only
Tear was too wake too soon.
Suddenly the flame Of the solitary can
die licked, the wick, consumed 70 the
end iell and was extinguished Bee
lh0ven stopped l opened the shutters
70 let IN the rays Of the moon. II became
almost as light in the room as before. and
the radiance fell more strongly on the
musician and the instrument.
But this incident seemed to have bro.
ken the chain Of Beethoven's ideas. His
head dropped on his breast, his hands
rested on his knees, and he appeared
plunged into a profound meditation.
He remained for some time. AT last
the young shoemaker rose, approached
him, aud, aud said in low, respectful
voice, Wonderful man, who are you
then %
Beethoven raised his head, and looked
at him abstractIy, as if he had not COM
pretended the meaning of his words.
The young man repeated the question.
The composer smiled as only he could
smile, such sweetness and kingIy benev-
olence.
Listen, said he. And he played the
first movement in tho +. symphony.
A cry of JOY escaped from his lips, the
brother and sister. They recognized him
and cried with emotion, e You are then
Beethoven"
He rose to go, but our entreaties sue
ceeded in OBTAINING him.
Play to us once more, Just once
more.
He allowed himself to be led to the in
strument The brilliant light Of the moon
entered the ourtainless window, and light
ened up his expansive, earnest forehead.
" am going to improve sonata to
the moonlight, said he, playfully. He
contemplated for some minutes the sky
sprinkled with stars then his fingers
rest on the piano, and he commenced TO
play in low, sad, but wonderously sweet
strain. The harmony issued from the
instrument, sweet aud evenss the rays
Of the moon spread over the shadows ON
the ground. The delicious overture was
followed by piece in triple time, lively,
| light, ospriciOus, a sort Of intermediate
burlesque, like dance Of fairies at mid
night on The grass. Then came a rapid
0gitato .Jfnaie--a breathless movement,
trembling. hurrying, describing fight
and uncertainty, inspiring vague and in
stinctive terror, which bore us onward on
its shuddeFing wings, and left US at last
quite agitated with surprise and moved
TO tears. q ~ g
=" Adieu." said Beethoven, abruptly
pushing back his chair and advancing to-
ward the door -Adiu
" You will come again % asked both
at the same time.
He stopped and regarded the young
| girl with an air Of compassion.
| eS' yes sara ne hurrledly,
will come again aud give some lessons TO
Mademoniselle. Farewell, l will soon
come again.
They followed us to the door in silence
more expressive than words, and remained
standing on the Ihreshhold till we were
out of sight.
" Letus hasten home. " said Beethoven
to me in the street, {" Let us hasten. that
| may note down This sonata while il is
in my memory. HuI./f ulsU
He entered his room, and wrote till
nearly day-break. " And did Beethoven
give lessons afterward to the blind girl?'.'
| asked at length. He smiled and shook
his bead, Although he was greatly won
by their kindness. he never again entered
their cottage. Time passed on and, the
young lady and shoemaker was forgot
ten. They had often sat waiting for him
70 return. But they were forgotten.
And dear reader, mind that you do
not gain the affections Of some Kind per
son, and then forget them.