The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-09-27
| walked before the house to hear her.
'And YOU have never heard any other mu-
c;c -

walked before the house to hear her.
And YOU have never heard any other mu-
sic? y
Never, except the music in the street.
She seemed frightened: so Beeth,vcn did
not add another word, but quietly seated him
self at the instrument. and commenced to
play. lie had not touched many notes when
| guessed what would follow: and how sub
lime he wOnld be that evening: ard | was
not deceived. Never, never, during the ma
ny years knew him. did hear hm plav as
on this day for the young blind girl aud her
brother. Never did hear such en,rgv, such
passionate tenderness, such sradations of mel
otly and modulation. From the moment his
fingers commenced to move over the piano.
the tones OF the instrument seemed to softer
an! become more equal
We remained sitting li'ch'h" - him
-, -sother and sister We.
,""" ~ VII" aS'onisiment, As # paral,z zpd-
i"e 'or''er nan iaId aside his work; the lat
TER her head slightly inclined had approach
cd the instrument, her two hands were CLASH.
ed on her breast as if she feared .he b.atiny
OF her heart might intcrru,t those accent,
OF magic sweetness l. >oe,n,., ~ if ,re wer..
the subjects of 4 strange dream and our on. :,
fear was TO wake too soon.
! Suddenly the flame of the solitary candle
illckered, the wick, consumed to the end. fell.
and was extinguished Beethoven s.opped :
| opened the shutters to let in the ravS OF the
moon. 1t became almost as Echt a. before
in the room, and the radiance .ell more
strongly on the musician and the instrument.
! but this incident seemed TO have broken
the cham OF BccthovtnS IDEAS His head
, dropped on Ills breast. his hands rested on his
knees, and he appeared plunged INTO a pro-
found mcdtation
lie remained 80 fer sometime. M last the
Young shoemaker rose. approached him, ard
sa'd' IN low, respectful voice, 'Wondyrful
man. who a:e YOU then -
HIM ab>tractrdv. as if he had not compre-
henhcd the meaning of his words
Ihe !onnS man repeated the question.
The composer smiled As on!, he could
smile, such sweetness and kin"v henevo-
lcnce
Listen, said he. And he PLAYED the Fl, st
movement in the F symphony.
cry of JOY e> 'aped from the lips of the
hro'her and sister They recognized him.
and cried with emotion, You are then Bee
thovcn.'
lie rose TO 90. hut our cntrcat;cs succeed
ed ~ OBTAINING him
'lav to Us once more. ms onrc more
He allowed himself to b,. led TO the in
Strument. The brilliant liuht Of the moon
entered the curtainle~s window. and Ii lhte ,
up his expansive earnest forehead
i am GONG to imIrovi>r a >oun'a TO the
moonlight. sad he. p!2yfs!Iv. He contcm-
plated for Some minutes the skv s,rinklc,l
with stars then his fingers rested on the NJ
ano. and he commenced TO play in a low. sad
tut wondrou>l v sweet .tran. The harmony
issued from III" i';.'ruNcnt. sweet and even
as ~" rays of ~" moon Snrcad over The
>hadowS on ~" r~pur1 THO d..
llcion~ overture was followed Nv piece in
intermediate hurit>quc like dance of far
les ~ midnight ON The grass. Then came A
rapid og'tnlo D0'c-a hrca,h!css movement.
trembling. hurrvin1. describing flight and
uncertainty. inspiring varur and i,l>tinrtive
terror. which bo e us onward on lis slu der
inc wings. and lett us at ll>t quite artaicl
with surprise and moved to tears.
'Adieu, said Beethoven. abruptly pushing
back his chair and advan ing towards the
door 'Adieu
lou will come again . asked both at the
same time
He stopped and REGARDED the vours bind
H'rl with IN air of compassion
Yes. YES. SAID he. hnrrirdly. Il wi, come
a"aln and GIVE some lessons to Malcmoi>clic
F'~"well. | will soon come ANN
They followed us to the door in silence
more expressive than words. and remained
standing on the threshold till we were out of
sight.
Let US hasten home. said Beethoven to me
IN the street. Let us hasten, that Imav note
down tins SonN'n while it is in NV memory
He entered his room, and wrote till nearly
dav vhrrak.
still sa. in listening attitude after the
old musician had finished sro ,kinr.
Mud did Beethoven GIVE lessons after
wards to the blind GIRL y asked at length.
lie smiled and shook his head
beethoven never entere! that humble
house again. With the excitement of the
moment his interest in the blind cir also
passed away; and though the brother AID
sister long and patiently waited his coming.
he thought no more of them
And is it not too often so in life :?