Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1856-11-06
EDWARD C.GooDWIN, Editor ana Pnbiisher.
From the German.
Desthoyen and the Blind Girl !.

Desthoysn and the Blind Girl
Some months ago / was at Bonn, the birth
place Of Beethoven met there an old mu-
stefan, who had known the iIustrions composer
intimately aud from him | received the fol
lowing anecdote 80
You know z said be, that Beethoven was
! born IN q house IN the Rhein Strasse, but at
the. time / became acquainted with him he
lodged over q humble little shop in Roemer-
platz He was then very poor, SO poor that
he only went out to walk at night, because OF
the diIapidated state Of bis elothing. Never
theless, he had piano, pens, paper, ink, and
books and notwithstanding bis privations, he
passed some happy moments there. He was
not yet deaf and could enjoy the harmony OF
his own compositions. In later years, even this
consolation was denied him.
Que winter cysning I called upon him,
hoping to persnade him to take walk, and
return with me to supper. 4 found him sitting
I 1t the window III the moonlight, without FIRE
Or candle, his face concealed In his hands, and
his whole frame shivering with cold, for it was
freezing hard drew him from his lethargy,
persuaded him TO accompany me-, and cxhortcd
nlln to shake on his sadness. He came out
with me but was dark and despairing on that
evening, and refused all consolation.
~ hate the world, 2 said be in q passion, 1
hate myself. No one understands me or cares
about me have genius and am treated like
y pariah have q heart and no one to love.
I nm completely miserable" sia
!" made no reply. II was always useless
to dispute with Beethoven, and let him cog
tinue in the same strain He did not cease
till we re-entered the city, and then he relapsed
into sad silence We crossed dark narrow
street near the gate Of Coblentz. All at once
he stopped. s-.s5s.ass.s s. o.sss.ss
Hush 4 said he, what is that noise p
"Ilistened, and heard the faint tones OF an
old piano issuing from some house at a little
distance. It was q plaintive melody in triple
time, and, Notwithstanding the poverty Of the
instrument, the performer gave to the piece
great tenderness Of expression.
-" Beethoven looked at me with sparkling
eyes. 1t Is taken from my symphony IN F.
said he F; here is the house. Listen how
well it is played
"The house was poor and humble, and
light glimmered through the chinks of the shut
ter. lie stopped to listen. In the middle of
the finale there was sudden interruption, ST.
lence for q moment, then o stiied voice was
heard.
I cannot 60 on said woman's voice, l
| can go no farther this evening, Frederick
~ Why, sister Y - vars.
Il scarcely know, unless it is because the
composition is so.bcautfnl that feel incapable
Of doing Justice to It. / am so fond Of music.
O what would not give to hear that piece
| PLAYED by some one who could do it justice
'Ah, dcar sister, said Frederick, signing,
| one must be rich to procure that enjoyment.
| What is the use Of regretting when there is
| no help fer it! We can scarcely pay our rent F;
why think Of things far beyond our reach =
You are right Frederick aud yet when |
am playing long once in my life to hear good
music well executed. But it is useless it is
useless 7 a,s se- -at4
"There was something singularly touching
in the tone and repetition OF the three last
words.
| Beethoven looked at me. Let us enter,
said he, abruptly. :.
Enter 7 said 1. why should we enter 2
Il will play to her. he replied, with vyacity
She has feeling, genius intelligence. will
play to her and she will appreciate me-
Aud before l conld prevent him. his hand
was on the door. 1t was not locked. and
opened Immediately. l followed him across q
dark corridor, towards half open door at the
right. He pushed it, and we found ourselves
In poor destitute room, with little stove a
one end, and some coarse furniture. A pal
yong man was seated at q table, working at I
shoe. Near him, bending in a manner over al
old piano was young girl. Both were clean
", but very poorly dressed they rose an'
turned towards as as We entered.
Pardon me- said Beethoven, somewhat en-
barrassed, pardon me, but heard music. ant
was tempted to enter / am musician
|" The girl sblnshcd, and the young man as
sumed a grave, almost severe manner.
Il heard also some Of your words, continues
nv friend. You wish to hear-that is, yo
would like lin short, would you like me to pla
to your a,
aThere was something so strange, so at
!, rupt, SO comical, in the whole affair." that tn
. ice was broken in an instant, and oil involur
tarily smiled *. a.s ~ss y .ses s.,
: Thank you,' said the young shoemaker
sbut our piano is bad, and then we have n
i r,..;. q 7fss~@ as9asl saa ssa = ~ sss *is reh
D No music I repeated my friend, how the
\ did Mademoisclle- aa Is " siaeas
! "He stopped and colorcd for the youn
girl had Just turned towards him. and by he
!, sad yelled eyes he saw that she was blind. -
Ill entrcat yon to pardon me, he stan
lmcred, butt did not remark ut first. No
Iplay from memory r 1885, 8 asi, %,
8 sEntirely. =. IS. :, ..l 'sss.a'' a.sss-s 90
And where hare you heard this music b
Ill - -