The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1856-11-07
BEETHOVEN AND rHn BLIND GIRL
IRON ruE GERMAN.

was born ~ house IN the hhein Rhine /
Street, but at the time i became ac-
1uainted with him he lodged over hum |
Bile little shop in Romerplatz. lie was
then very poor--so poor that he only |
went out to walk at night, because Of the |
state Of his clothing. Never
theless, re had piano, pens, paper and
ink; Notwithstanding hi. privations, he
passed some happy moments there. He
was not yet deaf, and could enjoy the
harmony of his compositions. In latter
years, even this consolation was denied
him.
One winter evening called upon him.
hoping to persuade him to take a walk,
and return with me to supper. : foaud
him sitting az the window in tho moon
light, without hre Or candle, his face con
cealed in his hands, and his whole frame
shivefiug 9Th cold. for il was freezing
hard l drew him from bis letbargy, per
suaded him to accompany me, and exhort-
ed him to shake of his sadness. Ae came
out with me, but it was dark .desparing
on that evening, and refused all consola-
ton
u hate the world" said he with a
passion, hate myself, No one under.
stands me or cares about me have
genius and am treated like a pariah l
have a heart, and no ore to love. am
completely miserable.
made no reply. 1t was useless TO
dispute with Beethoven; and let him
continue in the same train.
He did not cease till we entered the
city, and then he relapsed into sad ST.
lence. We crossed park, narrow street
near the gate Of Colbentz. All at once
he stopped.
Hush !" said he, what is that noiseY
listened, and heald the faint tones
Of an old piano issuing from some house
at little distance II was plaintive
melody in triple time, and notwithstand-
ing the poverty of the instrument, the
performer gave the piece tenderness of
expression.
Beethoven looked at me with spark
ling eyes. 1T is from my symphony in
F., said he - here is the house. List
en- how well it Is displayed"
The house was poor and humble, and
light glimmered through the chinks Of
the shutter. He stopped to listen In
the middle Of the finale there was a sud
den interruption, silence for a moment,
and ther stided voice was heard.
" cLa not 90 on, I" said female voice.
g can go no farther this evening, Fred
rick"
"Why, sister %
" scarcely know, unless it is because
the composition is so beautiful that feel
incapable of doing justice to IT, an so
fond of music. Oh ! what would l not
give to hear that piece played by some
one who could do it Justice"
a" All, dear sister" said Fredrick,
signing, one must be rich to procure that
enjoyment. What is the use of regret
ting when there is no help for it 4? We
can scarcely pay our rent Why think Of
things far beyond our reach ?
You are right, Fredrick and yet
when ] am playing long once in my life
to hear good music we'll executed. But
il is useless '
There was something singularly touch
ing in the tone and repetition of the last
words.
beethoven looked. "Let us enter, said
he abruptly.
" Enter" said I; "why should we
enter ?"
Il will play to her." replied he with
lvivacity. "She has feeling, genius, in.
teligence 1 will play to her, and che
will appreciate me. And before could
prevent him, his hand was on the door,
1t was not locked and opened immediate
! ly. 1 followed him across dark corri-
dor toward half-opened door at the
right, He pushed it, and we found our
selves in poor, destitute room, with a
little stove at one end, and some coarse
furniture. A pale young man was seat
ed alta table working at a shoe. Near
him, bending in manner over an old pi-
ano was young girl. Both were clean
ly, but very poorly dressed. They rose
and turned toward US as we entered.
" Pardon me-" said Beethoven, some-
what embarrassed, pardon me. but
heard music, and was tempted to enter
| am a musician
The girl blushed. aDl the young man
assumed a grave, almost severe manner.
Z" heard also some of your words"
continued my friend. You wish TO hear,
that is, you would like--in short, would
you like me to play to you 2 at-
There was something so strange. sa
abrupt, so eomical in the whole affair,
and something 50 agreeable and eccentric
in the manners Of him who had spoken,
that the ice was broken IN an instant, and
all involhntarlly smiled
{" Thapk you" said Che young shoe
maker, but our piano is bad, and then we
have no music
No music r. repeated my friend
how then did Mademoisellie--- he stop
ped for the young girl had turned tow
ard him, and by her sad, yeiled eyes he
saw that she was blind
ell entreat YOU to PARDON mo but
/ did not remark 81 FIRST. !" stammered he.
You play from memory 9
Entirely"
And where have you heard this mus
sic before ?" fih
7 heard a lady who was neighbor
at Bruhli Two wears aorb 2 nufikrf fha