The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-09-27
BEETHOVEN AND THE BLIND GIRL

!Tnanl.
BEETHOVEN AND THE BLIND GIRL.
Some months ago was at Bonn, the birth
place OF Beethoven. ! met there an old mu-
S"lan. who had known the illn>trious compo-
ser Intimately ; and from him received th..
following anccdote:
You know, said he. that Beethoven was
horn IN a house in the Hheln S,rassc (Rhne
Strcet): but AT the time became acquainted
with hun ne lodged over a humble little
shop in RomcrrIa,z He was then very poor
SO poor that he on Y went out to walk at
night, because of the diapidated state Of his
ciothIng. Nevertheless. h" had a piano pens,
paper. INK and books .: and notwithstanding
his prva'lons. he passed some happy moments
ther' II" was not vet deaf and could en-
.;y the harmony OF his own compositions In
later years. even this cOn>o. alton was denied
him.
One winter evening I called upon him,
h"N'n" TO persuade HIM to take a walk, and
return with me to supper. found him sit
tin" at the window in the moonlight, without
fire or candle, ms face concca!edin his hands
and his whole frame shiveriny with cold, for
1t was freezing hard. | drew him from his
letharEv. purSnadcd him to accompany me,
and cxh"rtcd him to shake oil his sadness
He came ont with me but was dark and de-
>palrn@ on that evening, and refused all con
ISOLATION.
i hnte the world said he with a passion.
i hate myself. No one understands me or
cares about me have genius and am treat
ed like rsriah | have a heart. and 40 one
10 love. lam comr!rtc, ni>rraole.'
m,!r no reply. IL WIS u>clr>, to dispute
with Beethoven. and let Lim continue in
the sam" strain H. did not cease till we re
entered III" city, and then he r,lar>ed into
sal silence. We crossed dark narrow street
near the gate OF Cpbleniz. Ali at once he
stopped.
'iin>h " said he what Is TIA. nc>o y
listened. and heard the FAINT tones of IN
distance. 1t was plaintlve melody in triple
time. and, notwithstanding the poverty of
the instrument. the performer gave this piece
great tenderness OF expression.
Beethoven looked at me with sparkling
ewes. 1T is from my symphony in f.. sad he ::
here is the house. Listen; how well it is
played
The house was poor and humble, and a
ll"ht gimmered through the chinks of the
shutter. H., stopped to listen. In the mid
die OF The tlralc there was a sudden inter
,upion, silence for moment, then stillcd
voice was heard
heard!
i cannot 20 on said female voice :!
ran 90 no farther this evening. Frederick.
'Whv, si>,rr?'
Il scarcely know. unless it is hrcaucc the
composition IS so beautiful that feel incapa-
blc OF doing Justice to it. am so fond of
music. Oh what wonld not give to hear
that piece played by some one who could do
It n>ticc.
.Ah, dear sister, said Frederick. schinc.
one must be rich to procure that enjoyment
What is the use OF regrc'ting when there is
no help for it We can scarcely paw our
rent: why think OF things far bcyond our
reach y
'ion are right, Frederick and vet when
| am PLAYING | lorc once in my life TO hear
good ma>ic well executed But it is useless,
it is useless"
There was something s;ngularlv tourhing
in the tone and repetition OF the last words
Brehoven looked at me Let Us enter said
he abruptly.
Enter SAID /; why shouII We entcr?'
Il will play to her. replied he with vivaci-
tv. 'Shc has feeling, genius, intelligence |
will play to her, and she will appreciate me.
And before | could prevent him, his hand
was on the door 1t was not locked, ard o.
pencd immediately followed him across a
dark corridor, towards hat-opened door at
the right. He pushed it, and we found our
selves in poor destitute room, with little
stove At Ci.c end, and some coarse furniture
\ pale youEg man was seated at table,
working at shoe. Near him, bending in a
manner over an old piano, was a young
GIRL. Both were cleanly. but very poorly
dressed; they rose and turned towards us as
we entered.
Pardon mo-. SAID Bcethovcn somcwha
embarrassed. pardon me. but | heard music
and was tempted to enter am a musician :"
The Girl hlushed. and the Young man as
sumed crave, almost severe manner.
i heard also some of your words contin-
ued nv friend lou wish to hear-that is,
Won would lke-in short. would YOU like me
to play to YOU: ::
Their vas something 50 strange. 50 abrupt
so comical in the whole affair, and some
thing SO agreeable acd eccentric in the man.
ncrs OF him who had spoken. that the ice was
broken in an Instant, ard all involuntariIy
smiled
Thank YOU said the Young shoemaker,
but our piano is bad, and then we have no
music "
No music" repeated my friend; how
then did Mademoisele--' he stoppcd and
colored: for the young girl had turned to-
wards him. and by her sad veled eyes he
saw that she VS. blind.
II entreat you to pardon me but did
not remark at first stammerod he. 'Yon
,lav from memory
'Entirely.'
And where have you heard this music be-
fore ~
Il heard lady who was neichhor at
Bruhl. two wears AGO. During the summer